THE UNCLAIMED
You can read the full story of the Unclaimed at the unofficial website at:
http://web.tiscalinet.it/wrongway/shelley/index.htm
But, in short, when I moved out here in 1979, they were one of the first bands that I saw and I was knocked out by them! Here was a band that was doing the Sonics and Chocolate Watchband songs (among other, way more obscure tunes!) that I thought I was the only person who knew! Turned out they were nice guys too, and after an attempt to put together a band of my own, I ended up joining them in 1981. This is the band that started everything in LA for Rich Coffee and I thank them for giving me my start!
When I joined, I was playing second guitar and keyboard, along with Shelley Ganz (vocals/guitar), Sid Griffin (guitar/vocals), Barry Shank (bass) and Matt Roberts on drums. In less than a year, Barry & Sid quit to form the Long Ryders and we recruited Ray Flores on bass and went out as a four piece. This line up recorded the "Primordeal Ooze Flavored" mini-lp as well as some tunes that have never been released. By 1984, I decided to go my own way and formed Thee Fourgiven with Ray & Matt. Shelley continued with different lineups before breaking up the band during its first European tour!
Matt, Ray, Shelley, Rich
Matt, Barry, Rich, (seated) Shelley, Sid
Flier for the show where I first saw the Unclaimed
(Pippin's Pub) with an early version of the Bangs (not listed)
The Unclaime play with the Cramps!
One of my fliers for the Unclaimed
An amazing Matt flier - one of the shows with the Salvation Army & Bangs opening for us!
