April 30, 1981 – “U2 & Missing Persons” by Billy Zee

Pleasant surprise. A four song single release by Missing Persons was left here to review. Of course, we get quite a few things to review, but this one I found intriguing. The design of the package is exceptional, particularly considering some of the sleeves I've seen lately.

But one would not expect a sloppy look from a group with as much going for it as Missing Persons. Members of the group, drummer Terry Bozzio, singer Dale Bozzio and bassist Warren Cucurullo) all have extensive experience with Frank Zappa, and keyboardist Chuck Wild worked on the film Americathon... so did I!

The long playing single (EP) was produced by Ken Scott, chances are you have one or two of his works in your collection. He's had a wide and varied career including work with The Tubes and David Bowie ("Suffragette City"!).

This four song EP is superb musically- electronic power pop with an edge. "I Like Boys" is the cut getting so much attention on KROQ, but my favorite is "Destination Unknown".

It has the feel of a fifties science-fiction movie on quaaludes- a bizarre journey led brilliantly by lead singer Dale Bozzio, and richly backed up by the superlative band and pristine production.

Also on the disc is a cover of the Doors' "Hello I Love You" that I can really do without. Missing Persons' original material is far superior to this curious tune.

There's "Mental Hopscotch" a fast paced foray that picks you up and takes you absolutely nowhere, but you're loving every moment of it. That's what pop music is all about and this is one of the best discs by a local group, maybe the best by any group in a long, long time.

Missing Persons is available at many local record stores, or from Komos Records, PO Box 2788, Hollywood, Ca 90028. Don't ask me what it costs, money profanes me.

May 28, 1981 – MP at the Topanga Corral

Missing Persons played the Topanga Corral on a Tuesday night a few weeks back, and the show was a surprising one.
First of all, if you've never been to the Topanga Corral, pack your knapsack and sleeping bags and prepare for a hike. This place is way up in the hills, sitting alone on a stretch of road that one would not expect to find a rock and roll club on.

The Topanga Corral is not a bad place, it started out as a good old boy club, but over the last two years they have been booking some of the best new local bands.

The Toasters, The Twisters, The Heaters, and every other skinny-tie band who's name ends in 'er' have been booked here. Unfortunately, the club only serves beer and wine, and Eye feel lost without a glass of cheap whiskey in my hands.

Missing Persons was preceded by a band who's name escapes me right now, and that's too bad because I haven't written a scathing review in quite a while. The lead singer told the audience that they would be playing around town. I can only hope that town is Pittsburgh.

Picture if you will a rustic club with sawdust on the floor, the repugnant odor of stale beer fills the air with a crowd of twenty or so that shows their appreciation for the opening band by breaking beer bottles on the floor, talking among themselves and playing pinball. (I played a great game of Pac-Man myself).

When Missing Persons took the stage, a decidedly different feeling took hold, the band was so tight and exciting that we all instantly knew this was no 'garage' band. Perhaps you're familiar with the group, their newly released single - available at many record stores (Rhino, Primecuts, Moby Disc and others) and starting to get mucho airplay on KROQ and KXLU- is out on Komos records and was reviewed here two issues ago. The long playing 7" record is excellent and comes highly recommended, but I wondered how the group would come across live since a great deal of Missing Persons' sound is dependent on synthesizers and studio work.

I'm pleased to report that the transition from studio to live performance in this case is a smooth and very pleasant experience, in fact I like Missing Persons better live.

Dale Bozzio, the lead singer, is a fantastic performer, exuding a kind of coy innocence that stands in marked contrast to her sexy look, a Cleopatra in plexiglass if you will. She sings as good as she looks and moves with energy and unpretentious spontaneity.

Drummer Terry Bozzio is nothing short of incredible. At least half of the sound of Missing Persons seems to hinge on his finely timed, electric, intricately ferocious movement. He never seems to stop moving and he drives each song with a velocity that I have seen nowhere else. Fantastic!

Guitarist Warren Cuccurullo follows, leads and weaves around the group with amazing preciseness and Chuck Wild on synthesizers has the difficult task of balancing the vocals, guitar and drums into a complete sound and at the same time create unique moods and nuances of his own.

