The Marina Swingers got started in the late 1970’s when a couple of Loyola Marymount Communications Arts majors met in the LMU Pep Band. This university pep band would have had a hard time competing with the local junior high school marching band, specially when they played “Lonley Bull and Tijuana Taxi” (Eddie has a recording of the pep band rehearsals - oh my God!). Jocko played flute and Eddie played drums though he could barely read the sheet music. They became immediate friends and with LMU buddies Art Valasquez and Chris Bronsol began playing in cover bands for fraternity parties and dances, as well as volunteering to record sound tracts for student films and video productions.
After graduating, Jocko and Eddie wanted to go in the studio (any studio) and record a song they wrote entitled “I’m a Swinger.” Jocko was working for Mattel Toy Company as a recording engineer and was provided extra time to use the studio to record. So after hours, sessions began. Eddie and Jocko recorded all the musical tracks and vocals ( LMU buddies Toddius and Cheryl helped with back ground vocals). They mixed the song, made a few prototype singles and sent the single to KXLU, LMU’s FM college station.
Dee-jay Stella began spinning the disc during her show and Phil Culp (LAX Records) heard the track and asked Eddie if he could remix “I’m a Swinger” at Goldstar Studios in Hollywood. Eddie attended the session and was told Stevie Wonder was coming in later that nite and he may be able to meet him. LAX Records released the dramatically improved mix (Jim Hill engineered) and pressed 1000 copies and the Southern California adventure began. Another KXLU Dee-jay was an intern at the innovative LA radio station KMET and played “I’m a Swinger” for Dr. Demento. Demento played “I’m a Swinger” on his nationally syndicated show and the song made Demento’s “Top Ten” for two weeks. Jed the Fish (KROQ) played “Swinger” on a Friday nite while the very young and inexperienced Swingers were listening to KROQ while taking a dinner break during rehearsals at Allen’s garage.
Jocko and Eddie had previously performed original material with a thrown together band of LMU friends and musicians, but things became more serious because of “I’m a Swinger” and the Marina Swingers could now book shows in various clubs in LA. They immediately began recruiting some amazing players: Toddius Maximus (LMU student) on bass, Norham (Mattel Toy Company engineer) on drums and Esteban (friend of a friend of Jocko’s) to play keyboards and synthesizers. The high energy group clicked musically and had a common desire to achieve. Since Eddie had never sang before he recorded “I’m a Swinger” and had no vocal experience, coordinating vocals for a live show was a bit challenging. But the Swingers were confident, had no fear and began piecing together a set to play at local clubs.
Actually LAX Records introduced “I’m a Swinger” to parts of Europe where the track generated some interest. It should be noted in later years, Walhalla Records re-released “I’m a Swinger” in Belgium (apparently “I’m a Swinger”was a Belgium club hit back in the late 70’s and early 80’s) and Marina Records released “I’m a Swinger” in Germany.
Toddius Maximus booked the first Marina Swingers show at LMU’s “Birds Nest,” a circular structure on the point over looking what was then Hughs Aircraft and all of West LA. Eddie asked his friend Michael Muffins, an amazing artist, video artist, writer and brilliant live performer to front the band. The club was packed, the young Swingers were nervous and Muffins executed an amazing performance. The LMU students went nuts (we have a rough recording of the show).
Eddie worked as a bartender and assistant manager at the Sweetwater, a well known niteclub in Redondo Beach. Owners Jim Conroy and Richard Stacy always supported the young Swingers and booked two Swinger / Muffins shows. Mike Muffins moved on to pursue his solo career and the Swingers were forced to make quick adjustments and fill the void of the departing and amazing front man. It was rough for the Swingers as Eddie quickly adapted as the front man and shows varied dramatically. On one occasion the Swingers played a small empty club in Santa Monica (Pippins) on a late cold rainy Sunday nite with only six people sitting in the audience (rain was pouring into buckets in front of the stage). Two of the six viewers left and the Swingers could barely hear the sound of the meager applause through the deafening sound of rain water pouring into the buckets. They almost got electrocuted too.
