Cuckoo's Nest Club Punk Shows Jul - Sep 1981 (Part 5)

 Cuckoo's Nest Club Punk Shows (Part 5 of 6)
Jul - Sep 1981

by Hanson Meyer (hansonmeyer@yahoo.com)

Please understand that this is a work in progress as there is so much to add. So bear with me and check back regularly as I'm constantly adding to this blog. (Last revision 11/11/2023)

This article is the 5th Part of a Six Part series and details the chronological history of shows that occurred at the Cuckoo's Nest during the time period spanning from July through September 1981. The photo below was taken by Nick Adams of the band M.I.A. on a 110 instamatic camera.

Cuckoo's Nest View From the Street (photo by Nick Adams of MIA)

Cuckoo's Nest Comic made by one of the Club's Adoring Fans

 

JULY

Jerry Roach's Booking Calendar - July 1981

July 1, 1981 (Wed): The Flame Outs, Slinger, The Crooners

July 2, 1981 (Thu): Axcentric, Ampage (Metal Night)

July 2, 1981. Ticket and Photo for Ampage

at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 3, 1981 (Fri): China White, The Dischords

July 4, 1981 (Sat): 45 Grave, Legal Weapon, The Suspects

July 4, 1981. Flyer for Legal Weapon and 45 Grave

at the Cuckoo's Nest

 July 7, 1981 (Tue): Manson Youth, Shattered Faith, Duane Peters, Civil Defense

 

July 7, 1981. Ticket for Shattered Faith

at the Cuckoo's Nest

 July 8, 1981 (Wed): Last Stand, Primates, Rock Kandy (New Wave Night)

 July 9, 1981 (Thu): Charming Colors, Jerico Shakes, The Protons

 July 10, 1981 (Fri): TSOL, Minutemen, CH3

July 10, 1981. Flyer for TSOL, Minutemen, CH3 at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

 July 11, 1981 (Sat): The Crowd, The Hated, AKA

July 11, 1981. Flyer for the Crowd, The Hated, AKA

at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 14, 1981 (Tue): Confederate, Kronic Disorder, Men of Purpose. Chalmer Lumary fronted the band Kronic Disorder as the singer well before he signed on as the bass player for the Vandals. He started playing with the Vandals just after "When In Rome, Do As the Vandals" came out. The bass tracks on the album were played by Brent Turner. Here are some photos of Chalmer from that evening.

July 14, 1981 flyer for Confederate at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

July 14, 1981. Chalmer Lumary of Kronic Disorder

at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 15, 1981 (Wed): Red Brigade, Comintern, No Control, Decadants, MIA

July 15, 1981. Flyer for MIA, Comintern

at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 15, 1981 flyer for Comintern at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 15, 1981 Ticket for Comintern at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 15, 1981 flyer for No Conrol at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 16, 1981 (Thu): LA Sleeper, Odessa, Red Dog

July 17, 1981 (Fri): Fear, Detours, Lost Cause, Chiefs? (The Chiefs weren't on the calendar, but they appear on Fear's flyer)

July 17, 1981. Flyer for FEAR, Chiefs

at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

July 17, 1981. Flyer for FEAR, the Detours, Lost Cause

at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 17, 1981. Flyer for FEAR, Detours at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 17, 1981. Lost Cause on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 18, 1981 (Sat): Circle Jerks, Bad Actor, KAOS

July 18, 1981. Flyer for Circle Jerks at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 21, 1981 (Tue): The Suspects, The Squares, Civil Disobedience

July 23, 1981 (Wed): The Nu-Beams, The Hit, The Spiffs 

July 23, 1981. Flyer for the Spiffs at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 24, 1981 (Fri): Adolescents, Legal Weapon, The Vandals

The Vandals on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

July 25, 1981 (Sat): Black Flag, The Stains (L.A.), The Stains (Austin, TX). China White and the Dicks were also on the calendar, but not sure if they played. Although Henry would have likely been there, he wasn't ready to front Black Flag yet so Dez sang. Henry would make his debut for the band a little less than a month from this date.