He succeeds remarkably, especially considering this is only their fifth gig together and he has to duplicate a 'studio sound' under less than ideal circumstances.

My only criticism of the show is that it stayed too fast, too energetic for too long. Some pacing is needed to offset this. I also seemed to notice that the band's material tends to deal a lot with frustration and/or desperation. (Typesetter's note: similar feelings result when typing this column!).

A lonely woman, confused- she has nowhere to go, she has nothing to do, this poor woman doesn't even know the time of day! She's lost in a world that has left her behind - a world that has her stymied.

This could be the opening of a Twilight Zone episode and the song "Destination Unknown" has that feeling - the sound of two worlds colliding. We, the infants of the 1950's have grown into a world like the one those 'mad scientists'and doomsayers predicted in those old Twilight Zone episodes. The robots have taken over, technology is out of control. The woman in the song will do the best she can with what she's got, and so will we all.
It was a refreshingly vibrant show. I suggest you see Missing Persons before they move into the big halls, as I'm sure they will do soon. I hear they played a strong show when they opened for (K-)rock-poet Tonio K at the new Perkin's Palace in Pasadena last Friday. I was surprised at how hard this group rocks, creates fantastic images, and just generally explodes all over the room.

June 25, 1981 –MP in Westwood

Missing Persons is a band not to be missed. They have been rehearsing together for three quarters of a year before surfacing. Now Ken Scott is producing their music and it's already getting airplay on such prime stations as KFRC in San Francisco and KNEW in New York. They are high potential hitmakers.

Where do these mysteriosos come from? And who are they??

The lead singer Dale Bozzio, originally from Boston, has previously worked on some infamous Zappa pieces. From the 'Mary from Canoga Park" bit in 'Wet T-shirt Contest' to 'I Don't Wanna Get Drafted'. Terry Bozzio (yes, they're married) has San Franciscan roots- he is molecules in motion on the drum set and worked with Zappa 'Live at the Hammersmith Odeon', 'Baby Snakes' and the acclaimed 'Joe's Garage'.

Warren Cuccurullo- another Zappa sideman, great guitarist that he is, hails from Brooklyn. . . and played in the New York production of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'.

Chuck Wild, the final member to join the group (Dale called him on his birthday and Chuck, thinking that there must be some good luck in this, went out to meet & play with them. . . and ended up being treated to a marvelous birthday dinner by his new co-horts) puts his energy into that OBX synth, and out pops the magic genie of Missing Persons.

This was an occasion! Dillon's was having Missing Persons play the club's (re)opening night, the first Friday in June, 1981. It is the eve of a new era for the club's existence. They are no longer a disco- heretofore Dillon's will be presenting new live rock!

So the band, rumored to be signing with IRS records, did a harried soundcheck less than an hour before the show. Dillon's stage is so small that the squeezing of equipment and room for four musicians was a bitch: also the electrical connections were not all compatible, so the synth somehow was miked into the amp. All the necessary adaptations completed, they were soon rarin' to go.

Dale Bozzio, singing at center microphone, is skinny as can be, dressed in a petit ballet style suit. DNA structure around the vocal cords in necklace form, chromed in black. Her hair is white blond fluff, with a yards long thin braid falling down her back, swinging as she moves. She's tuff, and sings well, always on the beat, accurate on those 16th notes. But she seems to act out a contrived innocence, a night punk.

Terry Bozzio: The overall sound is tight and together; ever so on "Words" as Dale sings "What are words for? Nobody listens anymore." Where in the hell did they get that drummer? He's great- no snow job here. Once glancing at Terry Bozzio, only a concerted effort can draw your gaze away. Percussively, Terri is just right; he has a feel for the material and resultingly comes across magnetizing, exuding an astonishing androgynous sexuality. watching him play is exciting- perhaps Terry is a missing person, anonymously projecting an essence to each song, he puts his all into bringing their message to the audience.

