Twinkeyz
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Sacramento, California , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, new wave music |
The Twinkeyz emerged as a punk rock ensemble in 1977, originating from Sacramento, California. They hold the distinction of being Sacramento's inaugural punk group and are considered trailblazers in the city's initial new wave movement.
History
The band was spearheaded by songwriter Don Marquez, who performed under the alias Donnie Jupiter. The Twinkeyz came together in 1977, drawing their name as a tribute to Twink, the British drummer from the Pink Fairies. Their musical style was influenced by acts such as the Ramones, Television, and Blondie.
Initially starting in Davis, California, the project began as a recording collaboration between guitarists Jupiter and Walter Smith along with drummer Keith McKee. Sessions took place at Moon Studios, operated by producer David Houston. In 1977, they independently released their first single, "Aliens in Our Midst," on their self-established Twirp label. As momentum grew, a live lineup was assembled featuring guitarist Tom Darling, drummer Marc Bonilla, and backing vocalist Wit Witkowski. Following their debut performance in San Francisco, Smith exited the group, leaving Jupiter and Darling as the primary members supported by various musicians including Steve Bateman and Dan Dollar (Honey).
The band renamed their label Grok Records and reissued "Aliens in Our Midst" in 1978 with a fresh B-side titled "One Thousand Reasons." That same year saw the release of their second single "E.S.P." accompanied by "Cartoon Land" on its flip side.
In 1979, Twinkeyz launched their only full-length album, Alpha Jerk, through Dutch label Plurex Records, which was overseen by Wally van Middendorp, founder of Minny Pops. The initial pressing was limited to 1800 copies. A remastered and remixed version was later released in 2016 by S.S. Records.
Anopheles Records has issued two compilation albums: Aliens in Our Midst: Complete Recordings 1977–1980, available on CD in both the US and Japan markets, and Cartoon Land, pressed on clear vinyl.
Following the band's dissolution in 1980, Marquez shifted his focus toward visual arts with an emphasis on painting and comic creation.
Reviews and critical reception
Richie Unterberger of AllMusic identifies the Twinkeyz as early proponents of the D.I.Y. ethos, merging elements of '60s psychedelic rock, Stones-inspired sounds, and influences from the Velvet Underground.
Alpha Jerk and compilations
Unterberger characterized the 1979 album Alpha Jerk as a fusion of new wave and early pre-Paisley Underground styles, featuring science fiction motifs on tracks such as 'Aliens in Our Midst' and 'E.S.P.' The 2016 reissue rectified previous audio mastering flaws with audiophile Karl Ikola collaborating alongside Jupiter to create what Sacramento's Submerge magazine described as a "psyche-warping record well ahead of its era."
Joseph Neff from The Vinyl District regarded Alpha Jerk as an important artifact representing proto-punk before it became codified; he noted its Velvet Underground inspirations combined with raw early punk energy.
Joe Gross of Spin reviewed the 1998 compilation Aliens in Our Midst: Complete Recordings 1977–1980, emphasizing the band's gritty sound marked by manipulated vocals, acid-infused guitar work, synthesizer textures, and Mellotron layers. He commended both studio recordings and live performances for their unfiltered vigor, suggesting this collection captures both what existed and what potential remained if Twinkeyz had persisted beyond the early 1980s.
"Aliens in Our Midst"
The band's inaugural single, "Aliens in Our Midst," has enjoyed enduring praise from critics for more than three decades:
- In the 1992 publication England's Dreaming, British music journalist Jon Savage hailed it as an unparalleled blend of garage and psychedelic rock with a distinctive queer perspective.
- Music critic and artist Scott Miller referred to it as a "premier DIY masterpiece" in his 2010 work Music: What Happened?.
- In his 2011 book Midtown Sacramento: Creative Soul of the City, author William Burg referenced the song's lyrics to emphasize Midtown’s unique cultural character.
The track has been interpreted by Wussy on their 2018 record What Heaven Is Like, performed live by Yo La Tengo during a 2011 fundraising event for nonprofit station WFMU, and included as a bonus cut by Game Theory featuring Donnie Jupiter on the 2014 Omnivore reissue of their 1982 debut album Blaze of Glory.
Recording personnel
The 1977 release of "Aliens in Our Midst" backed with "Little Joey" featured Donnie Jupiter on vocals and guitar, Steve Bateman contributing vocals and percussion, Walter Smith handling vocals, guitar, and bass, Wit Witkowski on bass, with Keith McKee playing drums and Dave Houston serving as engineer.
For the 1978 Grok Records reissue pairing "Aliens in Our Midst" with "One Thousand Reasons," the lineup included Keith McKee on drums, Donnie Jupiter providing lead vocals and rhythm guitar, and Tom Darling playing lead guitar and bass. Production was led by Dave Houston, who also added synthesizer and effects. This same ensemble appeared on the 1978 single "E.S.P." backed with "Cartoon Land."
The 1979 Plurex Records release of Alpha Jerk credited Donnie Jupiter with vocals, guitar, and bass; Honey with vocals, bass, and guitar; Keith McKee with drums and vocals; and Tom Darling contributing vocals, guitar, and bass. The album was produced by the Twinkeyz and recorded at Moon Studios, with Dave Houston also performing on bass and synthesizer.