Symbol Six

Symbol Six

Symbol Six 2015
Background information
Origin Santa Monica, California, United States
Genres Punk rock, Rock 'N' Roll
Years active 1980–1982, 2010–present
Labels Dr Strange Records, Posh Boy, Jailhouse Records, Symbol Six Music
Associated acts The Atoms, Aces & Eights, Decry, Shanghai, Stahlin, SIN 34, Entropy, Carnage Asada, Rock City Angels, The Bellrays
Website www.symbolsix.com
Members Eric Leach
Phil George
Evan Shanks
Tony Fate
Past members Donny Brook
Mark Conway
Steve Cooper
Taz Rudd

Symbol Six is an American rock and roll band formed in Santa Monica, California in 1980 by Eric Leach, Phil George, Mark Conway, Donny Brook (original bass player for Necros), Taz Rudd, and Steve Cooper. Originating right in the heart of Los Angeles / Orange County Punk rock in California, they quickly moved up the ranks with the average age of the band members being only 15 years old. Playing notorious clubs such as the[1]Cuckoo's Nest (Costa Mesa, Ca.),[2] Godzillas (Sun Valley, Ca.), and Bards Apollo (South Central, Los Angeles). Symbol Six quickly started to establish themselves as an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with. Symbol Six played with Social Distortion, Bad Religion, T.S.O.L., 45 Grave, Youth Brigade, Descendents, RF7 and Agent Orange in the burgeoning punk movement of California.

History

In November 1981, Robbie Fields, owner and founder of Posh Boy Records was looking for the "next big thing" to sign and produce, turning to[3] Michele Flipside of Flipside for advice. She told Robbie, "You need to check out Symbol Six." In Dec 1981, Robbie went to a band rehearsal and immediately booked them in the studio to record and produce their self-titled debut EP,[4]Symbol Six. The album was recorded at Brian Elliot studios in North Hollywood, Ca. with[5] engineer David Hines(died in 1994, car accident) and[6] co-producer, Jay Lansford, guitarist for the Simpletones and the Stepmothers. The album was completed in 3 days with front cover artwork by Jim Evans of Skateboarder / Cadillac Wheels fame. Back cover photos were taken by wrld famous music photographer Edward Colver. The EP was debuted on The World Famous KROQ-FM's Rodney Bingenheimer show in April 1982 and rapidly became a staple in the regular rotation.[7] The album was named a top pick in Billboard Magazine in 1982, "Full of sound and fury is SYMBOL SIX, a new five-man band from Southern California. They play the four songs here with punk exuberance, keeping everything simple but with high excitement quotient". Symbol Six was distributed world-wide by Green World and is still a popular selling collector’s item today. Sadly, shortly afterwards due to musical differences and ironically, egos, Symbol Six self-imploded.[8] In 1988, album was re-released on a compilation Split with Agent Orange's masterpiece, Living in Darkness.

Aftermath

In 1984, Eric Leach and Taz Rudd formed the short-lived Hollywood sleaze band[9] Stahlin with Izzy Stradlin - Guns N' Roses. Shortly after, Eric and Taz along with Brent Muscat - Faster Pussycat, Patrick Muzingo, and Todd Muscat - Decry formed the rock n’ roll punk band Shanghai. Playing all over LA with bands L.A. Guns, Guns N' Roses, Faster Pussycat, The Joneses, and Flower Leperds.

They were spotted by the legendary neon knight of sleaze, Kim Fowley, infamous producer of The Runaways, KISS, Alice Cooper, etc. at the famed The Troubadour. After seeing their performance he asked, "Are you ready to make a record?!" They immediately moved into with Kim Fowley and began writing and recording songs. David Leibert, Alice Cooper’s road manager, was recruited to come in to handle the day to day babysitting chores. Shanghai played the re-opening of the Whisky a Go Go in April 1986 with Guns N' Roses and Faster Pussycat.[10] Their last show was at The Scream in LA in 1987, with the band disbanding due to many unmentionable factors.

Eric Leach went on to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Ca., majoring in Fine Art Illustration.

Taz Rudd was detained by the state of California for 10 years where he had the band Wrecklords consisting of members of Chantee's (Pipeline), Jim Gordon of Derek and the Dominos. He went on to play in Atoms, Der Stab, Funeral, Flower Leperds, Voodoo Church, Decry, Pirates of Venus, Shanghai, Rock City Angels, and[11] Aces & Eights(formed with Phil George and Evan Shanks) which performed at The Viper Room in August 2009 joined on stage by Slash and Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses.