 

July 25, 1981. Flyer for Black Flag, the Stains (LA), the Stains (Austin) at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 25, 1981. Flyer for Black Flag, the Stains (LA), the Stains (Austin) at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 25, 1981. Dez singing with a guest bass player at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 25, 1981. Black Flag's Robo on the Drums at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 28, 1981 (Tue): Tender Spots, LA Cigarettes, Toxic, The Tweezers

July 29, 1981 (Wed): The Earwigs, Secret Hate, Red Alert, Teenaged. Secret Hate pulled a quick marketing scam with their flyer for this one... "BLACK FLAG will not be at the Cuckoo's Nest but Secret Hate will"...

July 29, 1981. Flyer for (NOT) Black Flag, Secret Hate at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 29, 1981. Earwigs at the Cuckoo's Nest

July 30, 1981 (Thu): DOA, The Chiefs, The Suspects 

July 1981. The Suspects from Newport Beach
at the Cuckoo's Nest

 July 31, 1981 (Fri): TSOL, The Oziehares, The Hated

Jack Grisham of TSOL on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

Jack Grisham of TSOL on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest (Photo

 

 

AUGUST 1981

Cuckoo's Nest Booking Calendar for August 1981

August 1, 1981 (Saturday): TSOL, Civil Disobedience. TSOL for the first time played two nights back to back at the Cuckoo's Nest, July 31 and August 1st.

August 4, 1981 (Tuesday): Ionics, Red Scare, Captial Punishiment

Ticket for Red Scare on August 4, 1981

August 5, 1981 (Wednesday): Axcentric, Radio Dog (Rock Night)

August 6, 1981 (Thursday): Last Stand, Ashwood, Flameouts

August 7, 1981 (Friday): The Crowd, CH3, Comintern

Flyer w/ CH3 and the Crowd, Aug 7, 1981

 

The opening band Comintern's Flyer w/ CH3 and the Crowd, Aug 7, 1981

August 8, 1981 (Saturday): Circle Jerks, Eddie & The Subtitles, Secret Hate

August 11, 1981 (Tuesday): Saigon, MIA, Lost Cause, P.O.W. (Jerry created a "Viet Nam" night)

MIA Flyer for August 11, 1981 show

Lost Cause Flyer for August 11, 1981 show

MIA on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on August 11, 1981 (Photo by  Tom Backer)

MIA on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on August 11, 1981 (Photo by  Tom Backer)

August 12, 1981 (Wednesday): Comintern, Cronic Disorder, Civil Disobedience, Attack

August 12, 1981 flyer for Comintern at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

"The Attack" Flyer for August 12, 1981 show

August 13, 1981 (Thursday): Jerico Shake, Rock Candy. Jerry Roach had rock band Europa on his calendar, but with a question mark next to it. Not sure if they ever played.

August 14, 1981 (Friday): UXA, The Hated. DeDe Troit changed the name of the band at this time to UXA.

The Hated on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on August 14, 1981

 

August 15, 1981 (Saturday): Middle Class, 100 Flowers (The Urinals), the Minutemen, Christian Death. This is noted in Jerry's calendar that this was the first time that Christian Death played at the Cuckoo's Nest... they were paid a whopping total of $50.  

Cuckoo's Nest Flyer for August 15, 1981: Middle Class, 100 Flowers, Minutemen, Christian Death

 

 

Middle Class on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on August 15, 1981

Rozz Williams of Christian Death August 15, 1981 at The Cuckoo's Nest

August 18, 1981 (Tuesday): D.I., Civil Disobedience, Men of Purpose. One of Casey Royer's early shows with D.I.

August 20, 1981 (Thursday): Huskey, L.A. Sleeper, Steve Eric Band

August 21, 1981 (Friday): Jerry Roach decided to try something new and do two shows on the same day using the same headliner, Black Flag. Black Flag was back from their U.S. Tour and had been working with their new lead singer, Henry Rollins. This was to be his debut after the band had been on a short hiatus and the Jerry Roach wanted to capitalize on it by running ads for the two shows. Both shows were packed and there were a number of photographers on the scene there to capture the melee including Glen E. Friedman and Alison Braun. The bands had also promoted the show and there were a multitude of flyers made including the iconic "Mickey Mouse & Skeleton" flyer created by Ray Pettibon. The primary flyer for the show had both shows listed as well as an additional show there at the Cuckoo's Nest the following week, Aug 26th.

