CBGBs was a rough bar. The Hell's Angels called it theirs. No one questioned their right to act like they owned the place. At least they scared off most other asshole bikers, although not every night. It was the night of the Cramps' first show at the Bowery club. The place was packed with affectionados on punk. The Cramps played as if tomorrow the world was diving into the sun.
I Was a Teenage Werewolf, Sunglasses After Dark, Strychnine, and a cover of the Trashmens' Surfer Bird highlighted the show, although the performance was overshadowed by James Chance of the Contortions taking the stage. Not to perform, but to fondle two biker chicks. Their boyfriends were in the front row. James stuck out his tongue. The girls thought it was funny.
The biker boy not.
A solid right to Chance's nose sent the sax player into the drum set.
Eric Mitchell, film actor extraordinaire, jumped onto the stage. The band kept playing Surfing Bird. The biker looped a slow overhead right. His fist impacted on Eric's nose. It was louder than the band. Blood everywhere. Merv the bouncer threw out the bikers. He was 6-6and looked like a family member of the Addams family.
The next night Eric entered the club with a double black eye.
James too.
They were everyone's darlings.
For that night and beyond.
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