The Orchids

An all girl pop/rock band verging slightly on New Wave, THE ORCHIDS were created and managed by KIM FOWLEY and featured bassist Laurie McAllister who had replaced Vicki Blue in THE RUNAWAYS for a short period before they fragmented.THE ORCHIDS were formed rather ironically from two Bomp Records Kim was producing at the time, Vampires From Outer Space and Hollywood Confidential. Blonde bombshell drummer Laurie Bell had recorded the track 'If You're Gonna Change Your Heart' for Vampires. The album also featured Laurie McAllister playing bass and singing lead in the group BABY ROULETTE AND THE RAVE ONS on a tune entitled 'Black Orchids'. Laurie McAllister was also featured as lead vocalist on a tune called "On Suburban Lawns" on Hollywood Confidential, that was billed as The Runaways. Laurie Bell had actually worked with Fowley previously on his Sunset Blvd album, appearing on the improvised title track.Joining forces with Laurie Bell and Laurie McAllister were vocalist / guitarist Jan King (from Stingray and The Wads) and guitarists Sunbie Harrel and Che Zuro, who Fowley recruited from Backstage Pass. THE ORCHIDS, as they became known, released an EP on Kim Fowley's Mystery Records and signed to MCA Records for self-titled album in 1980. One single was released entitled "When Does Love Turn Out Right?". A promotional video of "Blame It All On The Night" aired one time on the pre-MTV video program called "Hollywood Heartbeat" in the summer of 1980. The final Orchids gig was in December of 1980 in the San Fernando Valley.Shortly after the Orchids break-up Laurie Bell formed the short-lived all girl metal band Tantrum. Jan and Che recorded a demo under the name Valentine and soon after Che Zuro flew off to the UK to replace singer Wendy Wu in The Photos. When the label passed on the demos that were recorded, Che returned to Los Angeles. Laurie Bell and Che Zuro both appeared in the 1984 film "Get Crazy" and shortly thereafter formed "Puss n Boots" with singer Jan King. Both Jan and Che have continued music careers, Che in the Los Angeles area and Jan in Chicago.