Black Flag shows at The Cuckoo's Nest in August 1981

3:00p Matinee Show: Black Flag, Wasted Youth, Circle One. 

August 21, 1981 (Matinee) flyer for Black Flag, Wasted Youth and Circle One

August 21, 1981 (Matinee) Action Shots

Black Flag outside the back door at the Cuckoo's Nest between shows on August 21, 1981 (Photo by Glen E. Friedman)

9:00p Evening Show: Black Flag, Overkill, Saccharine Trust. I didn't make it to the Matinee Show, but I did make it to this one. I have dedicated an entire blog to the happenings of the night. If you care to dig deeper, then visit that blog at: Chapter 3: At the Cuckoo's Nest

August 21, 1981 (Evening) flyer for Black Flag,Overkill & Saccharine Trust

August 21, 1981 (Evening) flyer for Black Flag,Overkill & Saccharine Trust (Version 2)

Black Flag on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on August 21,1981 (Photo by Glen E. Friedman)

August 22, 1981 (Saturday): Circle Jerks, Eddie & The Subtitles, Lost Cause.

August 22, 1981 flyer for Circle Jerks, Eddie & the Subtitles, Lost Cause

Circle Jerks on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on August 22, 1981

Circle Jerks on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on August 22, 1981

Circle Jerks on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on August 22, 1981

Circle Jerks in the Cuckoo's Nest Parking Lot on August 22, 1981

August 25, 1981 (Tuesday): The Brat, The Squares, Rebellions

 

August 26, 1981 (Wednesday): Black Flag, Minutemen, Descedents

August 26, 1981 flyer for Black Flag, Minutemen, Descendents

 
August 27, 1981 (Thursday): The Crowd, JFA, Broken Letters

August 27, 1981 flyer for The Crowd, JFA, Broken Letters

August 27, 1981 flyer for The Crowd, JFA, Broken Letters

August 27, 1981 - JFA on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest

JFA's set list from Cuckoo's Nest August 27, 1981

August 28, 1981 (Friday): Fear, Modern Warfare, MIA, Wasted Youth? Wasted Youth is not listed on the booking calendar or on any flyers except for one flyer that "they" created... Not sure if they played.

August 28, 1981 flyer for FEAR, Modern Warfare, MIA

 

August 28, 1981 flyer for FEAR, Modern Warfare, MIA

August 28, 1981 flyer for FEAR, Modern Warfare, MIA

August 28, 1981 flyer for FEAR, Wasted Youth

 

 

 

August 28, 1981 - Modern Warfare on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest

August 29, 1981 (Saturday): Fear, CH3, Overkill

August 29, 1981 flyer for FEAR, Overkill

 

August 29, 1981 flyer for FEAR, Overkill

 

SEPTEMBER 1981

Cuckoo's Nest Booking Calendar for September 1981

September 1, 1981 (Tuesday): L.A. Cigarettes name is on the calendar, but band flyers suggest that Circle One, the Dischords, The Brat and Subservice played that night. Subservice was a Palm Springs band that was one of the predecessors to the band Uniform Choice. Myke Bates played guitar in the band and had written songs that were among the first songs played and performed by Uniform Choice. For more information on this see the article on the early formation of the band: Uniform Choice: The Beginning

September 1, 1981 flyer for Circle One, The Dischords, Subservice

September 1, 1981 flyer for The Dischords, The Brat

September 2, 1981 (Wednesday): Confederates, Red Scare, Airtight Garage

September 3, 1981 (Thursday): No bands on the calendar but it is listed as a "Rockabilly" night

September 4, 1981 (Friday): Legal Weapon, the Detours, Vandals, Deadend Kids

September 4, 1981 flyer for Legal Weapon, the Detours

 

September 4, 1981 set list for the Detours

September 5, 1981 (Saturday): 45 Grave, Wasted Youth, Circle One

September 5, 1981 flyer for 45 Grave and Wasted Youth at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

