52nd City

Anti-Mation at the Hi-Pointe

For music fans, the best part of this time of year is the run of reunion shows, back-to-town shows and annual shows. There've been a few already and a couple more are coming, including Anti-Mation at the Hi-Pointe on Friday, the 23rd. I missed the band the first time around - too young, too dumb - but definitely plan on catching the veteran version.

The inimitable Mort Hill passed along a note, assumedly penned by member Tony Cornejo. Tried to contact Tony for the thumbs-up on a reprint of his show reminder, but even without that, the time's growing short and what band doesn't want to get the word out?

25 years ago I was in a band called Anti-mation. We existed in a world where gigs were played at V.F.W. Halls that underground bands rented because the "Man" was not ready for our new groovy sounds. The band started out with me and grade school chum Bob Morrison. In need of a drummer we put an ad that was answered by one of St. Louis' truly crazy musical characters Mike Doskocil.

I had just left the Camaros finding the prima Donna antics of the singer Mark Condelliare who can be still be seen today performing and preening with the Murder City Players ;) clashing with my own delusions of grandeur. Bob was a true South Side rock fan who was just as happy listening to Boston as he was the Sex Pistols. Mike was the wild suburban youth component, who hailed from Crestwood, that we needed to put us in touch with cul-de-sac angst.

The sound was an amalgamation of old school rock (Who, Rolling Stones, Beatles), early punk (Sex Pistols, Ramones, Clash) a dash of glam (Bowie, T.Rex, NY Dolls), the best we thought that rock had to offer. .

Early reviews from Globe-Democrat reporter, Kevin Martin, described us as sweaty and excitable. That my friends was an understatement. The shows were spirited and chaotic. Occasionally band members would need to stab each other to let out the bad mojo. Shows would often provoke riots with the hapless KSHE heads who would stumble upon our shows and be enraged at our air of self importance and our cultural superiority.

Bob eventually left to pursue his real passion of softball and we recruited the services of Mike Yaffee, from the famous Max Load, out of Bellville Illinois. At this time we also added the lush keyboard sounds by Jeff (Boy-Crazy) LeBeau. By now it was 1981 and the grit of punk was giving away to the indulgence of New Wave.

Knowing a thing or two about indulgence we followed suit.

When not getting our hair done in some new outrageous fashion ( by the late great Jeff Cournoyer). We'd be stealing milk crates for make shift furniture for Anti-mation central, my apartment in Soulard, that was the scene of the "Great Raid" where my girlfriend and I were arrested for peace disturbance because Joan Jet's Blackheart band kept turning up the stereo after repeated police warnings.

All bad things must come to and end. Doskocil was moving more towards the west coast hardcore punk that would be displayed in his next bands, White Pride, Drunks with Guns and Ultraman. Some of these bands bootlegs now go for top dollar on E-Bay. Mike Yaffee moved to LA working with a number of bands. Jeff moved to Houston to pursue hot men. I played in Reggae, Roots Rock (Riot Act, Soundtown) and on and on.

Times have changed. Mousse no longer does it's magic on my hair (he he), Hip Hop now rules the youth culture, and the religious right has forced decadence underground were it belongs. Because sin is a dish best served in the dark.

With that in mind.

Anti-mation 25th Anniversary Arrested Development Reunion. See how time and space leave three fools untouched by human maturity.

And Laura's Band Mothra's Mutha http://mothrasmutha.com/

If you see one show this Year this should be the one. Heck the years almost over anyway.

December 23rd, @ the Hi-Pointe Clayton and Skinker. 9PM.
Anti-mation records and other merch will be available for purchase. Bring Cash!!!!