Silver Abuse
Silver Abuse was one of the original punk bands in Chicago, forming in 1977. There were various versions of Silver Abuse, but the original version starred lifetime member Bill Meehan, along with Santiago Durango and Camillo Gonzalez, early members of Naked Raygun. Silver Abuse broke up for good in 1983. At some point the members of SA were in The Wayouts, then became Silver Abuse after The Wayouts last show on New Year's Eve, 1980. This is confusing because the Silver Abuse was around before they Wayouts - perhaps they were initially were Silver Abuse, broke up, became The Wayouts, then reformed as Silver Abuse.
Silver Abuse I
According to a Durango interview in Forced Exposure, the original Silver Abuse was a bunch of like-minded high school punk fans who couldn't play their instruments and liked to get drunk on wine and do drugs. They were a five piece and only made it through one song at their very first gig. Opening up at a loft party thrown by Tutu and the Pirates, they started off with the always popular Jews Must Die. That was enough for the crowd... they played one more gig before ending it after Durango left the band. This version of SA never recorded anything except some "cheesy cassettes"
It is also reported (and probably more accurate) that the first SA was at La Mere Vipere in Spring of 1978. I'm not sure if this was the same as the "loft party" gig or a separate show, but this one took place for sure. The result was the same - Jews Must Die was played and they were booed off the stage.
Original Lineup
- Billy Meehan - Vocals
- Santiago Durango - Guitar
- Dennis Soznick - Guitar
- Camillo Gonzalez - Bass
- Bob Damrau - Drums
Releases
- Busted at Oz Compilation - Autumn Records, 1981
- Fall From Grace 7" - Schwa Records, 1982
Later Members
- Jaqui Disler - Vocals
- Dave Purdie - Keyboards
- Donnie Krattne - Sax
- Kate Smith
Shows
- Spring 1978 at La Mere Vipere - first show, played one song
- February 23, 1981 at O'Banion's - with Naked Raygun
- October 24, 1981 at Cubby Bear - with Naked Raygun
- March 3, 1982 at Misfits - with Trial by Fire
- January 23, 1982 at Space Place
- April 27, 1983 at Smart Bar