This Los Angeles, California, USA-based punk band was formed in April 1977. The original members were Darby Crash (b. Jan Paul Beahm, 26 September 1958, USA, d. 7 December 1980, USA; vocals), Pat Smear (b. Georg Ruthenberg, 5 August 1959, Los Angeles, California, USA; guitar), Lorna Doom (bass) and Belinda Carlisle (b. Belinda Kerzcheski, 17 August 1958, Hollywood, California, USA; drums), later of the Go-Go's. Carlisle soon left and was replaced by a succession of percussionists, including future X drummer D.J. Bonebrake and Don Bolles of 45 Grave. The band's first single, "Forming", was issued on What? Records in 1977 and is considered by some to be the first example of the post-punk "hardcore" genre, later popularized by bands such as Black Flag and the Dead Kennedys. Their next single was issued on Slash Records, which in 1979 released the band's only proper album, GI. The Germs disbanded in early 1980 but re-formed later that year. A week after their first reunion concert, however, singer Crash died of a heroin overdose. Smear later worked with Nirvana and the Foo Fighters.
The catalyst to a thousand US punk bands, though few modelled themselves on Crash's legendary self-destructive nature, the Germs were fated only ever to offer a musical flashpoint rather than a career blueprint. A tribute album was issued in 1996 featuring White Zombie, Courtney Love, the Melvins, Mudhoney and others. In September 2005, the surviving members of the Germs announced they would be playing a number of live dates with actor Shane West assuming the lead singer role.