Warren Cuccurullo: Warren Cuccurullo is provocative, with a dramatic accent of deep dark mascara and dressed all in black leather on this opening night. Warren is a hot flash on his modified Vox axe- he moves and grooves in an intensely New York way, a style not to be snuffed at. He espouses that kind of heat... more than his looks are hot- it's his guitar-playing, that sharp, never overstated guitar action.

Chuck Wild: The angle at which the OBX was placed onstage made it rather hard to get a good view of Chuck; he was more hidden from the audience at Dillon's. But you could tell he was there. The electronic backbone of the group was surely audible, taking an awesome place in the arrangements, doing moods, bass, melodies, leads and more. Mutron effects by a keyboardist is a rare sight these days. Not so with Missing Persons. With an instrumentalist as versatile as the instrument, watchout, there's a lot in store! Chuck's basically a progressive player, though occasionally out came Gary Numan-ish sounds with non-synth licks.

Missing Persons - something new? Avante-garde gibberish, musical lyrics... walking contorted mannikin-esque gestures in final form? The arrangements are snazzy. On 'No Way Out', I get the feeling that Dale must have seen Manhattan scene-creator Elda Stilletto before and picked up on her attitudinal vocal attack- Dale sings accusingly sharp and hot a la Elda.

That's their high. Dale's valley, still Mary from Canoga Park, no wonder Frank Zappa regurgitated them out into the street to form their own garage band. They have a good fighting chance in this LA swamp. And this one's got Ken Scott. Remember David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' and The Beatle's 'White Album'...? They are but a few of Ken Scott's vinyl accomplishments.

July 23, 1981 –Stiff Little Fingers with MP

Opening for the Fingers were Missing Persons, although I'm sure they would rather forget it. This up and coming band, fast becoming my favorite group to see, should never have been booked to open for a hardcore punk band.

Missing Person's lead singer Dale Bozzio was very upset after the show, the rowdy crowd had thrown pennies at her, spit on her and applause was sporadic, but the fact that they were able to sustain this wild and difficult audience at all said quite a bit. I think the band even picked up a few new fans here. Backstage Dale and I talked about the crowd and she seemed strangely innocent as she wished Stiff Little Fingers, "Good luck, it's your audience."

The two bands, despite having different audiences, got along great backstage. Terry Bozzio is a musician's musician, and producer Ken Scott is one of the most respected creators in the business, and the Fingers were anxious to meet them. Ken Scott can frequently be seen handling the live mixing board for Missing Persons and he also acts as the band's manager.

He told me that they will pay more attention to who the band opens for from now on. Not a bad idea, when I met Missing Persons backstage at the Country Club not long ago, they were opening for the Suburban Lawns, and the pot smoke from the Lawn's dressing room backstage was so heavy that Terry began to get paranoid that it would throw off his performance. He was too much of a gentleman to say anything about it, tho.

Now that the single "Mental Hopscotch" is starting to get airplay over KROQ, I doubt if Missing Persons will be opening for too many

more bands anyway. No longer are the people coming to their shows just a few Valley dudes, there solely to see Terry Bozzio and Warren Cucurrullo because of their work with Zappa.

I noticed after those early gigs that Terri and Warren were both really giving of their time, and spoke at length to those loyal fans who turned out for their shows. Missing Persons has their own identity now and the audience for their music is growing. They should be headlining soon.

Aug. 22, 1981 – MP at Knott’s Berry Farm

"The band originally started because Warren and Dale and I hung out together a lot. This was when I was with U.K. and they were with Zappa. People said we looked like a band." -- Terry Bozzio on Missing Persons

Just back from a triumphant shows in Boston and at the Ritz in New York, Missing Persons played Knott's Berry Farm's end of summer vacation blast.

While Missing Persons was relegated to the secondary, outdoor stage, Great Buildings was performing their show in the large theatrical arena. But people were leaving the 'Buildings' show as quickly as they filed in, only a loyal few cared about the dying throws of this local new wave dinosaur.

The crowd that assembled for Missing Persons' first set, however, was much larger than the management of the park had expected.

The crowd was wild for Missing Persons to begin, booing off KLOS's DJ host Joe Reilly, (KLOS doesn't play Missing Persons), and chanting for the start of the show.

