The Mechanics 5547362 224048606 2008-07-07T02:16:55Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other '''The Mechanics''' (1977–1981) are considered to be the first [[punk band]] to come out of [[Fullerton, California]]. [[Image:freek2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Mechanics: Tim Racca, Sandy Hansen, Brett Alexander, Scott Hoogland and Dennis Catron standing in front of a Fullerton, California automobile repair garage]] The Mechanics were a fusion of two bands, the L.A. Brats (Scott Hoogland, Brett Alexander, Sandy Hansen and Dennis Catron) and Tim Racca from Head Over Heels. Head Over Heels also featured Danny Furious (O'Brien: pre-[[Joan Jett]]) and Greg Scars (Westermark) before they left for [[San Francisco]] to form The Avengers. Since there was no "punk metal" classification at the time, The Mechanics shared bills with bands as diverse as [[Fear (band)|Fear]] and [[The Runaways]], and [[heavy metal|metal]] groups featuring future [[Mötley Crüe]] members [[Tommy Lee]] and [[Mick Mars]]. Included among their fan base were [[Blackie Lawless]], [[Jeff Dahl]] and members of [[Van Halen]]. They are now remembered mostly by [[Fullerton]] musicians who watched them in their teens like [[Mike Ness]], [[Dennis Danell]], and [[Rikk Agnew]] (who currently leads the band [[Poop]] with Mechanics singer Scott Hoogland). Though they released only one 45 [[rpm]] [[Single (music)|single]] during their existence, their songs turned up on other's records, namely [[The Adolescents]] ('Frustrated' from Balboa Fun Zone) and The Avengers (their Dangerhouse single 'Car Crash' is a reworking of 'Warm Hollywood Welcome', now worth a mint on [[EBay]].) == Current whereabouts == *Tim Racca - Still residing in [[Fullerton, California]]. Has recorded three [[CD]]s as 16 Tons (with drummer [[Randy Carr]]) and Da Losers, and sporadically plays live. *Scott Hoogland - Currently lives in Murrieta and sings in Poop with [[Rikk Agnew]] and [[Perry Giordano]]. *[[Tim Maag]] - Played with [[The Cramps]] (renamed 'Touch Hazard' for the 'Can your pussy do the dog?' single), [[D.I.]], [[Social Distortion]], and The Swing Set with Alice Bag on vocals. Still residing in [[Fullerton]]. *Brett Alexander - Music writer, now based in [[Tucson, Arizona]]. *Dennis Catron - Art Director. *Sandy Hansen - Played with China White, 22 Jacks, Joyride, [[The Adolescents]], and is currently with the blues-based Mama Hagglin'. *Mike Couden, Scott Koehler and Eric Overman - Unknown. == Quotations == *"The Mechanics. Hard-rocking, [[Iggy Pop|Iggy]]-esque 1970s godfathers to the whole [[Fullerton]] [[Punk rock|punk]] scene. They inspired the wee lads who became [[Social D]] and [[Agent Orange (band)|Agent Orange]], and introduced the harmonized octave guitar sound that [[The Adolescents]] emulated on their blue album." — Mike Boehm, [[L.A. Times]] *"There was this band called The Mechanics from [[Fullerton]] who never did anything cause they were so far ahead of their time. I think probably out of all the bands, they influenced me the most." — [[Mike Ness]], [[Social Distortion]] *"No Brakes / Drivin' Me Away 7 inch Chateau East, 1981 PS. Hard rock punk crossovers from late 1970s [[Fullerton]]. [[Guitarist]] Tim's playing style would be copped by fellow locals the Adolescents, whom The Mechanics heavily influenced." — Brian, Grand Theft Audio *"Steve liked a band called The Mechanics. They were more rock than they were punk and I thought the lead singer sounded like [[Geddy Lee]] of [[Rush (band)|Rush]]. I walked out in the middle of their set at Club 88 and Steve was really pissed at me." — Unknown girl, via the [[Internet]] [[Image:mechbrakes.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Mechanics 45rpm single included two Tim Racca, Scott Hoogland compositions, ''No Brakes'' and ''Drivin' Me Away'']] == External links == *[http://www.evilbrowncoiler.com Scott Hoogland and Rikk Agnew's current band Poop] *[http://www.bsamusic.com Bassist Brett Alexander] *[http://www.answers.com/topic/da-losers Tim Racca's 16 Tons Bio] *[http://www.mamahagglintakeone.com Sandy Hansen's band Mama Hagglin'] [[Category:American punk rock groups|Mechanics, The]]