THE CLAP LTD BLOG

2013-10-21T01:07:00.003-04:00

We are Back And Rockin !!!

2013-10-02T10:49:00.001-04:00

Song Lyrics

2012-06-13T18:34:00.001-04:00

www.shutupstore.com

www.politicalshutupshirts.com

Recording the First clap Single

2012-05-23T19:35:00.001-04:00

recording the first clap single was a big learning experience. We never really recorded ourselves before with any good equipment, and I really didn't know what my voice sounded like. When we showed up at the studio we knew we are ready to play our songs, but we weren't quite sure about the process.The recording studio we chose was Helfrich recording laboratories on E. Texas Rd. in West Allentown. Pete Helfrich was an eccentric older man in his 50s who had a lot of weird ways about him. When he walked into the studio, there was a huge fan that was in the ceiling it would turn on and you would feel like you were in a vacuum. Every time someone went out to smoke a cigarette or join, or just run out to the car. You would have to stand in the foyer and wait until Pete turned on the fan and sucked all the bad things off of you. You could say he was a germ a phobic . It didn't really make much sense because the recording studio was a cluttered mess. There were so many instruments laying around , chords, boxes, stacks of tape ,records, headphones, there was so much stuff there was only an aisle to walk through to get to the control room of the studio. I think it took about an hour for Pete to move things around so that we could have a place to set up our equipment and stand to play our songs. I mean it really looked like a cluster bomb went off in the place. Aside from that Pete really knew his shit, he was highly skilled at recording, he worked up in New York in the theaters, recording symphonies and many other things that he told us, I can't remember every thing he told us he also liked to talk a lot.. He told us to bring in an album of the band that we liked and that we wanted our recording to sound like.naturally we chose the Ramones and the sex pistols. I guess Pete needed to know a little bit about punk rock it was the first time he ever recorded a punk rock band. After we got set up and were at the point where we were starting to play our instruments, that's when you start the meter and you pay by the hour. First you have to tune the drums and set the microphones up on the drums that took an hour and half. Then setting up Mike's guitar microphones took a little time because he would run off of five channels, setting up five microphones down the hallway, this gave your much fuller sound. The bass was one channel and it was direct right into the mixing board.we ran through our songs a couple times to warm up and to get used to everything. Then we lay down the tracks, we all had headphones on and were in different rooms. I forgot to say it was a drum booth and Pete cleaned it out, it had clear plexiglass on the front so we could see Robbie and he could see us. The only way you heard any of the music was through the headphones Mike was all the way down the hall you couldn't see him at all, so all that practice playing in separate rooms paid off. I think we did don't say no in four or five takes and we nailed killed by kindness in one or two. When you are recording for the first time you kind of are scared and nervous you have all this energy and angst, we listened to the songs and we said we like them but Pete said leave our equipment exactly the way it is, and wait until the dust settles. He wanted us to come back the next day , he made a tape of the songs so we could listen to them. Pete had a motto he always said speak now or forever hold your peace, which meant once the songs are down and recorded you can't change them you have to do them over.so it was wise to leave your equipment set up, and the mixer board set up the way you left it, so if there was something you didn't like about the song, you could come back and do the song over and you wouldn't have to spend all that money setting up the equipment and the microphones again.Pete Helfrich was a really cool guy God rest his soul he passed away a few years ago, but he was always good with the money he never charged you more than the time he worked on your song, he was a great guy. He also did the mixing for( get the hell out) the CD by Frank FOE, a compilation of Lehigh Valley artists. Well that's the recording part of the single out return with another post on the mixing which is a whole mother story and a mind blowing event what else things always work that way with the clap!!!

www.shutupstore.com

www.politicalshutupshirts.com

Back To the Lighthouse or I Mean the French Connection

2012-05-07T19:22:00.000-04:00

Shows at the lighthouse became an every other week thing. We would open up for other bands brought in by clap unlimited productions, and a few other local acts. There was a limited number of venues to play in the Lehigh Valley. Especially for a punk band and one of the only punk bands in the Lehigh Valley.also the all age West catty playground and firehall shows were a few years away .the lighthouse shows were more routine them fun until one day it changed hands. A guy named Jason took over running the place. He was a short chubby guy who look like Brian Johnson of AC/DC. He started a whole new thing changing the name of the lighthouse to the French connection. He brought in dancers, mud wrestling and half naked girls rolling around in Jell-O and pudding.this put a whole new twist and playing a show and brought in the different crowd. It was fun playing while all those girls were rolling around in the mud and Jell-O. We started playing shows that the French connection on a regular basis. But like all other venues it became more like a job and it lost it's flare and wasn't fun ant more. Also we found that we were wearing ourselves out playing too many shows in the Lehigh Valley. People didn't want to come out every other week to see you and we weren't playing enough new material to keep it fresh. So we decided it was time to take off from playing and record our first single.*

We looked around for recording studio and decided on Helfrich recording laboratories on E. Texas Rd. in Allentown. Pete Helfrich the engineer was an older man who seemed more in tune to record Opera and classical music, but he turned out to be really cool and knew what he was doing. We chose 2 songs to record don't say no and killed by kindness. We got busy in our practice space going over the songs again and again till they were perfect. We even divided ourselves into separate rooms as if we were recording so we didn't depend on eye contact, we knew the songs inside and out every note.I guess all that preparation worked out to because all the songs were done in under five takes, which saved us lots of money. The only part of recording that took a couple takes was the vocals.they are done separately, I was a little picky about those and when you finally get to hear yourself sing some adjustments needed to be made. Start

When we got to the recording studio we were shocked at first. The outside of the building was a rundown old church I think, with a few buildings added on to it and the carport at a garage. The inside didn't look much better there was instruments all over the place things stacked on top of one another. there were piano's a harpsichord and a cluster fuck of recording equipment. The only area that was cleaned out was the drum booth for Robbie's drums. A small area had to be cleaned out for Mike and myself. The recording process was a very interesting and we learned a lot from it. We also read up on several techniques used by other artists we like. Like East Bay Ray of the dead Kennedys he always used five mics all spaced down a hallway.also we used a double track for the vocals which was used by artists like the Beatles, kiss, Nirvana and a host of other musicians. Recording was only the first process of making the 45, which I will get into deeper in the next post so stay tuned.!

www.shutupstore.com

www.politicalshutupshirts.com

Jack off Month !

