Negative Trend was formed in 1977 by Craig Gray and Will Shatter from the shortlived (2 gigs) band Grand Mal. After seeing Rozz break his wrist jumping over an amp singing an Iggy song at a party at Iguana studios,they decided he was there new man. Only together in this form for about 6 months, this version of NT were known for chaotic, unpredictable shows. More likely than not Rozz would be swinging from the rafters, leaping at the audience from a PA stack or generally abusing himself and the audience. The music reflected the chaos of the live show. The CD, The Miners Benefit captures this era of NT and is the only recording of that version of the band. The CD Rozz and NT is not a Negative Trend realease but a Rozz solo project. Just to clarify a couple of rumors. Rozz's last name is Rezabek, not Williams. NT were asked by Malcom Mclaren to go .. the Sex Pistols at Winterland. They did not. They were stopped by Bill Graham's biker security. Rozz quit the band without informing anyone so they broke up for a short time until they found a new drummer and singer.
Michael Waters and Steve Depace joined the reformed band and the shows became leaner and meaner. No longer a assaulting the audience physically, Negative Trend began to assault them with the music and the intensity of the shows. The first official NT single was recorded in June of 1978 with this lineup. It was recorded in 2 days and mixed in 1 at an 8 track studio South of Market supposedly built by Todd Rundgren. It was originally released on the Heavy Manners label in the fall of 78 in a pressing of 1000.It is currently available from 2-13-61 who re-released it in April 2006 on CD. It is also available on iTunes internationally.
The band once again broke up with the departures of Mikal and Steve. Rik L Rik and Tim Mooney were asked to join. A recording was made in LA just after this version of NT had formed. 5 songs recorded in 6 hours and it sounds like it. Craig was never happy with these recordings even though they were released, once on the compilation Tooth and Nail under the NT name and once on the Beach Blvd Comp as Rik L Rik as well as being in a bad 80's movie called "Nightmares" with Emilio Estevez. Will was not happy with the direction NT was taking so he quit in the summer of 79. A gig in Austin was booked so 16 yr old bass player and skater Jonathan Henrikson was asked to join .Once back in SF NT played their final show at 330 Grove St instrumentally as Rik had decided to stay in LA, thus creating the Toiling Midgets. All this in 2 years.
Negative Trend at Annie's Social Club Feb 28th 2009 photos by Cana' Screws Scott
