speed of dark

Most people who have ever been interested in punk music hit that stage at about age 15. I was about 40. I was angry, I was on a severe diet and exercise campaign, and I just wanted to kick somebody's butt all the time. Punk music is great when you're angry and full of energy. What I learned as I got into it, however, is that punk music is FUNNY.

Indie-mom was too young to go to concerts at that time, so I went by myself. I drove a long way to get to venues in the L.A. area and often drove back the same night. I got used to being the oldest person in the place, the oldest person not accompanying their kid. I liked to be in the front, right against the stage, where I could feel the drums in my chest and see fingers on the strings. I remember the Queers' guitarist winking and flirting with me from the stage. I remember another lead singer eying me with obvious curiosity. He had to have thought, "Who IS this old lady, and HOW does she know all the words to our songs???"

One night I went to see Lit at the Hollywood Palace. Another band was supposed to open for them, but instead these four guys piled onto the stage and proceeded to bring the house down. They launched straight into a furious-paced punked-up version of "Barbie Girl," (orignially by the Europop group Aqua) John E. Trash and Adam Lohrbach trading hilarious bass and falsetto vocals.

My mouth fell open. "OMG!" I screamed at the young man next to me. "Who IS this? I LOVE them!"

"HomeGrown!" He yelled back above the noise. I was an instant fan. I eventually owned five of their CDs.

This was also the first time I heard "Surfer Girl," a true little gem. Adam acted out the lyrics, and the audience sang along.

The next time I saw HomeGrown in Pasadena, both Hoobastank and Limbeck opened for them. HomeGrown were the stars. Now those others are famous bands, and where is HomeGrown? The last posts on their web site and their MySpace page are from 2005, but there are some songs posted there. Adam has left the group. The other members have new bands.

HomeGrown is over. Enjoy these songs. Check the boogie-woogie bass at the 3:43 point in "Surfer Girl." I LOVE when Adam says, "Oh, that BITCH!" Those were the good old days.

HomeGrown - Barbie Girl from EP Phone Home (1999)

HomeGrown - Surfer Girl from That's Business (1995)