2012-04-04T11:30:00.001-04:00

Now A reason to Jack Off !!

Relieve your Self HA HA !

The First Clap T-shirt

2012-03-15T22:24:00.000-04:00

www.shutupstore.com

www.politicalshutupshirts.com

Fliers From The First Few years

2012-02-27T16:11:00.000-05:00

www.shutupstore.com

www.politicalshutupshirts.com

Here is all the fliers I have from the early clap shows There were a lot more and more pictures but they were lost in a fire at my sisters house in 2003. Maybe you will remember being at some of these shows.Most Of them are at the Lighthouse in east Allen township.This was where we played on a regular basis, We opened with National acts like 4out of 5 doctors,the fast,the reds,the sharks,the Jitters,the Hitmen

the boyfriends and a few others.The one band we wanted to open for was Chris Spedding He was a big draw and a great guitarist.Our management fucked us and put the trendsetters on the bill instead of us.We were Pissed I mean what the hell did they think.We were there band and were good enough to play in front of all the b-rated bands they booked. Clap unlimited Productions didn't know what they were doing,They wasted there time on shitty bands and passed up bands like THE DAMNED,THE DICKIES,THE SAINTS and the STRANGLERS.They were afraid to take chances,to be cutting edge.I knew that and that is why strain productions was so successful!You have to get the big bands and they cost money!but they are the ones that draw the most people,and when you get a lot of people and alcohol there is bound to be problems and you must be able to handle them that is it period !I wish they had more balls and a better vision because that club was perfect out of the way but not to far away had good parking and no neighbors.I hope you enjoy the fliers and hope you see a show you were at !! CHEERS!

Nicks Wedding

2012-02-20T14:09:00.001-05:00

The Clap played one wedding,It was for our good friend Nick Burrell .The Reception was at this hall in Bath PA.We Were to play after the DJ.This gave us plenty of time to get tuned up! Nick Kept saying to us
" hey guys keep it light,no playing Suzie was a floozie or I wanna fuck Annette ". We Laughed, we knew we didn't care and it looked like all his relatives were half in the bag already.We played a wild set I remember we had a good night the people liked us . they were hooting and yelling .They never herd this kind of music before.We were a new thing in the Lehigh Valley.We Had Colored hair and there was no crazy color back then Just Koolaid !We wore.Leopard pants ,spikes,make up,safety pins and black leather we were punks.We Got called more bad names than good. we didn't care we were the CLAP and it ain't nothin till you catch us.By the Nights end the place was a mess shit all over and these stuffed deer and moose heads all got knocked off the wall. that place would never be used for future shows HA-HA.We played a few shows for Nick one was the second last show of the LIARS . The show was Nicks Birthday at the Lapowindsa rod and gun club Northampton pa.It was a beautiful summer day perfect for an outside show. Unfortunatly I was so blown out on coke I do not remember too much about this show.But I am sure there was unrest and ill feelings. The last liars gig was the first west catty show ever.They played with the trendsetters,both bands got together made tickets sold them to people and Bam the first west Catty Gig Was set .Not knowing what this building would become in the future.It Became the hub for the L.V.H.C. where I booked Major Label Punk Bands with my friend Scott Andrews .well didn't say they got the show off without a hitch . this show was filled with drunks.Ronney Rock the Guitarist of the trendsetters was going to stop playing several times because of the drunk people and the rowdy dancing on the dance floor.I didn't stay till the end but a fight broke out between 2 chicks and escalated to a big fight and that was the last I ever saw or herd of the liars.I know Bobby Alamazan started 2 other bands "word Made Flesh" and "dogs of straw. Bob Passed away In the fall of 2001 he played In my band Nostalgia Crisis until his death. I think of him a lot ,I miss Him. He was one of the best guitar players and performers I ever played with.If there is a punk rock heaven I know he is there.
BOBBY ALAMAZAN

www.shutupstore.com

www.politicalshutupshirts.com

Secret Art Space Show !

2012-02-01T19:39:00.001-05:00

The Secret Art Space Show with Nostalgia Crisis and FOD Was very cool I Love playing there. It is Just the right size You don't need a huge Crowd to have a big crowd.I had a lot of fun and am looking forward to doing another show there this spring. Here are some of the Photo's from the show.

www.shutupstore.com

www.politicalshutupshirts.com

Liars Pool Party

2012-01-19T13:05:00.000-05:00

One of Bob Almazan's favorite Qotes to me was "If you play in the middle of the woods does anyone here you?"He would say this to me all the time when he played in my other band Nostalgia Crisis.This would remind me of the time the Liars played at Bill shugarts house in Jim Thorpe PA.The House was located in a remote area on the outskirts of Jim Thorpe about 1 mile From the monument and grave site of Jim Thorpe.The Band played in this old in ground swimming that was drained.I don't think it had been used for years.When I arrived the Liars started with there slap the clap were the Liars banter. which still goes on today.They Played there first set which was pretty good.there were some mice who must have had a nest in the drain and pump lines. because when they played they would run out. Todd the singer would try to stomp them and chased them around. It was a great affect it made for a really good show. After the first set a band called Lofty ( nothing to do with me) this was Bill Shugarts band in the early 70's .They Played a set of some originals and a few old classics . When I was a kid I would watch them play at the ST. Lawrence Festival.You could say I was inspired by them,I loved to watch them play.It was turning out to be a cool party until the second set of the Liars. Todd and chip were pretty fucked up by then and were just starting into random songs waiting for Bob and Lap the Drummer.Bob came and plugged in but Lap was somewhere fucking off and was not ready to start yet. So Todd the singer took the drum sticks and punched them through every one of the drum heads on Lap's set. Lap freaked out and arguments started total chaos and the show ended.This is how many of the Liars shows ended and ultimetly ended the band.
PARTY AT THE STONE HOUSE

