The Alley Cats (punk rock band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Randy Stodola, Dianne Chai, John McCarthy |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music |
The Alley Cats are a punk rock trio originating from Los Angeles, California, established in 1977. The founding members—Randy Stodola (guitar and vocals), Dianne Chai (bass and vocals), and John McCarthy (drums)—played a significant role in shaping the early Los Angeles punk movement. They were signed to Dangerhouse Records, joining other influential California punk groups such as the Bags, Black Randy and the Metro Squad, and X. Their first single, "Nothing Means Nothing Anymore" with the B-side "Give Me a Little Pain," was released in March 1978. The band contributed to the landmark 1979 compilation Yes L.A. and appeared in the 1982 documentary film Urgh! A Music War.
Throughout their early career, The Alley Cats frequently played at notable Los Angeles venues including Club 88, Hong Kong Café, The Masque, and the Whisky a Go Go. Music journalist Chris Morris characterized their sound as among the most intense and nihilistic within the scene.
Later adopting the name "The Zarkons," they produced two albums: Riders In The Long Black Parade (1985) and Between the Idea & the Reality...Falls the Shadow (1988), before ceasing activity in 1988.
Following a two-decade break, Randy Stodola revived The Alley Cats with new members Apryl Cady on bass and vocals, and Matt Laskey on drums. This formation is featured on the 2020 compilation SPIKE: A San Pedro Compilation. Their concerts include classic tracks, cover songs, along with newly composed material.
Albums
- 1981 - Nightmare City
- 1982 - Escape From The Planet Earth
- 1985 - Riders In The Long Black Parade (as The Zarkons)
- 1988 - Between the Idea & the Reality…Falls the Shadow (as The Zarkons)
- 2007 - 1979-1982 (Anthology)
Singles and EPs
- 1978 - Nothing Means Nothing Anymore
- 1980 - Too Much Junk
Soundtracks and compilations
- 1979 - Yes L.A. (compilation)
- 1981 - Urgh! A Music War (soundtrack)
- 1991 - Dangerhouse, Vol. 1 (compilation)
- 1993 - Dangerhouse, Vol. 2: Give Me A Little Pain! (compilation)
- 1993 - We're Desperate: The L.A. Scene 1976-79 (compilation) – "Nothing Means Nothing Anymore"
- 1996 - Live From the Masque, Vol. 2: We We Can Can Do Do What What (compilation)
- 2020 - SPIKE: A San Pedro Compilation (compilation)
Filmography
- 1981 - Urgh! A Music War
- 2011 - The Alley Cats Live at the Whisky A Go Go