The young Robb Clarke got his initial introduction to the great scriptures of thrashrock when an older friend (Mike Sharman) turned him on to an 8-track tape of the first New York Doll album. "After that, it was just all down hill", says Robb. "I started exchanging 8-tracks and the next one I got was RAW POWER".

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He remembers sitting at home listening to the Iggy and The Stooges classic through headphones and thinking. "I've arrived. My stomache got warm and I said 'Holy shit, this is the kind of music that I want to do'".

Not that there was a straight line from Robb's quasi-religious experience and the formation of the mighty RC5. He'd sung for punk outfits such as ZIPGUN and AMA ,(not to mention The TRIDS in 82', a punk/glam band among metal bands of Lake Hills) before he and like minded guitarist Todd Ohashi got together in 1997. While their love for the likes of Johnny Thunders and James Williamson got the band going, the RC5 sound incorporates lots of musical genres, they both agree. "Those are mobvious influences of ours, but everybody in the band pulls from way different things", says Todd, who admits his first 8-track was Permanent Waves by Rush. "They're a well-rounded thrashrock entity", quips Robb.

Bassist Jason Freeman says he prefers to check out the influences of the bands that influenced him. Instead of learning Thunders licks, "I'll go all the way back to Chuck Berry or Howlin Wolf-steal from the originals".

And drummer Erick Erickson has a fine local trashrock resume of his own-including stints with Crisis Party (who released a 1989 album on Metal Blade) and gender bending glamsters Poison Bone.

But you don't have to call it trashrock-the RC5 plays AMERICAN ROCK n ROLL. At least thats the title of their new 20 track compilation on Scotlands twenty Stone Blatt label. These songs were recorded with local producer JACK ENDINO and have appeared ona trio of vinyl EP's, most notably 1998's You're Gonna Pay on Small Town records. Most are the result os an early 1998 recording session (featuring original bassist BOB RIES), in which the band "went in the studio with Jack and ripped out 15 to 18 tracks live". recalls Robb.

Since then, the RC5 have survived a six-month hiatus and a brief stint as a five piece with a different bassist and guitarist(Steve E Nix). All these changes gave the band a bit of a bad reputation with record labels. before agreeing to put out a split 7-inch release with the RC5 and the Gloryholes, the Dirtnap records representative gave Robb the third degree: "Are you really a band now?" But the new line-up is working great live and the band members say they are eager to record again. "We're definately back on course," says Robb.

The band has a couple of tours to it's credit: a solo West coast swing and a Midwest and European tour each with ZEKE, which was eventful, if not memorable. "Gosh, do you remember anything?" Robb asks Todd. "I just remember coming back and feeling 10 years older". Upon further prompting, the band contributes the amusing tale of ZEKE's Donnie and Mark storming off the stage during a Chicago show and kicking the crap out of eachother in the clubs basement. "They forced us to play," says Robb. "They said ' You guys are on now, we're through for the night.'"

Of course, several non-RC5 stories also rate: Jason tells of being 86'd from the Ditto tavern while playing as a member of a joke band because he kept lifting up his dress and flashing the audience (don't ask). He remembers hearing the club owner shout, "Get that goddamn exhibitionist out of here" just before his sudden departure. "I flipped him off as I tore the dart board out of the wall on the way out", recalls Jason.

Erick relates the story of practising with Poison Bone for several weeks without ever being told about the band's cross- dressing stage show. At the first live gig, "Jimmy and DJ run to the van and come out as women," he recalls.

After a couple of shows, he was inspired to join in after watching an obscenity-spouting jerk being thrown out of the club for threatning his bandmates. "If you can piss someone off that much," it's worth the effort, he says. Unfortunately, Poison Bone never quite figured out the right direction for the band, he says. "We experimented with alot of psychedelic music." ".....and a lot of women's lingerie," adds Robb.

Erick even adds a tale from Crisis Party's very famous trip to LA in 1989 to liven up the Metal Blade Christmas Party. The band got thrown out for, among other things harrasing bassist Billy Sheehan of the David Lee Roth Band. Erick claims the incident was clearly justified: Billy Rock Star arrived wearing spandex pants with paint spatters,rags tied around his legs, and a red leather jacket. "It was impossible not to laugh at him," he recalls.

Back on the trashrock front, the fellas have kind words for the late Green River and the Humpers, sing the praises of the Dead Boys' Young Loud and Snotty ("It's one of the chapters of the bible, says Robb), and admit to owning more than a few collectors-only live recordings by their various faves.

But all remain horrified by the goofiest re-issue yet-a recent box set which includes every take from the recording sessions for the STOOGES' FUNHOUSE, mistakes and all. "I wouldn't have the patients for it," grumbles Jason.

Robb swears it's the first time he's even heard of the concept. "Oh my god, he says. " The only word that comes to mind right now is "relapse".

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