One other show to mention about the liars:The Party at the old stone house on wood street.in Catasauqua.This girl who lived there with her parents I don.t know her name.But she had this party with the Liars Playing in the living room of the house.What a disaster !! The Place was mobed with young punks and any one who showed up .The band started playing and people were jumping all over beer was going everywhere a real punk rock event ! The party just escalated from there,we were jumping off couches and chairs,Lamps were breaking pictures were falling off the walls It was like animal house.Down in the basement this girls mother did ceramics and had ceramic figures all over the place ,shelves full of ceramic pieces. People were down the basement just smashing the ceramics It was horrible I felt bad for this girl. I wondered where she was, so I looked for her only to find her drunk and passed out.Oh well ! Then I saw mike Rex My Guitar player with These packs of t-bone steaks,He said they were raiding the freezer and this is what he got. So we went to his house and fired up the grill and had steak .What a party I thought, Book the Liars and have a house wrecking party. Some how the band THE CLAP was blamed for some of the antics but fuck it I know what really happened,what a fucked up sight !

HERE COMES THE SUMMER

2011-12-29T19:21:00.003-05:00

In the mid to late spring Motleys record store moved to Allentown on Hamilton street between 12th and 13th streets.I Got a job helping Ed the owner move .after the move was complete he let me work at the store. He Liked me and my punk attitude and I was a show piece a poser ,I colored my hair wore make up, looked like a freak,like a real human PUNK !!People took pictures of me ,I once was mistaken for Adam Ant,I'll Get to that one another day.I liked the Job it didn't pay good though. We didn't make the money at first , the Move was rough on Ed. and the store, It took a while till things got moving.I would get paid in pins and records and other things.This is where I met Jackie Hardener,I came to work one day and Ed told me he hired a new person she was coming to work soon. When she Jackie Got there Eddie Gave me a small bag of coke and told me to go in the basement with Jackie and put the LP's in alphabetical order.Yea we started the alphabet y and I and hole and pole It was real nice Jackie was a great looking Girl with a hell of a body.She was 18 and she always dressed to kill in retro 80's 1 piece vinyl and leather suits ,she was hot !! We started Going out from time to time,Once when she was staying over my dad opened the door on us and caught a good look at Jackie.When we were done she went in the shower and I went down stairs,when I walked past my dad he put his hand up and hi-dived me as I went by. Later I let Him give her a ride home he liked that and he never said no any time she needed one in the Future HA HA !! Jackie was a great friend and a lot of fun We never had any strings attached . which was very cool,Once At the Undertones show she wasn't old enough to get in so I snuck her in to see the show.In between early and late shows her and I and Damion O'Neill from the Undertones Took a walk for a bite to eat,We saw a horrific accident and watched the rescue. the next day the undertones played at 6 flags Great Adventure To support Joe Jackson we were on the guest list. We were going on rides with the Undertones and hanging around in the park with them. the next day they Played the Fast Lane in Asury Park NJ. with a band called colors also with Clem Burk from Blondie on drums,Filling in for his brother.Jackie went along on this one with me after the show she asked if she could go with Damion on the rest of the tour I said I didn't mind and she went off with him. We met up later down the line,I'll Always love that Girl..A few years ago the Undertones played Allentown The Sterling Hotel Damion Myself and Jackie had a toast and a laugh as we reminisced in the Past,It was a great Night a great past,what memories!
In The summer of 1980 We played a score of shows at the north Catasauqua Park and the Fire Fighters Carnival . They Both Payed Good and were a lot of fun. It was the only way to play to a young audience .We always played bars and there were no hall shows or all age shows back then and west Catty was a few years away.The First Time we played the Fire fighters carnival it was the opening night.There were so many people there and young kids screaming,It was crazy.We played 3 sets to a very wild crowd I remember looking out and there were so many people it stretched all the way to the property on the other side of the street. At the end the organizers told us they had to stock up more food for the rest of the week because they sold almost all of it.The next year we played there we got double !!We played these shows for the next 3 years,all with there own story to tell.
The best part of the band in the beginning was the girls, I mean what did you think I wanted to be in a band in the first place was.I Got lay ed on a regular basis you could say.One day at this ox roast at the catasauqua Playground.I was hanging out with an acoustic guitar ans some girls came over and I was singing some songs to them. This one I'll Call her Karen got a little star struck and started making it with me.Then she invited me to her house that night for a party so I obliged . I got up to her house that night and it had a for sale sign in front of it,and no curtins in the windows.Her family didn't live there any more and they were just sleeping there, a bunch of her friends were with her. they were playing spin the bottle and when it landed on Karen they Dared her to go in the next room with me,how childish I thought. But when I got back there with her she was no child,Just in age. she grabbed my unit and stuck it in her honey bun and wam bang I got her cherry.It was early in the night so I hit the seen and went out to hang out with the gang later I went back for seconds and a place to crash.Yes sir wild summer nights !
There was another Girl I was stuck on for a while back then Her name was Erin She was a prissy thing never had a hair out of line Till you got her in the sac.She was really good looking but she was prissy I called her Queenie .She was alright to hang out with but I just wanted to Fuck,so If I got bored with her I would split and see what else I could find.Or maybe Go Find Jackie , That summer was just one big party.

( these Photo's were taken at a playgroung in Catasauqua pA. 1980)

the Next big show the band played was the 1980 July 4 th celebration.We Played in our managers back yard on 7th st. North Catasauqua PA'.This show was packed ! we drew people from up the street at the celebration.They streached and blocked a main road, the police had to come down to clear people off the street.then they argued with my mom and another lady because they wanted to close us down.We bashed out a set to the biggest show to date .The next thing left was to record our material and release our first single.