September 8, 1981 (Tuesday): The Lobsters, The Abandoned, Born Against, Major Disturbance

September 9, 1981 (Wednesday): The Blades, Comintern, Society's Victims, Toxic Era

September 10, 1981 (Thursday): "Surfabilly Night" - Jon & The Nightriders, The Rockaholics, Rockin' Rebels 

John McCarty of the Rockaholics on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

September 11, 1981 (Friday): The Hated, MIA, Shattered Faith, Lost Cause

September 11, 1981 flyer for The Hated, Shattered Faith, Lost Cause

September 11, 1981 flyer for The Hated, MIA, Shattered Faith, Lost Cause

 

September 12, 1981 (Saturday): Twisted Roots, The Abandoned, Red Cross, Saccharine Trust

September 12, 1981 flyer for the Abandoned, Twisted Roots, Saccharine Trust at the Cuckoo's Nest

September 12, 1981 flyer for Twisted Roots, the Abandoned, Red Cross Trust at the Cuckoo's Nest

September 15, 1981 (Tuesday): Red Cross, the Minutemen, Saccharine Trust, the Descendents. Saigon was on the Calendar as well, but not sure if they played 

September 15, 1981 flyer for Red Cross, the Minutemen, Saccharine Trust, Descendents

September 15, 1981 flyer for Red Cross, the Minutemen, Saccharine Trust, Descendents

      

September 15, 1981 flyer for Red Cross, the Minutemen, Saccharine Trust, Descendents

September 16, 1981 (Wednesday): The Dischords, Red Beret, Red Scare

September 16, 1981 flyer for The Dischords

September 16, 1981 flyer for The Red Beret, Salvation Army, The Dischords, Red Scare

September 17, 1981 (Thursday): Rockabilly Night - The Rockaholics, Rockin' Rebels

September 18, 1981 (Friday): China White, Wasted Youth, Symbol Six

September 18, 1981 Flyer for China White, Wasted Youth, Symbol Six at the Cuckoo's Nest

September 19, 1981 (Saturday): DeDe Troit, Eddie & The Subtitles, Social Distortion, Shattered Faith

September 19, 1981 Flyer for Social Distortion, Eddie & The Subtitles, DeDe Troit, Shattered Faith at the Cuckoo's Nest

September 19, 1981 Flyer for Social Distortion, Eddie & The Subtitles, Shattered Faith at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

September 24, 1981 (Thursday): Rockin Shadows were booked as the only band. Jerry wrote "Closed?" on the calendar. So the club may not have been open this day.

September 25, 1981 (Friday): Legal Weapon, The Crowd, The Blades

September 26, 1981 (Saturday): Sub-Humans, Detours, CH3, Circle One

September 26, 1981 Flyer for Sub-Humans, Detours, CH3, Circle One at the Cuckoo's Nest

September 26, 1981 Flyer for Sub-Humans, Detours, CH3, Circle One at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

September 29, 1981 (Tuesday): Earwigs, Squid, The Squares, Airtight Garage

The Earwigs on stage at the Cuckoo's Nest on Sep 29, 1981

 

September 30, 1981 (Wednesday): Stigmata had a flyer but were not on the Calendar 

September 30, 1981 Flyer for Stigmata at the Cuckoo's Nest

 

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Click Here for the Next Part: 

OCT - DEC 1981 (PART 6)

Thank you in advance for any comments, stories or additions for this historical archive of the shows at the Cuckoo's Nest. If you have any flyers, photos or other types of attachments to add to this archive, please email them to me directly at hansonmeyer@yahoo.com. If you have photos or know of photos or other content appearing in this blog without proper credit, please contact me at the email above so that I can add or modify that information to ensure proper credit. Thank You.

The other parts of the Cuckoo's Nest shows can be found at these links: 

PART 1: Cuckoo's Nest Club Shows 1977-1979

PART 2: Cuckoo's Nest Club Shows 1980

PART 3: Cuckoo's Nest Club Shows Jan-Mar 1981

PART 4: Cuckoo's Nest Club Shows Apr-Jun 1981

PART 5: YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!

PART 6: Cuckoo's Nest Club Shows Oct-Dec 1981