Reformation

In 2010, all the original members decided to get back together. The next day they met at That British Place Rehearsal Studios in Santa Monica and started writing and playing new material. Working with engineer, Jimmy Sloan,[12] they released their self produced debut LP, "Monsters 11" on Symbol Six Music. Track 10 on the album, "Slave", features cellist Kirk Canning, who is also featured on Nirvana (band)'s album, Nevermind, "Something in the Way".[13] Donny Brooks was soon replaced by Evan Shanks (Entropy) on Bass and Mark Conway was replaced by Tony Fate (The Bellrays , the Grey Spikes) in 2011.[14] Symbol Six joined fellow alumni The Crowd for Rhino Entertainment - Warner Music Group Posh Boy Night at Rhino Records pop-up store in Los Angeles, California in June 2011 to help raise money for the charitable organization MusiCares. 2012 has generated a lot of buzz for Symbol Six. Playing with such acts as Fear, Jello Biafra, Lower Class Brats, The Adicts and many others. Symbol Six went back into studio with Phillip (Philco) Raves of Mystic Records fame to record their third album Dirtyland end of summer 2012.[15] Symbol Six appeared live in Hollywood on Nov 15th 2012 with Nick Oliveri of Dwarves (band), Mondo Generator, and Queens of the Stone Age performing Turbonegro's "Back To Dungaree High"[16] In 2011, Dr. Strange Records in Alta Loma, Ca. negotiated with Posh Boy Records and re-released original and unreleased tracks on 12" vinyl in Feb 2013. The released album also included a version of, The Weirdos, 'The Hideout', one of the band's biggest influences. Publishing a tribute video as well honoring them. Symbol Six was signed to Jailhouse Records March 1, releasing a compilation split with Fang (band), 2013, a compilation split with Rikk Agnew, 2015 and their third studio album, 'Dirtyland', in 2014.

Band members

Current members
Former members

Films

1982, Symbol Six was interviewed and performed in the documentary The Slog Movie shot and directed by Dave Markey with Circle One, Wasted Youth, Red Cross, TSOL, The Chiefs, SIN 34, Fear, Circle Jerks, Henry Rollins, Chuck Dukowski, Robo & Dez Cadena (Black Flag).[17][18]

[19]

Publications

[20] American Hardcore: A Tribal History

[21] Kim Fowley talks about working with Shanghai.

[22] Eric Leach interview in Last One To Die.

[23] WE GOT POWER!: Hardcore Punk Scenes from 1980s Southern California Symbol Six History and Photos.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Flipside, Michele. "Symbol Six Cuckoo's Nest". www.flipsidemagazine.com.
  2. ↑ Flipside, Michele. "Symbol Six at Godzilla's". www.flipsidemagazine.com.
  3. ↑ Flipside, Michele. "Michele Flipside". www.flipsidefanzine.com.
  4. ↑ "Symbol Six on Posh Boy Records". www.poshboy.com.
  5. ↑ "Engineer- David Hines". www.discogs.com.
  6. ↑ Flipside, Michele. "Jay Lansford at Posh Boy Records recording". www.flipsidefanzine.com.
  7. ↑ Billboard Magazine - Top Picks, Billboard Magazine
  8. ↑ "Symbol Six/Agent Orange Split Release". recordcollectorsoftheworldunite.com.
  9. ↑ Flipside, Michelle. "Eric, Taz, and Izzy in Stahlin". www.flipsidefanzine.com.
  10. ↑ http://www.w-axl-rose.com/Venues/1986/1986.html
  11. ↑ "Aces & Eights at The Viper Room". YouTube.
  12. ↑ http://www.thenewkingsound.com/contact_us.htm
  13. ↑ http://www.nirvanaclub.com/nfa/satan.html
  14. ↑ Lewis, Randy. "Rhino Pop Up Store". LA Times. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Dr Strange Release". Dr. Strange.
  16. ↑ "Back to Dungaree High by Turbonegro - Performed live by Symbol Six and Nick Oliveri". You Tube. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  17. ↑ "Slog Movie". MVD Entertainment Group.
  18. ↑ "The Slog Movie". We Got Power Films.
  19. ↑ Blush, Steven (2001). American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Feral House. p. 390. ISBN 9781932595895.
  20. ↑ Blush, Steven (2001). American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Feral House. p. 390. ISBN 9781932595895.
  21. ↑ Essington, Michael (2011). Last One to Die. Kicks Books. pp. 180–184. ISBN 9780965977760.
  22. ↑ Fowley, Kiml (2012). Lord of Garbage. Essex Digital Meda. pp. 180–184. ISBN 978-1466215467.
  23. ↑ Markey, Dave; Schwartz, Jordan (2012). WE GOT POWER!: Hardcore Punk Scenes from 1980s Southern California. Bazillion Points. ISBN 978-1-935950-07-3.
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