The CLUB

2011-12-21T19:56:00.000-05:00

In the beginning we were so green behind the ears about the music industry and how it worked.We would be lead around by the nose literally .It started with the manager Dave and Mottley,the shows stopped at the 4TH st.saloon and they hooked up with this big lehigh valley lawyer Todd Miller .He had bought this big building on 8TH st. in Allentown Pa., and renovated the first 3 floors,The CLUB was on the 3RD floor. It Had a huge wooden dance floor,with 8 bass speakers covered with black plush carpeting so you could sit on them.The DJ booth Looked like an alter for some dark ritual,it was also covered in black carpet.there were all these couches and love seats and mirrors covered the walls.There were these other rooms with futons and couches that were dimly lit. the second floor was an arcade with pool tables ,air hockey and other pinball machines and a make shift pizza shop with this fag that wanted to always suck our dicks.Robbie and the Rodie were always fucking with him and not paying for there food.One day he went to moon dog to get him to pay for a slice and he smacked the dude in the head with the slice.

All in all the CLUB was a really great venue it had a lot of potential . the bands that played there were : the SPEEDIES,DIRTY LOOKS,999,the HUMANS,Athletic o SPIZ 80,Single Bullet Theory,the STRANGLERS,The Undertones,the Necessaries and a few others I can't remember.The shows were fun there was no security and you didn't need it. Everyone was so cool there was never a fight. there was no slam dancing back then either,just POGO dancing and SKA.
The show I remember the most was the UNDERTONES ! there was an early and a late show they were both filled to capacity .The Late show was a wilder show being the drunk people from the first show came to the second show as well.They were POGOING so hard the floor was moving 5 inches in either direction. I went down to the second floor and saw a crack in the ceiling go from closed to 2 inches open.The Band had to be told to tell the people to calm down a bit being it was unsafe.That Didn't work so I just got the band and my family and friends to stand by the wall or a support beam The Place was Just crazy..At the end the Floor made it,but there was never another show up there,they moved to the first floor and changed the name to Niko's Not long after that it fell into oblivion.

The Clap only played at the CLUB 2 times Once by our selves and as the support for Dirty Looks. They Had a hit out at the time, the show was all right but they were into themselves they were cunts.The only reason we liked the club was because we were let in free to hang out posing with coloreds hair and punk clothes Just looking fucking punk and cool.It also landed me a job at Mottley's Record store when it moved to Hamilton st. Allentown..This is also where I met Kathy Boyer,It Was at one of the shows I think Dirty Looks?I was really drunk and we were dancing. I loved to Punk Dance And create my own dances and she asked me to dance.Well that Night I went home with her. Her Parents were away for the weekend so I was I n.We fucked for a while Then I passed out When I woke up there was a rat on me and I was painted from head to toe,all different colors.This was the type of Girl this Kathy was. she was weird I always had a weird feeling about her.It also was the Place I met Jackie and I'll Get to her another post another day so for now I am signing out till another day till then Good Day.

PUNK SHOW

2011-12-21T14:16:00.002-05:00

PRE NEW YEARS EVE SHOW !!

www.shutupstore.com

www.politicalshutupshirts.com

The Lighthouse

2011-12-08T13:35:00.001-05:00

The Lighthouse was a steady Gig For us,We would play there once a month as the headliner and a few times opening up for bands that were booked by Clap unlimited productions.This was run by our manager,my brother Mike and Ed Mottley . They Booked a lot of bands Chris Spedding and the Fast were the Best and the biggest crowds.A Guy named Bernie was the owner he was cool he would smoke a joint with us every once in a while.We were always put up stairs ,up this spiral stair case in a room like caged monkeys. So we would go outside to the van a lot to get hi and smoke cigarettes . It was also our only way to talk to people who came to see us. One time me and Robbie were outside and we were talking to this girl for a while.I went in to see when we were going on and left Robbie with this chick.It was time to go on so I went out to call him and he got out of this car pulling up his pants and running up to me and this Girl got out of the care and Yelled oh!by the way my name is Marcy! We got on stage and were laughing so hard I new That he Just pumped a load in her .There were a lot of nights someone got laid in that parking lot It was surrounded by corn fields.Hell I fucked My First wife there in between sets in some van, Punk Rock !!

There were so many crazy nights at the Light house too many to write about and I don't remember the Details of every night but I will write of the ones I do remember. One time in the winter it snowed about 2 feet the night before we played and the roads would drift shut a lot in the night.Remember the Lighthouse was about 4 miles north of the lehigh valley airport and was surrounded by corn fields,Dutch Country as my one time room mate refers to it as .The shows would go till 1:30 and by the time we left the bar the roads were drifted shut.Our friends left before us and got stuck in this drift,so we all worked to get them out ,it took a while . we were all drunk and horsing around .Then we wanted to get home and it didn't seem like a plow was going to save us .By this time my sister got rid of the van and traded it for this 57 Chevy, The van was becoming a money pit anyway.So we got in the car It was a boat we got a good head start and barreled ass through the snow all the way home .No stopping that tank of a car we plowed through every drift, Just pounding through them it was fun.

The shows at the Light house were so many and so monotones they started to loose luster, we also lost our manager. He ran off with our artist to start another life, left us high and dry and boy did we get high then !! We started sneaking beer and smoking pot before we went on we started to loose direction.I remember shows walking out of our dressing room and some one telling me to hold out the back of my hand and they would poured a pile of coke on it and I snorted it up.I would gag during the first 2 songs from the drip we would just get fucked up, really there are a lot of these shows, I don't Remember a lot of them. After Dave Left the bands stopped getting booked at the club and things Just Died out. We didn't even want to play there any more.It Was time to Move on and change the name of the production co.Get a fresh start.

