January 1985, The Last Issue*

This is it. Started in 1978 , ended in 1985. (* there were two more in 2002, more about that in the future) More Politics as Ronnie Reagan was elected to a second term. Rev. Joe continued in Garageland , The Clash , always a mainstay, were featured as they played in 84 at The Centrum. Yellowman got his due after a show I went to at The Channel,The Odds on two comps, but still never released that elusive 45 rpm record. Willie Loco Alexander continued his legendary career with the release of an ep. And I promised to be on the scene throughout 1985 to keep you informed, but now, as you can see, that did not happen. It was a great leaning experience publishing this fanzine over the seven years of it's existence, and I hope all the readers , then and now, learned a thing or two about Wormtown, rock n roll, and general state of our world.

Radio Update!!!

I forget to mention, The Worm Bros, along with Capt PJ will be ON THE AIR Thursday, May 1st at 8pm on WCUW 91.3 fm, Guess what we'll be playing.............

Somewhere in 1984

I said in the previous post this would be the last issue, but I found another unpublished, undated copy from 1984. So for you, the loyal readers, this is a bonus. More politics of the day, The Gang of Four on a farewell tour, The Del Fuegos sign with Slash records for an LP. Paul Weller gets his "Style" on, Muffy and the Patroits look for gigs and release a tape, and The Rev. Joe Longone opens the door to Garageland .

January 1984, The End is Near

This is the only edition published in 1984. It's sort of a look back at 1983, and a glimpse of the future. New bands on the scene were The Actions, The Creatures of Habit, and Muffy and the Patriots. The Odds are still threatening to release a 45, and The Performers win tape of the year award. Sorry, no Turtle. The New Clash debut, and Mick Jones works with Ranking Roger and Dave Wakeling of General Public. I don't remember why I gave up writing for the year. But this is it, next post is the final Wormtown Press of the era.

The Classic Ruins join in the fun

Big News!!!! Boston Rock legends The Classic Ruins have signed on to The 30th Anniversary as special guests on Saturday May 3rd. One of the best and longest running bands from that city now count Wormtowns' own Jeff Crane as a member. So come early because they are on first at 9:30 pm.
Read their history at http://www.rockinboston.com/classicr.html
Listen to their songs at http://www.myspace.com/classicruins

November 1983, War Is Hell

This is the last issue of 1983. And as it turns out, one of the last issues of the Wormtown Press. Funny how we were at war then and are now, lead by the same ideals and cronies as Ronnie. History repeats itself. In the most devastating way. So to hell with war, lets rock! The Creatures of Habit debut, and Muffy and the Patriots look for the American Dream. Unattached call it quits, and Jamie's playing Ralph's Friday 4/25 with The Fighting Cocks. Have we come full circle?

August 1983, One Step Behind

Four BIG pages. The Madness show at EM Lowes was cancelled due to lack of ticket sales. Just read how pissed I was. The English Beat split up. XTC stop touring. Foghorn from The Aggressions is booking The Cove. Smithereens open for The Odds, and they return the favor in New Jersey. Johnny Ramone becomes a street fighting man, Nancy Reagan hates Wormtown. Peter Dayton, ex of La Peste releases a cassette ep. New PIL stuff on the way and MTV is coming to cable in Worcester.

July 1983, Cruel Summer

This issue deals with the fact that Xit is closed, Ralph's was boring, The Cove was being sold and the scene was dying due to lack of support. We've always had our ups and downs, so this was a lull in the action. But, The Performers had some new stuff on the radio, Madness was booked to play EM Lowes, and there were new records out by UB40, The Fleshtones, Replacements and a brand new comp called "Battle of the Garage Bands II" that had a cut on it by The Odds. So all was not lost.

May 1983, Five years of Wormtown

This issue celebrates the 5th anniversary, and here we are on the cusp of the 30th. Boy, where did the years go? Xit closes, again, but only for the summer. The Foaming Agents call it quits, The Hollywood Hollowbodies play Xit, before it closed. The Odds plan to release a 45........again........ but that never happened. Toots and the Maytals played Wormtown, The Chain Reactions play Ralph's.
And The Nebulas were in the WBCN Rock n Roll Rumble. 2008 is the 30th year of the The Rumble too. And Newbury Comics is 30 this year also. I should have teamed up with them for sponsorship, but I think we'll have more fun with Narragansett Beer.

