Young Alcoholics

From WikiSCUM

Young Alcoholics was a Santa Cruz punk band (1981-1982) involving former Scrud editors Scot E. Wheeler and Myk Erxn, both of whom were in high school at the time. Never particularly organized, the band had several semi-incarnations and was known at various times as K-Mart Shoppers, Skin A Dog, and/or The Breathing Toolsheds.

Long since ballyhooed in Scrud, the band lurched into existence when The Scapegoats approached Scot E., then 14, and asked if he had a band that could open the Circle Jerks show at The Warehouse (Coral Street) (so the Scapegoats wouldn't be perceived as the opening act). Scot E. deadpanned, "Yeah, I have a band. It's called Skin A Dog." Skin A Dog turned out to be Scot E. on vocals, Joey Peters' 13-year-old brother Johnny Peters on guitar, and Myk Erxn on nothing. There was no bass player, drummer, or repertoire. In short, there was no band. A rehearsal was held at the last minute with Joey on drums and Henry Hample on bass. This configuration opened the Circle Jerks show.

Following his acquisition of an actual guitar, Myk became the band's guitarist and clown prince, and their name was changed to the Young Alcoholics. Their next major appearance was at a private party, to which the Scapegoats were coyly invited so that their equipment, and a bassist and drummer, would be available.

Later, a UCSC student named O'Bituary Cunningham was brought in as lead singer, so Scot E. switched to drums. Bassists came and went in revolving-door fashion. YA's music became even more free-form at that point, if such a thing was possible. For example, one song performed at the Santa Cruz Art Center consisted of O'Bituary screaming "Wash Rob's pan, it's your responsibility!" over and over into the mike while the rest of the band made as much random noise as possible. If nothing else, they were absolutely hilarious. Sadly, no known recordings have been handed down to us.

Steve Stevenson, the guitarist from M.A.D., once told KOA Fanzine: "Young Alcoholics, they're our main influence. They're so shitty they're good."