Jerk Ward

Photo from the book "All Your Ears Can Hear". Jerk Ward officially formed September 1982 as a young teen trio consisting of Randy - bass/vocals, Steve - guitar/vocals, and John - drums. Making noise together since late 1980, their earliest anthems included "Kill the Pongos", "Nana Mouskouri Sings Punk Rock", and their cult-hit "UFO". The boys soon befriended local hardcore group the Neos, propelling them to play faster, shorter, and better as they progressed. Spring '83 the group recorded unique rehearsal tapes for people who'd mailed them tapes, followed by a summer session for the BYO Victoria compilation tape, and by September they played their first show alongside Dischord recording artists Scream. At the show they met Julian, the only person they'd met who had one of their rehearsal tapes. With Randy taking on lead vocals, Julian joined on bass and they played their first gig as a quartet November '83. Their first official demo, "Inside My Head" was recorded by Neos guitarist Steve Bailey and circulated in very small numbers, with one copy even receiving a positive review by Tim Yohannon in Maximum Rock n Roll Magazine. Returning to Steve's basement in April '84, th... more...