The First Road show

2011-12-07T15:37:00.001-05:00

I t Didn't take long before we got our first road show,Clarion state collage.I set it up with this Girl Kathy Boyer I was dating at the time.She was a fresh man at the school and got right in with the entertainment committee Like I asked her to do.She was a nice girl she Just wanted too much to fast and I was Just starting my Rock And Roll carrier .The show was for $1000.00 we had to play 3 sets with no support act.Robbie and Mike Had to have permission slips signed by there parents because the show was on a Friday night and they were under 18 .We also Received a full rider of perks, Food and drink and a place to stay for the night..
The trip to the show was long and mostly uneventful ,We drove in this Big Lime Green Van My sister bought to Rhodie for us. She Liked the Band and always wanted to be a singer so this was her way to be in the business .The only thing that would happen is the usual stare or laugh , because we looked punk with dyed hair and makeup.Freaks they would call us,but we didn't care.We were on a rode show ,Rock and roll stars hell we made front page of the Clarion news Paper.
WE Arrived Early and set up for sound check, we were playing in the basement of this church. It was a big Hall with a stage 4 feet high and a full light rack and a spot light this was cool.We sound checked and headed to the cafeteria to eat.we had some time to kill we had a radio interview in the afternoon at the collage station.Some people in the cafe came up to talk to us and ask for autographs while we were eating We were feeling right at home.The campus was old and secluded there is nothing around clarion and nothing to do. this was a good thing, we were told we would have a good turnout because of this.I mean it when I say there was nothing to do.We stopped into this punk Frat house and it looked like the 411 in Bethlehem Pa. It had all the appeal of animal house the only thing to do was the collage past time which is Drink and then drink some more.I had a feeling this was going to be a very good night I was getting pumped and DRUNK!!
The Radio Interview was pretty funny we had this dick head dis jockey who kept calling us the CLASH I kept correcting him and was getting pissed He didn't get it until I said WE ARE NOT THE FUCKING CLASH, we are the CLAP AND WE AIN'T NOTHING TILL YOU CATCH US !! After that we got serous about the interview and he played a few live recordings of our songs and some demo's we had.We Did not record any material yet for a record.After The Interview we rested in this dorm room they had with 4 beds in it for bands ,students what ever,It was just nice of them. they really made us feel welcome the best I ever had and that was the truth. We never got this treatment again close but never this good ..
The Show Was a huge success ,.when we got there our manager put us back stage we had our own room with a makeup table with the lights around it and everything.We Were anxious to play they kept telling us there were a fey people out there the early crowd. Well when the curtains opened I almost shit myself the room was packed as far back as the eye could see.We started with VD"s no Laughing Matter and the people started to bop and sway. There were no mosh pits back then just pogo dancing and bopping about everyone seemed to like us.Even this one punk he was up front and was beating his leather jacket on stage to the songs, Everyone kept there distance from that cat he looked a little loose. At the end of the show for the last an chore our manager played guitar and Mike Rex took my Bass and we would cover sonic reducer by the dead boys. I was singing the end lyrics, I was rolling on the stage and rolled right off the edge and smashed my face and busted open my lip. Blood was flowing out onto my shirt and every where ,when I got back up on stage the crowd went wild. I guess For my blood sacrifice or my rendition of stiv bators any way we had to play V.D."s No Laughing matter again to please the crowd. What a show we felt real good about it.After we would Play we would have a meeting and talk about the show This time we didn't have anything to say about it,It was all good so we were let loose to party !!!

There was a party Just For Us On the 4th Floor of the Girls Dorm ,Chicks Booze and Drugs we were having a good time! I slipped off to the Girls Shower with Kathy for a shower and a piece of pussy A perfect way to top off a good show. When we were done two other girls came in and started to shower Like I wasn't there. Then the won came over to me and started asking me if I was In the band,I was thinking wow bonus but Kathy kind of got upset so I Went to her room and banged her one more time then went to the party.I was talking to the manager then and he wanted someone to go and checkout the van and notify security that it was ours. I said I would do it on the way back this Guy asked me if I was in the band .I said yea then I said they were having a party for us on the 4th floor.I said he could come along he said OK and he had some liquor in his room So He got it. Well when we got off the elevator the place went quiet and everyone stared at me.I was Like what the fuck, then Kathy came over to me and asked why I brought him up there. I said I didn't Know ,then she told me they called him friendly Eric,then she told me the deal about friendly Eric. He was a Strange Fuck who always wanted to touch people He was very insecure and had a lot of mental issues.I told Kathy I was sorry and didn't know she said it was OK she should have warned me he always ruins party's.Well he did his friendly Eric thing around the party annoying every one, then he tried to be friendly with the wrong person.Our rhodie Gary Moondog (rest in peace) , He asked him if he could touch him and he said to him no but feel this and wham !!! Down went friendly Eric . Moondog would have pounded that guy like a worm, So we got out of there and ended the night. we had a long ride in the morning and had shows to do back home.Any way what a show I will always remember this one the most It was one of the best.

Check out the caption under the picture in the clarion news paper, they Make us out to be a bunch of scary thugs.

Our First Photo Shoot

2011-12-01T22:38:00.001-05:00

Our First Photo Shoot was at Scheckler Elementary School. I knew the Principal His son Eddie Bruchack Is a good friend of the band.We were aloud in the class rooms and on the grounds really any place we wanted. My friend 's Wife Tammy Mizgerd took the photo's she also did the art work for the cover of Don't say no our first single.She also did our manager Dave,they eventually ran off together to start a new life.My Brother Mike took over the management Job and later married our managers x-wife.What a fucked up story ,If you have an hour or two I'll tell you..Any way I knew you needed a good photo to make a 9x7 glossy Photo for a press kit.A press kit is what you use to get booked to inform the purchaser about the band and there music.The better the press kit is the more professional you look.The photo's are in black and white That is the industry standard .I loved doing photo shoots they were fun Robbie was a riot . We did several photo shoots a few in the studio. These pictures were used on fliers more than anything Then later on in the first web site.We always chose decent places not the usual ruins or an old dirty alley with spay painted graffiti all over the place.I wanted to do one the hospital with a stretcher and a lot of hot nurse's.It was important to do photo shoots,Big bands did them and we wanted to be a big band.