Two Weeks to Go!!

And we're ready to Rock. Last night at Ralph's Scott McLennan from the Telegram met up with us for a feature he's doing to be published on May 1st. Many Gansetts were consumed and all had a great time. So make sure you are there May 2nd and 3rd, and you'll have a great time too.

March 1983, In Living Color

Look at this issue. Two color printing. How do they do that? Featuring this time The Chain Reactions, one of the first bands fronted by Artie Sneiderman. The Reflectors, former members of The Nervous Eaters, The Chesterfield Kings play Xit, and they have a new CD out now on Wicked Cool Records called Psychedelic Sunrise. The Del Fuegos play Xit alot, and The Odds strike a deal with Bomp to be on the Battle Of the Garage Bands comp.

February 1983, and More Wormtown Rock on WURN

This month featuring The Performers, who'll be reuniting once again on May 3rd at Ralph's for the 30th Anniversary. Look at how young they were in the photo. WCUW does a live broadcast from Xit. Flipper and D.O.A. release new records. X from LA play EM Lowes. So did The Foaming Agents and Unattached. And Ronnie shows you how to avoid injury during a nuclear attack.
New on WURN.org part two of Wormtown Rock Spectacular with live stuff from The Planet Mental CD release party with The Numbskulls and Bottlefight. Also some live stuff from Dirty Walters' new band, Natural Disaster at The Lucky Dog. Plus alot of other great music made right here in Worcester.
Listen here www.wurn.org

January 1983, All Text, No Pics

This issue is all writing and no funny pictures. I like the ones with funny pictures. So look ahead, or back, at what was in store for Wormtown, and The Real Kids, Dead Kennedys, Boys Life and the end of Stiff Little Fingers and Mission of Burma, who now, in the new, millennium are both back recording and performing.

Wormtown 30th Hype,and Blog Note

Only a few weeks left until the Big Party at Ralph's. The T shirts are on order, and you're going to want one.
A note on the blog, this week we start looking back at 1983. This will be the last year that has multiple issues. There are only a couple issues left after 1983. There will be other things to reminisce about, but the press is just about done.

The End Of 1982, More Leftovers

I found another issue that was never published, from the end of 82. The Prefab Messiahs were up and comers of the year, and you can see them with Bobb Trimble at The Wormtown 30th on May 3rd, along with The Odds and Performers. at Ralph's... I really don't remember why this never went to press, but you can read it here and now.

December 1982 Get your Aggressions Out

The Aggressions come into their own, The Real Kids return to Wormtown, Xit named club of the year, The English Beat in Boston, The Nebula's go world wide via Rounder Records, Sleepy La Beef's latest LP, and my solution to the MX Missile crisis.

November 1982, Rock This Town

The Stray Cats are back, The Psychedelic Furs in Boston. The Odds change their line up. Lot of good shows at Xit, Barry Manilow will make you sick at The Centrum. And The Jam break up. and on a more recent note , The Worm Bros went to Cambridge this past weekend to see Carbon Silicon, Mick Jones and Tony James new outfit. (new meaning to the USA, they've been together now for five years) I had a chance to interview them both and record their set. It'll be up at wurn.org soon.

Remembering Ralph

A long time ago, in the old days, Ralph use to close his establishment for about two weeks after New Years to take a well needed vacation. After once such episode, he came into my print shop and had me run this job for him, drawn by Steve Toomey. Don't forget to stop by the Diner this Saturday, April 5, and raise one for Ralph.

September 1982, Bye Bye Wormtown

Well, that was the editorial in the Telegram the day after The Centrum opened in September of '82. If you thought I was hard on The Handover Theatre opening, read this. Also, Xit reopens, under new management and it was back to business with all kinds of great music. Ed King was out as governor, The Clash were out as a band. Willie Loco and the Confessions release a new record and Unattached snag a new manager. And just in time for the 30th , make your own Odds button!