Lead singer Dale Bozzio was lackluster when the band started the first number, 'Mental Hopscotch', but by the second number the band really kicked in and the crowd was cheering and dancing frantically.

A lot of punks were in attendance here, and this is the first time I've seen slam dancing at a Person's show. The audience was a seething, bouncing, gyrating pit of teenagers, all of them due back in school the next day.

But the slam dancing made the park management nervous, (they had already vetoed Dale's original outfit as too sexy), and crowds to the second show in the evening were even bigger than the late afternoon crowd. Security was now a problem from the park's standpoint.

This led the park management to tell the group to stop the show half way into the set.

Dale asked, from the stage, for permission to do just one more number, a slow song, just to calm everyone down. The park officials agreed and she then launched into 'Action Reaction', the band's fastest number and the crowd went nuts.

The next time I saw the band, they were riding the roller coaster and Dale was eating cotton candy and signing autographs, so I guess the park survived.

May 21, 1982 – Interview with Terry Bozzio

"I have faith in them. I firmly believe that this is the band that's going to do it." - producer Ken Scott on Missing Persons

Missing Persons seems poised for the success they have worked so hard for over the last couple of years.

It was only last year when I was backstage at the Country Club as the band was being paid for opening for The Suburban Lawns show. $120 was their total take. Missing Persons took the hard road up through the LA clubs, pressed their own record (the best selling E.P. ever) and now the record and the band are a hit.

Drummer Terry Bozzio, wife and lead singer Dale Bozzio, guitarist Warren Cuccurullo and synth-master Chuck Wild, aka Missing Persons, have a fresh new deal with Capitol Records and a single ("Words") moving rapidly up the national charts.

Terry, Dale and Warren are well-known for their cutting work with Frank Zappa, early audiences were made up mostly of Zappa-ites. Moon Zappa, a friend of producer Ken Scott's daughter, can sometimes be seen at their gigs.

Missing Persons and producer Ken Scott are right now ensconced in the Le Chateau Studios in North Hollywood recording their first L.P. entitled 'Spring Session M', (an anagram of the words 'Missing Persons').

Terry Bozzio took time from his busy recording schedule to talk to me about how the band got to where they are now. As we walked by the studio's pool on a sunny LA spring afternoon, I told him what a pleasure it had been to see the band in the small clubs, to see professionals of his caliber up close.

"I never considered us a local band" Terry answered, "It was very frightening at first to play the clubs because I was so unsure what the reaction would be. We realized how easy we had it being with established bands."

The road wasn't easy for Missing Persons. At the end of last year the band still hadn't signed a record deal, two years after forming and a year after releasing the hot selling EP. Meanwhile, LA based bands like the Go-Gos soared up the charts.

Indeed, it must have been hard to turn down some of the small-time record company offers coming in while Missing Persons struggled in the local clubs.

"We want to be successful, but I stand behind every note we play. We are just as convicted as any 'Art-rock' band." Terry turned down jobs with The Becker Brothers and Jethro Tull to stick with the plan, guitar master Warren Cuccurullo almost left to go back to working with Frank Zappa.

It was, in fact, Warren who coined the name Missing Persons - a reference to the fact that they were all 'missing' from other bands.

As the band became more and more popular, the audience changed. It grew larger of course, but in the beginning the crowd was mostly made up of fans of Terry and Warren. Now the audience is there to see Dale and the entire band, thanks to extensive airplay on KROQ. I asked Terry about the new audience he's found with Missing Persons.

"We wanted to do something modern, but we really didn't aim at the KROQ audience. We were surprised by that."

Happily surprised, no doubt. The single 'Mental Hopscotch' was the number one requested song on KROQ last year, which helped the band quickly sell all 6,000 copies of their self-released EP. Capitol Records has re-released the EP, adding the 'Words" track that is right now climbing the charts.

Terry told me, "It's not that we are trying to be commercial, but we do try to write songs that people can relate to. I don't care to be downbeat, doom and destruction makes good copy but it's not the type of music we do."

I asked Ken Scott, who was eating an enormous slice of Pizza, if he had anything to add. "Well, I should say it's time we got some positive press."