Germs

The Germs initially drew musical influences from Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Ramones, the Runaways, Sex Pistols and New York Dolls. Early on, Smear was the only musically experienced member; Doom survived early performances by sliding a finger up and down the fretboard of her bass while Rhia generally kept a minimal beat on the bass drum, periodically bashing a cymbal.

Early performances were usually marked by raucous crowds made up of the band's friends. As a result, their gigs became notorious for being rowdy and usually coming dangerously close to riots.

The first single, Forming, was recorded on a Sony two-track reel-to-reel recorder in Smear's family garage, and arrived back from the pressing plant with a note warning "this record may cause ear cancer" printed on the sleeve, much to the band's displeasure. It was released in July 1977 on the 'What?' label.

The Germs, despite most expectations, developed a sound that was highly influential. Throughout their career, they had a reputation as a chaotic live band. Crash often arriving onstage nearly incoherent from drugs, singing everywhere but into the microphone and taunting the audience between songs, yet nevertheless, delivering intense theatrical and increasingly musical performances. The other band members prided themselves on similar problems, with many contemporary reviews citing collapses, incoherence and drunken vomiting onstage. Fans saw this as part of the show, and indeed, the band presented it as such, even when breaking bottles and rolling in the glass, with the music coming and going. Smear, for his part, was revealed to be a remarkably talented and fluid player.

Following the release of their only studio album, the Germs recorded six original songs with producer Jack Nitzsche for the soundtrack to the film, Cruising, starring Al Pacino.

After several line-up changes and singles, by 1980, Crash was becoming impatient with drummer Bolles' antics, fired him and replaced him with his friend and lover Rob Henley, a fellow heroin addict. This line-up didn't last and the band disbursed soon after.

Shortly after the Germs split, Crash and Smear formed the short-lived Darby Crash Band. Circle Jerks drummer Lucky Lehrer joined the band on the eve of their first (sold-out) live performance when, during a soundcheck, Darby kicked out the drummer they had rehearsed with. The band, described by Smear as "like the Germs, but with worse players", played only a few gigs to lukewarm reaction before splitting up.

Crash committed suicide on December 7, 1980, at age 22. Unreported at the time, Crash had overdosed on heroin in a suicide pact with close friend Casey "Cola" Hopkins, who survived. She later insisted that he did not intend for her to live, nor did he change his mind at the last minute and intend for himself to live.

In 2005, actor Shane West was cast to play Crash in the biographical film What We Do Is Secret. He performed with Smear, Doom and Bolles at the film's wrap party, and afterwards, the Germs reunited with West as their new front man. This lineup of the band toured worldwide, which included performances at the 2006 and 2008 Warped tours. This line-up would subsequently split in 2009. A reformation would happen briefly in 2013 but this reformation would close the book in the Germs and leave behind a legend of music that was influential to many later rock acts.

Smear went on to achieve greater fame performing with Nirvana and Foo Fighters.