If, like me, you were unable to attend the San Francisco Amoeba Music instore by legendary pioneering San Francisco punk rock band Crime in celebration of their new vinyl album "Exalted Masters" a couple of Fridays ago then, no doubt, you too are curious as to how the event went.

If so then check out the review that my man David Suisman  wrote about it (see below) as well as peep all 24 photos (3 here) during the Haight Street store free, all-ages concert  in the Amoeba Music online gallery. Click here.  And as you can see from the crowd shot (below left) it was pretty well attended.

 Additionally if you missed reading it in advance of the September 21st concert - go back and check  the  Bay Area Crew AMOEBLOG titled "San Francisco Is Still Doomed (Still)"   - which is a really excellent in-depth preview of the event & interview with Crime's Hank Rank and Johnny Strike - who incidentally was also signing copies of his new book  "A Loud Humming Sound Came From Above" (Rudos and Rubes).


CRIME AMOEBA INSTORE:
I saw Crime at Amoeba in San Francisco on Friday September 21st. The lineup had two original members (Johnny Strike on gtr and Hank Rank on drums), with two local garage rock guys, Brett Stillo and Michael Lucas, filling in on guitar and  bass. I was hoping they'd be wearing cop uniforms, which would've looked even better on their middle age frames than they did when they were young uns, but had to settle for black pants, white shirts, and black vests adorned with police badges.

San Francisco’s legendary early punk band Crime is back and Amoeba is hosting the unveiling of their new LP (vinyl only folks!) Exalted Masters with an in-store performance and signing on Friday, September 21st at 7:00pm. But wait, there’s more! Frontman Johnny Strike will also be signing and his new book A Loud Humming Sound Came From Above, published by Rudos and Rubes.

Crime was formed in 1976 by Johnny Strike, Frankie Fix, Ron "The Ripper" Greco (ex-Chosen Few/Flamin' Groovies), and Ricky James. They ripped post-hippie San Francisco a metaphorical new one when they released their first (and many say Punk’s first) single “Hot Wire My Heart / Baby You're So Repulsive.” There was no mistaking these guys for mere rockers; they mixed a rebellious and sexually-charged image (they were most often seen flaunting their vampiric, just-outta-rehab good looks in tight leather, regulation police uniforms, or old-time gangster duds) with their unique blend of intellectual and furious lo-fi rock and roll. Crime found local refuge at the now legendary Mabuhay Gardens, but became nationally notorious after playing a gig at San Quentin Penitentiary in full police uniforms (of course).