About Me
Gregorian Ponks were formed in 1982 by Pete Papageorges, Dave Zes and Paul Landeros - a group of high school friends with a common interest in music, pizza and explosives. After auditioning a vast array of vocalists, the Ponks decided to remain a three piece and play instrumental music. Inspired by artists such as: Pink Floyd, Rush, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, the Ponks develop a sound and style that was a synthesis of 70's progressive rock and 80's LA Thrash Metal. A move that set them apart from the Glam-Rock "Hair-Bands" which had taken over Hollywood, CA in the 1980’s.Gregorian Ponks remained true to their roots throughout the shenanigans of the 1980’s. Never capitulating to spandex, makeup or high heels, the Ponks steadily built a large and loyal fan base. They successfully avoided the Sunset Strip during this era, gigging mostly in the grittier clubs of Long Beach, San Pedro, Covina and Orange County. The Ponks commonly played to packed houses and shared the bill with well established acts including: DRI, Racer X, Grindstone, Armed and Dangerous, Heathen, Holy Soldier, Loving Kindness and The Band Of Flesh (that connects the two cerebral hemisphere's) to name a few.The Ponks live shows featured a number of ridiculous stunts including: lab coat wearing scientist on stage sipping coffee and watching star trek, men in gas masks doing chemical experiments on stage and even a show featuring all the members of Gregorian wearing full-body chemical clean up suits compete with individual air flow systems. All in the spirit of fun, the Ponks and their fans always had a good laugh during and after the shows.The Gregorian Ponks recorded a couple of 24-track demos (87' & 91') both produced by recording engineer Thom Roy. The Ponks caught the attention of a number of A&R folks but never found the right match for their eclectic approach. As the 1980’s drew to a close, so did the final chapter in the original line-up of the Gregorian Ponks. In 1989 Paul Landeros was replaced on drums by James Coates and guitarist Papageorges left the band in early 1990. Led by bassist Zes, the Ponks forged ahead. In 1990, Gregorian Ponks finally added a vocalist - Scott Nocon (Steel Vengeance) and teamed up with a new guitarist - Kevin Paul. The Ponks went on to additional notoriety in the early 1990’s but finally dissolved in 1993. Members of Gregorian Ponks went on other projects: Trousers (Kevin Paul, James Coates), Beheadead/TwelveFoldChain (Kevin Paul, Scott Nocon), Power Lounge (Scott Nocon) and Oxxnard (Pete Papageorges, James Coates). - This page was created by: Pete Papageorges, an original founding member of the Ponks.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
