Assonet, Massachusetts in the late 1970's was hotbed of intellectual and artistic activity. It's cafes and coffehouses were the epicenter of what would come to known as "The American Punk Movement". School children would often just break into song- the kids in town were weened on The Stooges, Velvet Underground, and Big Star. For in the late 1970's it was Assonet, not London, not NYC that spearheaded the punk movement. YEAH RIGHT Truth be told there is no less likely place for a punk rock band to begin than in the tiny, backwards town of Assonet, Massachusetts. There were your basic burnouts, greasers, and a whole colony of albinos who were related to Red Sox 2nd baseman Jerry Remy. But some how we (Peter, Frank, and myself) escaped... A steady diet of metal, punk rock and Colt 45 malt liquor fueled us in our search for a way out of Assonet. I remember one Easter night riding around in Peter's car listening to The Flaming Groovies, Gruppo Sportivo, Buzzcocks, Generation X, and The Pistols, and coming to terms with the fact that there were certain things in life that should be accomplished... run a marathon, form a band, and play at The Rat. WBCN broadcast their 'Rock and Roll Rumble" finals between The Neighborhoods and Lapeste--The next morning Peter was at my door with The Phoenix---''Let's go !!! We've gotta start our band --NOW! So we did, and this is our little story: It was so strange playing in front of crowds that actually liked us. Early on we basically tried to irritate our audiences in New Bedford and Taunton, we were quite successful at this. Some how we scored opening slots on bills with Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Johnny Thunders, and the Dead Boys during our first real summer of shows- this gave us tons of exposure. We were basically too naive/new/untested to even get nervous, we just always seemed to play better with a large crowd- ROCK STARS! Once we started playing Boston and Providence/Pawtucket we met lots of people who were, for some unknown reason, willing to do things for us, buy us things, help in a thousand ways. There was a lady named Ina, who saw us at Cantone's and just gave us $400 to record; Rick and Zippy who were our roadies/soundmen and friends early on; Patrick and Jim M. and Doug C. and Sheehan who came to our shows and practices. These people were all so nice, but no one was helped us more than Lou Giordano. Lou , Jimmy Dufour, and Mick Miller helped us in the studio, at shows, and of course they were vital members of the Prole Chorus--providing background vocals on the Soma Holiday LP. To see a more complete and detailed list of people who really helped us out see Franks bio page--far more through than this list.

MY FAVORITE SHOWS OF ALL-TIME:

1) Mission of Burma's final show in Boston (til now anyways)-It was at the Bradford Ballroom, about 5000 people showed up. We went on just before Burma and played as well as we ever did. We got an encore and were on top of the world-around an hour an a half later MOB played their last song ever- it was so sad.

2)Boston Rock Magazine show at the Channel: We had just swept the Boston Rock readers poll and we headlined this show with The Neats and SSD. We completely blew SSD off the stage- it was like a showdown. They played a solid set and acted like the total rock stars they thought they were-but it wasn't enough. We exploded out of the gate. Peter was going completely mental and that got me and Frank going. Two, that's right two encores!! Dominant.

3) Storyville show with 007 and Sorry: This show was plugged by the Boston Globe, they had never cared about us till this show. All-ages, Sunday afternoon show--Storyville was in the same building as Radiobeat studios (where we recorded). Peter and I went outside the studio door for some fresh air and were stunned to see a line of people almost around the building waiting to get in. The show was set to start at 2:00, but people were waiting outside at 12:30. We played a tight set, the sound was perfect (thanks Lou) 007 and Sorry both ruled --a great day indeed.

4)Living Room , Providence, RI--First all-ages show in Providence EVER!! The concept had never been discussed before I asked Randy Hein (the owner) if we could try it. It worked , a packed house, a first show for 3 RI bands, and just a great show.

5)Spit--WBCN Rock and Roll Rumble: Underdogs? No one expected us to win this round and advance, but... The mix of a drunken, rowdy crowd, a late hour, and a band that had nothing to lose, propelled us. Looser than we'd ever been (I was barefoot) we just plain ripped--drinking champagne and hanging with Carter Alan left us hung over and needing a bath.