Magnolia Thunderpussy, a source of pride and inspiration for Westside LA’s mid-‘80s underground, was the first high school age band to earn a record contract with legendary indie label SST. Musically, MTP fuses myriad influences -- surf, garage, jazz, punk, funk, rock and country -- naturally, and without concern for genre boundaries. Magnolia’s set-lists feature equal doses of high-energy instrumental jams and songs whose lyrics depict a search for identity and the pain and longing that go along with it. While Magnolia originally disbanded in 1986 before making an album, the group has recently re-formed and is releasing “Starin’ Down the Sun,” a collection of their 1985 studio recordings and a full live performance. MTP is playing out again, so be sure to see the band in their element. As James Fenton of the Treacherous Jaywalkers says: “Magnolia [is] a live experience. Each gig [is] something unexpected, and something ineffably beautiful.”

  

see MTP
 LIVE!
at
Mr. T' Bowl
Highland Park
Saturday
October 23!
                 

Adam Pfahler [Jawbreaker/Whysall Lane]: “They were heavy like Black Flag. Pretty like the Meat Puppets. Playful like the Minutemen. But there was more in there. Every style under the sun had a place to sit in their songs and above this eclectic foundation were some of the smartest, most thoughtful and heartbreaking lyrics we heard. MTP defied categorization.”

  
Thurston Moore [Sonic Youth]: “Magnolia Thunderpussy slip it in your head in classic So Cal fallout fashion. They shoulda been massive.”      

Danny Weizmann, AKA Shredder [co-author of Hardcore California]: “Magnolia Thunderpussy needs to be listened to while driving 95 mph down Chataqua. When you get to the PCH, don’t go left or right – drive straight into the ocean!”

           
     
Dale, Pat, Dave , Chris

These four have combined to form Magnolia Thunderpussy, a teenage band with outstanding musical creativity and talent. Each member of the bend has been playing for at least 4 years, and their musical skills are excellent, Magnolia's set consists entirely of original compositions, although they could play covers upon request, their style ranges from rock to jazz, and even country, Their sound ranges from mellow, to melodic, to plain rockin'.

I first heard the band play at a party, and I didn't know what to expect, Having been raised listening to jazz, and having had heavy classical, rock and blues influences, I was pretty open minded, I was impressed with Magnolia because they played original compositions, their musical talents were superior, and their songs were high quality, I was also impressed because the average age of a member is 17.

I talked with the band, and all I can say is don't let the name fool you, Not only are they outstanding musicians, but they are very intelligent, as well as very interesting. Here is what they had to say:

Dale: "I think we draw on enough influences so that we don't fall into a musical rut, we are diverse in that respect, Lyrically, I try to relate personal and specific experiences that apply hopefully to anyone."

Pat: "Music is a good outlet for expression.. and in many ways is a world in itself through our music we hope to communicate with our audiences, let them know who we are and how we feel. I feel fortunate to be a part of Magnolia because there is a good rapport between us, we are like a family."
Dave: "Style is a product of your influences, and we have varied influences. We have elements of jazz, country, rock and roll, punk rock, all the things we listen to, For all of us music is more than just listening and playing, it is a lifestyle. With that much devotion to music, it comes through when we create, and we tend to synthesize all the things that we like, whether consciously or unconsciously.”

Chris: "What happens to me and what I always look for is when we are playing and I lose myself in the music: it becomes all feeling and no thinking, that's my definition for Magnolia Thunderpussy."

Dale Nixon, 17, lyricist and singer, Pat Palma, 18, drummer. David Jones, 17, bass. Chris Hundley, 17, guitar,

Look out for this band in the Pali area!

- Izzy Wright, Tideline, April 1985