Playing With American Hardcore Punk Band “Ill Repute” in Ventura, California

This experience was very cool, with a lot of memories on several levels. First, Ill Repute is a great punk band, and the band members are genuine. Their love for music is what drives them, and playing a show with them was very inspiring, aka awesome.

A little background on Ill Repute in case you weren’t alive in the '90s or weren’t into the punk scene: Ill Repute is an American hardcore punk band from Oxnard, California, formed in 1981. They first broke onto the scene with their song “Clean Cut American Kid” on Poshboy Records for Rodney on the ROQ, Volume III.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ill_Repute)

It was the summer of 1992. We were all living in Ventura and Oxnard, California. A normal day started off surfing in the morning and then going to a gig or rehearsal in the evening. I was playing in a few bands around Ventura, including one called "Lion I's" with a three-piece horn section. The guys from Ill Repute asked me and Alan, our trumpet player, to do a show with them in Ventura at a bar called The Bermuda Triangle.

In their set of originals, they were also playing some Bob Marley songs, but in classic punk style. They thought it would be cool to have horns on those tracks, so they asked Alan and me to play the show with them, trumpet and trombone. One Bob Marley song I remember doing with them was “Three Little Birds.” It turned out to be a great punk version, especially with horns. Of course, all the songs were played very fast and very loud. The energy and intensity in punk music is all out, all the time, and it's so much fun to play.

I’m not sure if we did any rehearsals with Ill Repute for this show, but Alan and I had the tunes and knew the horn lines. I remember talking with Tony, their guitar player, a few times before the show. You could tell he loved playing, that music was the most important thing above everything else. I’ve always felt this way too, so I was excited to play and knew how important it was to do a good job.

In punk music or any style you strive to do at a professional level, you always have to give each note of each song 110% of who you are inside. The composer of the song deserves this. The audience that paid to see you deserves this. And your band mates deserve it too. If you don’t give 110%, then find a way, or find something you truly love with all your heart that makes you want to give that much of yourself.

So, it’s the day of the show September 23rd, 1992. I’m on my way to the gig, driving north on Main Street. I wanted to get there a bit early to set up and hopefully go over the horn lines one more time with Alan. We also wanted to do a soundcheck with the band. As I’m about a mile away from the club, when suddenly I'm the middle car involved, in a three-car accident. My car is totaled. I’m okay, and my horn is okay. But time is ticking, and I needed to wrap up the accident paperwork and still find a way to get to the gig on time.

Of course, it was 1992, way before cell phones were affordable. I didn’t have a phone or even a quarter to use a pay phone to call Tony or Alan. What happened next was a bit of luck and kindness. The Police Officer who arrived and worked the crash noticed I still needed a way to the gig. He then said to me he could give me a ride to the gig if I wanted? I said yes, of course, thank you! He was very professional and drove me to the show.

When I arrived at The Bermuda Triangle, I rushed inside and was ready to say: “Hey, you won’t believe what just happened. I got in a three car accident, my car is totaled but I made it and I’m ready to do the gig!”

But in true punk style, Tony one upped me. He had just arrived, and his whole right hand was bandaged. All four fingers were wrapped with tape. I asked what the hell happened, are you okay? Tony laughed a little, then got serious. He said while he was working that afternoon with a saw, he accidentally sliced all four fingers at the tips. He didn’t lose any fingers, but they were still bleeding, and I could tell it hurt as he was warming up on the guitar. The gig was starting soon, but we all saw how committed he was to playing and doing the gig. I was blown away. I’ve had some injuries while playing, but not on that level. This inspired me to really go for it and play like it meant everything.

I knew I didn’t have a car anymore and no way to get to work or drive anywhere, but that would have to wait until after the gig. So for that show, I blocked out the car accident and was just happy I made it in time to play the gig. I said to myself, this is why I know I love music, and this is what I live for.

As start time got closer, we definitely felt a unique energy. Still very fast paced, loud, and intense, but it felt special. I was living in the moment. I felt it, it was like we were doing something that literally might stop any second, or it might be the last time we’d get to play these tunes, this way. As the show started I could see Tony playing his guitar through the pain, and everyone was giving it their all. Everyone wanted this show to happen, and on this day it did. It felt like we were rising to that next level of what it means to be a true musician.

With what happened just before the show, some people might’ve taken the easy way out and said, “Hey, I just got into a three car accident, I’m gonna have to miss the gig,” or “Hey, I just sliced the tips of my four fingers with a saw — I’m going to the hospital.” But no. All of us were there, committed to the music, and no one wanted to let the other band members down.

The show was awesome, the crowd loved it, and we had the best time. It was so much fun doing this show with Ill Repute. Alan and I had a blast and I wished we could’ve played all night.

Once the show was over, reality clicked in. How do I get home? How do I get my old car towed? How do I get another car with no money? But even with all of that, I knew it was going to be alright, as long as I still get to play music. Tony said he hand was sore but he was going to be ok. I wasn’t hurt too bad in the car accident, my horns weren’t damaged, and I had just finished one of the most fun shows I’ll remember for the rest of my life thanks to Tony and the band.

As a testament to how cool this show was, I still saved the original flyer, over 30 years later. Hard to believe.

Also, I think it was Tony who gave me one of their upcoming tour tee shirts. This is the actual shirt he gave me (still hanging on the Unique Dry Cleaners hanger, from Ventura, CA).

This story is dedicated to my band mate, best friend, and a screaming lead trumpet player I played hundreds of shows with, Alan Lomax. RIP.

As I look back on this experience, and many others like this, I realize how important music was, and is in my life. Everything took a backseat to music then. It wasn't until later in life that I learned how to balance my love for music with my goals, and with everything and everyone else in life.