Don Wrege :: Zero for Conduct :: 1984

Zero for Conduct

Often referred to as "The Divorce Band," the concept was to put a group together that could play gigs in Los Angeles nightclubs so I could find a girlfriend. It was also a showcase machine for the songs I was spitting out on a weekly basis as I did my "Woe is me," trip during 1984. It was a painful, but productive period. The band played my compositions, but that meant I had to let Dave and Mike name it.

David Heidenreich - drums & hair, David Jacks - bass & vocals,
Me, Michael Badertscher - lead guitar & vocals

LITTLE LOVE LEFT
(Wrege)
Studio: Various
Right after the divorce I was writing songs all the time to try to stay sane. This one was chosen to be the band's "business card" as we tried to get club gigs around Los Angeles.

WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR
(Wrege)
Studio: Various
The 'B' side of the "business card" single. It was written about my lesbian hair dresser (I had a blow-dry cut at the time) with whom I was in love.

BOO HOO
(Wrege)
Studio: Lucky Dog, Venice, CA
I wrote this about Linda after my visit back to Louisville to work on The Derby Museum. She seemed stuck in the past. This was one of the tunes that made up "The Howard Johnson Suite," another album-length project. Most nights after working at Donna Lawrence's place, Chris and I would write tunes in my hotel room.

SAVE MYSELF
(Wrege)
Studio: Lucky Dog, Venice, CA
Part of the post-divorce flood of songs. Written about the ex.

WAITED TOO LONG
(Wrege)
Studio: Lucky Dog, Venice, CA
I wrote this one about about Linda Brooks. She was a fellow multi-media camera operator in LA and one of the most beautiful and fun women I'd ever met. She fell right into my lap and I fumbled it Horribly.

IN LOVE
(Wrege)
Studio: Sherman Oaks House
Another tortured tune about Linda Brooks. This was right around the time I knew I'd blown it really bad with her. (After thirteen and a half years I had forgotten how to date.) Linda would later move in with a lesbian multi-media lady who was a competitor of mine. A double whammy.

LAS VEGAS
(Wrege - Lee)
Studio: Lucky Dog, Venice, CA
One of the songs from The Howard Johnson Suite. I had the guitar stuff figured out, started bitching at Chris about how much I dislike Las Vegas and ten minutes later he handed me the lyrics.

DESTINY
(Wrege - Lee)
Live: The Central, Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
The guys liked "Get Serious" from the early days, but they didn't like the lyrics so I put these on it, which are largely meaningless. (I was convinced at the time lyrics didn't really matter because no one listened to them. I've changed my mind since then.)

DANGEROUS MAN
(Wrege - Lee)
Studio: Lucky Dog, Venice, CA
A rockin' combo re-working of OddS' big hit. It has a better feel than the original plus I was able to put the lead fills in that I was too terrified to do in 1980.

PEOPLE CHANGE
(Wrege)
Live: The Central, Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Written about the ex. The tune and harmonies came from being inspired by an old cowboy record Dad had with "Tumblin' Tumbleweed" on it. I always liked cowboy singing.

ADVANCED CHEMISTRY
(Wrege - Lee)
Studio: Lucky Dog, Venice, CA
This was written in the late 70s with Chris and became part of our stage show.

I'LL NEVER GIVE UP
(Wrege)
Rehearsal - Eyesongs - Santa Monica, CA
A rare positive statement written in the post-divorce flood of feelings. Me and the band having a good time with it.

NEW AVENUE
(Wrege)
Rehearsal - Eyesongs - Santa Monica, CA
Written for Anita Boing, on the way to her house in Pasadena I'd pass the New Avenue exit. I just really liked that name, the concept and the visual possibilities. This is just a sketch of of the song, but it's about all I have and I'd like to finish it someday.

HOW MUCH LONGER
(Wrege)
Live: The Central, Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
I was pretty much at the end of my rope when I wrote this one during the post-divorce flurry. It's an anti-LA song. It was always one of my favorites to perform.