Things gradually did get much better and the Swingers graduated to entertaining raucous crowds at sold out LA venue landmarks: The Whisky, The Roxy, the Troubadour, The Starwood, and Redondo Beach’s Fleetwood and The Sweetwater. The Sweetwater provided the appreciative Swingers numerous opportunities to open for headlining acts. The Marina Swingers also shot three videos for “New Wave Theater” a cable TV Show broadcasting throughout the states.
During the first year, some nights Eddie would be dodging ice cubes. The Swingers recall Celebrity Dee-Jay Comedian Frazier Smith, coming into their dressing room at the Whisky a Go Go following a rough performance and encouraging the dejected Swingers to keep going. “Take the ice cubes as a compliment,” he said, “you’re on to something.” The Swingers took Frazier’s advice and expanded their comedic routines during performances. Frazier later asked the Swingers to open for his comedy review for four sold out shows at the Roxy. Both evenings were outrageous and tremendous successes.
The Swingers later teamed up with Jan Ballard, a manager active in the scene who became a friend and along with Eddie booked the Swingers in a number of LA clubs. Jan could laugh with the best of them and the Swingers had great times with Jan during rehearsals, performances and during cocktail hours after shows. The Swingers recall after one show, Jan sharing a pretty funny story. Jan stated Madame Wongs West owner Ester Wong said “The Swinger’s defacation does not draw flies.”
During the late 70’s and early 80’s, the LA and Southbay music scene was full of amazing musicians, poets and artists. The Swingers created some truly original recordings that clearly defined the unique and creative imagination of this distinctively different southbay orchestra.
During their live performance years, they graced the stages of numerous LA Clubs. Some nice and some a little rough - one club on La Brea near Wilcox was nicknamed “The Urinal.” At this interesting establishment The Swingers were asked to perform after a well known LA band had finished recording their new album and was going to hit the road. Their road crew, friends and recording engineers wanted to celebrate and jam at the club.
These quasi musicians drank themselves silly and performed by playing instruments and throwing raw fish all over the club. Definetly the most unpleasant gig the Swingers ever did. Rumors have it that a friend of the Swingers bought a couple raw fish at a market and put it in one of the band’s new traveling cases purchased at a local retailer. No proof of this - just a rumor. Pretty funny……
The Swingers made 85 appearances and generated $8,500, most of which was consumed by rehearsals, wardrobe, and cocktail hours. In other words, they didn’t make a dime.
But they sure shared the stage with some terrific bands (see the website section on other groups): Translator, Oingo Boingo,Wall of Voodoo, the Nobodys, Wet Picnic, 20/20, the Bangles, the Blasters, The Twisters, Romeo Void, Great Buildings, Comedian Frazier Smith, the Surf Punks and so many others.
Besides the larger clubs mentioned above, the Swingers frequently performed at Club 88, Madame Wong’s East and West, Blackies East and West, Pier 52 in Hermosa Beach, The Music Machine and a lot more one night stands.
There were some important friends, mentors and artists that allowed the Marina Swingers to pursue their dream. Thanks so much Stella (KXLU), Phil Culp (Lax Records), the great amazing Michael Muffins, The great deejay Dr. Demento, Jan Ballard (manager), Dee-jay Comedian Frazier Smith, Shelly Heber (manager 20/20), the Sweetwater owners Jimmy Conroy (a wonderful jazz and blues artist), Richard Stacy and John Campbell, Jim Call (light designer), Gene Depiano (photographer), Michael Franet (photographer at the Whisky) Harvey Kubrenick (Freeway Records) and Mike Morris and Dale Morgan for helping us in so many ways . Original members Eddie and Norham are still recording new songs and producing videos today (contact@ Admiralty Way Productions).