The Burning Drip

2011-11-30T15:35:00.001-05:00

Along with The Many Bar shows the clap played, which I will get to ,We also played a lot of party;s .One in particular that comes to mind was one out at a farm house,It was owned by My friend Jim Wagner.He hung out with a bunch of people we called the 4 wheeler's .They listened to punk and liked us, they would come and see us play a lot. They asked us to play this 3 day party they were having at the farm house.So we packed up and set out for the farm for a weekend of camping,parting and punk rock fun!!! We arrived early Friday evening and set up a stage in the second floor of the Barn next to the farm house .It was a great location the room was big and would protect the equipment if it would start to rain.
The first night was great the beer and was flowing every one was having a good time.We played two sets to a bopping energetic crowd.We were prepared for this show and had a lot of material to cover and even a new song or two.I personally loved to play these kind of shows with your friends in a relaxed environment .You Just play better no pressure.well the First night went without a hitch it was a lot of fun we got a good sleep for the show the next day which would be bigger.
The next Morning was a real beautiful morning a few hung over people not many. We all made breakfast I walked the power line picking berries. We started the Party early we Did a set in the early afternoon for a warm up and waited till later to do a good set.We hiked around,the place were we were at had a lot of trails and a power line the 4 wheeler's use to ride on with there 4 wheel drive monster trucks.At about 3:00 we decided to play our set,we started out strong and loud the place was rocking . people were bopping ,beer was flowing everyone was having a good time when,these 3 hill billies came walking up the drive carrying shotguns. a few people and the owner went to confront them. They said they were having a wedding reception down the way and they weren't going to have our loud music ruining it. So we had to drop the volume well that didn't work it only pissed them off more because we didn't quit. all in all we had to stop playing. so we packed up and just decided to stay and just get drunk and stay the night.
The Next morning we woke up to all these people yelling because some one stole there food, ate it and left before they woke up, what a rip off. Well every one chipped together and fed everyone and all was fine.Not wanting to let the good time go we all chipped in for more BEER. a 1/2 barrel YE HA !!!! party on Wayne party on Garth.Our Friend Nick Barrel went to get the beer and picked up a hitch hiker on the way back and brought her to the party .this chick was a winner and a song inspiration ,she got so fuckin Drunk
she started hitting on all the guys,this is where the story gets good ! One Guy took her into the bed room and fucked her and then the train began.There was a line of 15 guys outside that room and everyone had his turn it was going on for hours a real sausage party . I was sitting at the picnic table and she came out of the house and ran past me naked up to the power lines and a train of dudes followed. one guy got her and took her on this tractor and she sucked his cock on it. then they laid her on the ground and kept fucking her. at this time I thought it was getting a little sick so I took a picture of warm beer and poured it on her in between fucks. This made all the guys mad and everything end quickly,so me and a few others took her down to the barn and sat her down at the picnic table I got her a beer and she asked me for a piece of paper and pen. I got her one and she wrote this little jingle for me it went like this:
When I am sober I sit and stew
When I am drunk I like to fuck and screw
And when this life is over and all things come to pass
I hope they plant me upside down and fuck me up the ass
The burning drip,Hitch hikers hero

The strangest thing was every one of those Guys that fucked Her got THE CLAP they were all pissing nails. some of them had girl friends that left that morning or the night before.I kept that note and went home and we wrote the burning drip one of my favorite songs.It always brings back memories of the old times the early innocent days. That was a great weekend it went in the clap history book, This was a true story I hope you enjoyed reading it.

The Clap Unlimited "now we are serous "

2011-11-29T09:44:00.001-05:00

We started playing a lot more bars we weren't even 21, they would Keep us in the dressing room or in the kitchen until we played.Our manager wouldn't let us get high or drink or do anything before we played,this made us a little different than the norm. especially for a punk band we weren't all fucked up. We were on adrenaline and nothing else that is how it was in the beginning.Our management took on the name:The Clap Unlimited, They also with the help of Ed Motley started booking Bands at this club the lighthouse located in Hanover township Near the airport.It was surrounded by cornfields,The cops never shut this place down for noise.I thought This was the perfect venue to bad they turned it into a bed and breakfast now.Any way the shows were fun one night before we went on we had to piss, we were going on after 2 more songs that was our Que.We were in this room they kept us in on the second floor, the only way to the bathroom was down a spiral stairs and through the crowd.Me and mike were pissing in empty glasses and a planter.Robbie opened a window and started pissing out it,It was right above the front entrance .well The owner and a few other people were coming in at the time and shit hit the fan. we got bitched at for throwing water out the window we were laughing so hard we couldn't stop Just thinking some of the people watching us were just pissed on,

The Band Played many show at the lighthouse In the late 70's and early 80's they opened For many of the punk bands that played there.They also arranged there own hall shows and sold tickets for them,some were very successful and even sold out.these were good times for THE CLAP It helped us mature and tighten up our set to have a professional act so we would be taken seriously .We wanted to record and get a record deal.!

The Prince of punk

2011-11-28T22:22:00.001-05:00

Step Pillage (aka Stephen Lanzillo):Was the true First punk of the Lehigh Valley.This Guy was punk to the core.I first met step at the 4 th st. saloon , He was a loud obnoxious punk with a real hate for the Government.He thought everything was a conspiracy ,and the world was out to get him he was always paranoid .He would stand out in front of punk shows with propaganda fliers handing them out and shouting out political rants .people would spit on him throw his papers around push him.I thought it was funny because he never quit it got to the point that he would annoy people.He was really more a pest than anything ,and the craziest shit would happen to him because of it.
One time I took him to a liars show ,it was outside at tri- borough sportsman's club.The liars were playing a set and step was being his annoying self shouting out rants and shit. after the 1st set I slipped away to smoke a joint,when I came back everyone was spiting on step and throwing things at him.They poured a pitcher of beer on his head and he freaked throwing his arms in the air and screaming as he went to his car.People continued to throw shit at his car.then someone threw a big hunk of grass with the roots and dirt on the wind shield.Step pealed out hitting a few tree's on the way.Later we herd he was stopped by the Northampton police gave them a hard time got maced and thrown in jail.this was par for step
Step was so annoying he was banned from motleys record store and some club venues.I would let him stay at my house when he was in town because he was not allowed at his parents because he burned it to the ground when he fell a sleep with a cigarette.When we would hang out with me he would all most get beat up for lighting in scents in the clubs.It is sad that step is no longer with us but I will always remember him as the PRINCE of PUNK

PS: Don't Get me wrong when you read these stories I loved Step He was a good friend. I am just telling These stories because they really happened.

