Toothpaste



Toothpaste is an early 80s Chicago punk band that formed out of former members of Naked Raygun and The Wayouts. They released a 12" in 1983 and played around town until about 1985, with a number of lineup changes. Their record received favorable reviews and was recommended by Steve Albini, among others. Al Szopinski left the band for two years while former Naked Raygun members Camilo Gonzalez & Jim Colao took up the slack. Toothpaste took a more pop punk approach to the music while Naked Raygun, Strike Under & the Effigies pushed the hardcore sound. Former Naked Raygun & Big Black member Santiago Durango wrote "Oh Yeah Come On" & former Naked Raygun guitarist John Haggerty played sax on the studio recording of "Oh Yeah Come On". Toothpaste did alot of studio recording & plan to release a compilation CD with Silver Abuse & the Way-outs! in celebration of an upcoming reunion show on December 29, 2007 at Lucky Gator Loft with fellow early Chicago punk bands Silver Abuse & the Way-Outs!.

Members

 * John Lundin (ultra) - Guitar, Keyboards,
 * Bob Damrau (aqua) - Drums, Guitar, Vocals
 * Al Szopinski (pepso) - Guitar, Vocals
 * Camilo Gonzalez - Bass, Vocals
 * Jim Colao - Vocals, Drums, Percussion
 * Paul Chabala - Sax
 * Lucy Geever-Conroy - Violin

Releases - click song to listen

 * Toothpaste EP (Schwa, 1983)
 * Recorded November, 1982 at Gerim
 * 1) Palestine -  (mp3)
 * 2) Houdini's Magic Secret - (mp3)
 * 3) Amerikan Beauties - (mp3)
 * 4) Sex Bolts - (mp3)
 * 5) Spy Guy - (mp3)
 * 6) Skinheads Are OK - (mp3)
 * 7) People Are Funny - (mp3)

Note - The song link has the file in the ripped wma format (slightly better quality) and the mp3 link is the wma converted to mp3.

Record Covers


Notable Shows

 * First show (1981) at communist art gallery across Damen Avenue from the Busy Bee diner. Opening act was a performance artist who beat a dead rat with a coffee can. (we were upstaged big time.)
 * West End, with Circle Jerks, c. 1982

Audio Disclaimer
The songs linked here have all rights reserved by Al, Bob and Jon. Bob has given permission to allow downloads and listening, "just don't sample anything for some rap crap" or use them in your own commercial product.