THE VERY

I got recruited into this band by drummer Gigo Marquez, who was playing the role of Jerry Nolan (pink drums, and all) in my Johnny Thunders tribute Chinese Rocks.

The Very was a dark, post-punk/new wave quartet that needed a bassist, and i said yes even though i didn't own a bass (same situation with Flaggs, lol).

When I asked, "Why are you guys called The Very?", they explained that it's from dialogue in the movie Heathers, starring Christian Slater and Winona Ryder. Being one of my all-time favorite movies, this was all the convincing i needed to join.

We were the first band to get signed to a janky local label called Aural Gravy Records. As the label's guinea pigs, we had no idea at the time that it was a dud decision leading us to nowhere.

Through this label, we put out a CD called "The Discovery" and one video/single for the song "A-OK", but never toured to promote the album, nor accomplished anything else.

Lack of momentum led to Gigo leaving the band, and for a moment we carried on as a trio with a drum machine, renamed Marco Polo. This new project got a "meh" review in the San Diego CityBeat, and the whole thing quickly imploded.

Listening to the album again recently, I can't help thinking that it's actually a wonderful showcase of all our talents with great tunes, and should have gotten more play at the time.

Philip Inzunza - lead vocals, guitar

Lex Pratt - keyboard, backup vocals

Diana Death - bass, backup vocals

Gigo Marquez - drums