Stephen A. Lanzillo

April 16, 2006|The Morning Call

Stephen A. Lanzillo, 44, of Bradenton, Fla., passed away April 4, 2006. He was the son of Loretta and Mario Lanzillo. Originally from Allentown, Stephen graduated from Allen High School. He worked at a few places in the Lehigh Valley including Day-Timers Inc. before moving to Cleveland, Ohio, Philadelphia, Pa., and most recently Bradenton, where he worked for a security service. Throughout his life, anyone who met or knew Stevie can never forget his unique charm and genuine personality. He will be missed dearly by friends here as well as the other places he lived.

Survivors: Mother, Loretta Lanzillo of Bradenton; sister, Janice Lanzillo and her children, Victoria and Matthew Smith, of Allentown, Pa.

PS: notice the in scents in steps hand !!!!

the Early Lehigh Valley Seen

2011-11-27T12:35:00.001-05:00

We were not alone,There were a few other bands in the Valley.The first Bands were The Midnighters ,The Tran sonics/trendsetters,The Clap,The Liars.These were the only punk bands that I knew of at the birth of the lehigh valley seen.The Midnighters lead singer and guitarist Johnny was a cool guy. I met him through his girl friend who was a substitute teacher at Catty High school.He would pick her up after school some times and she introduced us to him.We were Just starting at the time and didn't have our first show yet.He was such an inspiration he had a bizarre personality sick in a way.He would tell us of shows he would go to in New York at CBGB's and Maxy's Kansas City.He told us of bands he would see like Iggy pop, Sid Viscous,Dead Boys,Johnny Thunders,The Heart Breakers and many others.The stories he would tell us made me want to play in a punk band all the more.The Midnighters were like a blend between the heart breakers and the Ramones a 70's power pop sound like a lot of punk bands of the time.The Clap was fortunate to open up a few shows with the Midnighters Before they split in 1980 due to musical differences . The Last I heard of Johnny he was a minister in El Paso Texas.as for the rest of the band they faded into the cracks of the lehigh valley past.
The Tran sonics were fronted by Ronnie Rock who's ego could fill a room and the Prince of punk the late(Steve Lanzillo) Step Pillage.There time on the seen was short lived and they only did a few shows at the 4th st. saloon in Bethlehem Pa. They were punk as punk could be. Step played a bass with 3 strings and a rubber band he had a British flag suit coat with a lot of badges and safety pins on it.Ronnie had slicked back hair and a 50's leather look.I don't Remember the drummer.The one show I saw and I think was the last show was so funny.,every one had a squirt gun and was shooting at the band Ronnie was getting pissed.Then Ed Mottley Filled a gun with dish soap and things got worse step was so wet and suds were all over him,so was Ronnie, he went to the mic and was bitching at everyone and a blue electric current shot across to his mouth and shocked him for about 5 seconds.Then some one took a wiped cream pie and smashed it in step's face and he lost it, he was jumping and thrashing around in the crowd wiped cream flying everywhere.That was punk as shit I couldn't top that act,but that was it for the trans sonics Later Ronnie took a more pop approach with the Trendsetters who released an EP We Are Young. Step Passed away of causes unknown 2008/09 ?Ronnie Lives in Virginia Beach,He opened with a solo act for the Clap on tour one time at a bar called the corner bar. I played a few songs with him it was very cool .He even put us up for the night.I would love to see a trendsetters and Clap reunion one day !!!

the Liars our long time foes .It started when Chip Schlegel Wanted to Join our band. We Didn't want him in the band, he didn't play good and didn't learn the songs fast enough.So He and a few others Formed The Liars Chip on Guitars,Bob Almazan on bass ,Steve Lapsansky on Drums and Todd Hartranft Vocals.They had a set together of songs but never had there shit together.They always wanted us to let them open for us,because we always would get Gigs at clubs and halls,we were in demand I guess you could say.We played all the Clubs in the area and got paid our contract amount too.They even threatened us and said they would kick our asses or disrupt our shows. It never happened anyway.One time we booked a show the Liars and The Clap at a house Party,things started off alright we were volleying sets back and forth I don't know if the liars got to fucked up or what but chip smashed his guitar and Todd the singer punctured every one of the drum heads on the drum set !! Some people said that people were booing them I don't know I was with this girl trying to get in her pants, which I did.Any way that was usually the case with a liars show they were always a loose cannon and a rival of sorts mostly just a pain in the ass.(slap the Clap were the liars) was there chant.some times you will here it at my other bands shows (Nostalgia Crisis)the slam hounds and Dox like to needle me with it But I don't care,I have more important things to worry about than dribble from no ones.I have always worked hard for The Clap and wanted to make something of myself,I think I've done a lot for the local punk seen to be proud .

Life Is Fun Wish You Were Here

2011-11-23T18:19:00.001-05:00

When the dust settled from the first few shows we Knew we had to get right to work.Things started happening too we got a manager and a place to practice.It was a couple down the road Dave and Beverly Mc Quillen They Managed us and she had a barber shop where we would practice in the waiting room.We started learning new songs and writing a lot of new originals.Most of the songs were about life experiences Or some fucked up thing that would happen..Gigs were hard to get for a punk band in the 70's it was pretty much frowned upon,but we still got shows and good paying ones.We played carnivals and dances at parks in the summer and dance halls in the winter where we would set up the whole show.Doing shows at bars was hard at first mike and Robbie would need to have permission slips filed out for school and for the L.C.B.But we managed to get pretty many shows.

