Originally published here
THE DEFENDERS
Los Angeles, CA – 1980-1985 – New Wave/Punk
I was a little boy in LA and my dad and his band would drink green bottles of pop-top Grolsch and practice in the living room of our little house. I remember plugging my ears to shield them from the loud and fast music.
Dave the drummer played with tight, closed hi-hats. My dad Paul was the goofy lead singer and made exaggerated facial expressions as he theatrically belted out their lyrics. The bassist Kenny had a cool leather jacket and a black Beatle bass. The guitarist Lawson bent his strings up into blue-notes and had a powerful scent on his clothing that I would later recognize as a teenager – marijuana. It sounded like rock and roll and I loved it. –Justin Maurer, son of Lead Singer Paul Maurer.
Take a trip to L.A., 1982 with The Defenders
I interview the Defenders for Razorcake Magazine here (some great photos too)
justin maurer 