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The Droogs

About Me

The Droogs came and went during the early days of the Chicago punk scene around 1980. In the fall of 1979, guitarist Mark and drummer George had a brainwave of an idea to post a “Bass Player Wanted” ad at the local A&P grocery store. It wasn't long after that bass player Tom saw the ad tacked to the wall between the ads for babysitters and used lawnmowers and gave them a call. An immediate bond formed as they realized their mutual musical influences. In particular was their shared experience of having seen The Ramones on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.

Originally calling themselves The Strangers, the band developed their power trio sound based on covering their favorite bands: The Ramones, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Devo and even punk versions of some Chuck Berry classics. Right as the band was booking it's first gig, the three members happened to see the movie A Clockwork Orange at a local theater. They liked what they saw and decided to call themselves The Droogs. They began a steady run for two years playing clubs and parties. Anywhere they could, The Droogs delivered their powerful guitar-laden tribute to the punk sound that was becoming more and more popular in Chicago.

They were under age and only a few Chicago venues like C.O.D., Space Place and the W.Y.O. would book them. The Space Place on West Fulton in Chicago was their favorite place to play and also hang out. They hooked up with Screaming Rachel who ran the Space Place where the crowd sometimes partied in the old concrete pickle vats on the first floor of the club. The Space Place had once been home to a pickle factory and was converted for use as band rehearsal rental and the all-ages night club. A favorite hangout for a few years (1979-1981), The Space Place provided a local alternative to the lame pop music of the late 70's early 1980's.

The Droogs recorded several originals and planned to release an EP but money was tight and it never happened. In the fall of 1981, trouble split up the band and they never played together again. As of the Summer 2009, the three original members have been in contact and a Droogs reunion may happen in the near future! Stay tuned as this band is sure to be a part of the new interest in the early 80's Chicago punk scene.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 02/09/2006
Band Members: Mark B. - guitar/lead vocals
Tom H. - bass gutar/vocals
George D. - drums/vocals
Influences: The Ramones, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Devo, Buzzcocks, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, A Clockwork Orange
Sounds Like: Buzzcocks, Gang of Four, The Clash

The Droogs own music focused mostly on cultural themes such as: the ironies of suburban middle class lifestyles and the disregard for class equality for the sake of convenience, affiliation and social norms and their pressures and path to drug use and addiction. Other themes dealt with the threat of global catastrophe.


Record Label: Unsigned

My Blog

Droogs Tunes Coming Soon!

Stay tuned for Droogs music coming soon. We're digging around for some 25 year old tapes.
Posted by on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 07:56:00 GMT