There was another Catty punk band called the Liars.They always wanted us to get them shows or let them open the show for us ,a support Band.We told them to fuck off! They were a time bomb .a risk ,a bridge burner.We had enough trouble getting gigs with the name of the band being THE CLAP !!Any way there were a lot of shows some I remember some are a bit Fuzzy The photo's are from these shows,Maybe you were there.Let us know all feed back is welcome.

Believe It Or Not Were Walking On Air

2011-11-22T16:35:00.001-05:00

Wow! What a show,What a punk performance,What a High,We were the buzz of the town.Things just seemed to be falling into place.We Needed a place to Practice and a friend of mine a former Girlfriend Kelly Beshins parents we are out of town for a while .Her Living room made due for a week which ended with a party that Friday night.The Party was Great we managed to Learn a few songs The Sex Pistols,Ramones.,The Diodes,angelic Upstarts,the Clash and a few more originals.The House was packed people bopping everywhere I think everyone got laid that night.We were Going to do a Saturday Night show But a Friend of mine new someone looking for a replacement band.I made a few connections and Landed the Gig For $300.00 At Carrol's Paradise in Bowman's town Pa.We Had To Play 3 sets 40 minutes each.We Got together about an hour of music and Hit the stage.We were pumped I can't Even Remember what we used to sing out of.Well that hour of music was done in record time about 30 min.So we mixed the songs up and did those songs 3x over we didn't care and neither did the people. The place was packed I didn't even Know any of the People But they were bopping all night. The Owner never noticed we played the songs over and over again He was just happy about all the beer and Iiqure he sold.At the end of the Night I went up for a beer and he only had a 6 pack in the cooler and that was it a 6 pack.Well needless to say we were Booked up there Right away.What a weekend and a follow up from our 1 st show Things were going good and even getting better.As for that Party People ripped that girl off blind they stole so much shit.I was Pissed always a damper put on a good time.Well there will be plenty more of them a lot of good times and bad times That is what Rock and Roll is all about !!!

The First Show

2011-11-18T14:35:00.001-05:00

Well Here we were our first show ! What were we going to do, what were we going to play ?We Didn't Really have any full songs yet and I really didn't sing and play that good yet.So we decided to Go with the Ramones blitz krig bop. That was easy to play and we learned the whole song end to end.Then a brain storm how about our own song.Well that was it the birth of the first song VD is no laughing matter. It was a 3 chord number with a driving beat and nice and fast.Even had a small drop out where just the bass and drums played and then a glizz into the final verse and out.We also learned God Save The Queen Some what.We Rehearsed a few times in the drummers garage We tightened the songs up as best we could.We were ready !
The First show a talent show in front of the whole student body . This was going to be great ! we were psyched .We were all buzzed on some booze and weed Dressed in our best punk attire.The Crowd was ready for us as well we had advertised and told everyone we were a punk band and we had a crazy punk show.

We were the 3 rd act to go on there was a band going on after us so we knew we had to be good.With a 1,2,3,4 we started off with blitz-krig-bop people rushed the stage they were bopping in the isles camera flashes were going off , chicks screaming.We ended the first song to burst of screams and 1,2,3,4, into VD's No Laughing matter We were Jammin, a fuckin Punk rock Machine we were stars.we ended the song and the place erupted into cheers and screams and chanting "We Want The Clap". we UN-plugged and exited stage left up the hall to a class room they directed us to.We were running People rushed the stage and were chasing us we couldn't believe what was happening they Loved us .We were looking at each other catching our breath and the principle came up to us and said you boys better have something to settle them down with.I said shure and we took the stage for our anchor and belt6ed out what we knew of god save the Queen ! The song ended with me and Rex smashing out notes Robbie kicking down his drums while I shouted out curse words and obesity
What a show what a performance we won 2nd place a $40.00 prize which we put right up our noses that night.That was the beginning of punk in the Lehigh Valley The way I remembered it.The way I lived It.It was such a great time of my life and I am enjoying doing this blog.I hope every one enjoys reading it .

Naming a Band

2011-11-12T18:19:00.001-05:00

I don't remember exactly how we came up with the name THE CLAP we tossed a few ideas around..I Know the Johnny Lofty band was out of the Question.It Had to be something catchy something sick something really PUNK.I Know We must have been drunk and high because that was the norm.Hell that's the way my band mates and me met.I use to sell bags of weed a Quarter oz here an eight oz there or a few joints It was all Small time but I made some serious money.I made enough to buy a Guitar and an amp which I still use today.My First Guitar was a sears Model My mom Got it in the sears catalogue it was my Christmas present /Birthday.None of that mattered any way I had a guitar and I was going to be in a band.When I met Mike Rex He was a regular customer one day he saw my guitar and said he played before we knew it we were in my attic Jam in we added a friend of his on Drums Robbie Brungard and that was the start.We Jammed songs by groups like Budgie ,Rush,Areosmith and other rock bands.I liked Punk and wanted to play punk but didn't say any thing I was just Glad to Be Jam in.Till One day I paged through Mikes Record collection and all the way in the back was the Sex Pistols Never Mind The Bullocks.That Was the day that changed every thing the path was set Every body was in we were going to play PUNK.We started learning Ramones and Sex Pistols songs the best we could we were very young and had very little music lessons.Mike was the only one that had any proper music lessons But none the less we forged on Practicing whenever we could and where ever we could.I know we practiced for a few months with no name.I didn't really even sing with the songs yet and then Robbie Booked us at a talent show at the High school.!!! He Booked us as THE CLAP ! Well that was it we were going to have our first gig As the band THE CLAP!!!