Napalm Baby's

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Here's more of my old photos researched with the help of liked minded fans in the 1980's Punk Rockers in London, Ontario Facebook group during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21.

The Napalm Baby's were a hardcore/punk band of young men from the Byron suburb of London. The photo album at left (click on the image) is from a gig at the Embassy Hotel in East London sometime in 1982 or so. The Napalm Babies played that night with a similar Toronto band called "Youth, Youth, Youth". I believe this was  October 18, 1982 with D.O.A. as the headlining act — but, no promises, I didn't file things away with notes.

At that time the Napalm Baby's were: Dave Newsome (vox), Dan Husband (gtr), Rob Johnston (gtr), Bruce Fisher (bass), and Wayne Fisher (drums). The band formed in 1981 and evolved into "Condo Christ" around 1986. What Wave #24 (Dave O'Halloran's fanzine) documents the changing band members over the years.

Dave Newsome, in the photo, was really intense. I had a fish-eye Sigma 16mm lens and got up close for the picture. He was replaced by Jamie Conyers sometime around 1985.

On Facebook Jade Mitchell recalls: "Fun fact. I dated Dave Newsome when I was 18, I worked at A&M records in Westmount mall, he came in wearing a cowboy hat and plaid shirt, he was shopping for some Country music, I suggested he buy the Tubes album, the rest might be history. 😉 Oh, our first date was Texas chain saw massacre at the Mustang. hahahaha...". I loved the Tubes, "White Punks on Dope" from "What Do You Want from Live" (1978) was a drunken tune we philosphers would yell from the roof of my apartment at the Lord Dufferin. Daniel Rudbal recalls the line ".. Mom and Dad live in Hollywood, hang my self when I get enough rope.." and I tell the younger folk that "I was a punk before you were" (another great tune from that album).

Larry Brandt (of Dead Rabbits and Flying Squad) described the band as "5 Byron Boogs". That had me stumped, I know about Byron but had never heard of "boogs". He explained that "Boog was a nickname for the mischievous and wayward youths of Byron that ended up harassing cops, exploring sewer tunnels and playing in rock n roll and punk bands. Not sure who started that name."

You can find some of their music on Bandcamp — try this link for music from the "Boot to the Head" CD and from the "Animals Fight Back" C90. See also the very brief entry on Discogs. And search around on Youtube — there are some Fryfogle's videos.

Finally, this note composed during May, 2021 with the help of fans found on Facebook. Photos were taken at the time, scanned around 2012 and only recently shared.

D.O.A. Embassy Tavern

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More D.O.A. pictures from long ago. These are from BW negatives I've recently found and scanned (March 2021). They were in a folder dated 1983 but  research with fellow fans on Facebook tells me the event was Monday, October 18, 1982 (see D.O.A. tour dates). 

The show was at the Embassy Tavern and would have been the first time Kate and I ever saw them. There's a post by the stage that makes me think it was the Embassy and comments by friends on the Facebook group 1980's Punk Rockers in London, Ontario confirm that. We saw D.O.A. several times over the years; however, this lineup is how I've always identified as "the band" even though there's been a changing cast of characters over the years. I recognize Joe Keithley (of course), Dave Gregg (second guitar), Wimpy Roy (bass) and Dimwit on the drums. 

Some searching on Google tells me they were fronted by Youth, Youth and The Napalm Babies but I can't confirm that. I do recall the seeing the Napalm Babies a few times.

They played loud fast and furious. Joey glistens with sweat in the photos and there's a picture where he clears his nose onto the stage. They were more than a little intimidating and seemed to be giants among men. If you remember the gig, tell us more.

On Facebook Marty Spacil recalls "It would have been Oct 18, 1982. I went to Toronto to set it up on Friday and the promoter wanted $10 for the cover; I talked to the band and we said $4 for a Monday so people would come. I just had Saturday and Sunday to put up flyers around town and still it wasn't super packed." 

Chris Richards confirms the date: "Yes, this is the one Oct. 18/'82. I can tell by the clothes they're wearing because I took a few photos the same night." Many thanks to both for sharing their memories.

Daniel Rudbal tells us that between 1985-2016 that he, with October Crisis and/or the Black Donnellys, fronted for D.O.A several times in London.

Kate and I were married in 1980. On a honeymoon visit to Vancouver I picked up "Something Better Change" which was one of D.O.A.'s very first albums. I don't know if I had heard the band before buying the album. Back in the day you'd often buy music on spec — "Hmm, this looks interesting". And it was interesting! The cover, especially the back cover, appealed to me. Songs like "New Age", "The Prisoner" and "World War 3" still ring out. 

The photos in this album are from my BW negatives found during the COVID-19 Pandemic in March of 2021. These have never been printed, scanned or shared before. They're contrasty, grainy and far from perfect but the memories are still vivid.