A Punk Pioneer Remembers How It Started by Mark Martinez

Mark Martinez was my best friend in punk. The wildest, craziest, most creative person I'd ever met, and I already had a BA in Art and Master of Fine Arts Degree in Design, so I knew artists. What he knows can't be taught. He knows the lyrics of every song and is an amazing graphic artist involved in many local social issues.

He not only knows our secrets, he remembers them! He's the one who kept reminding me Iggy fucked me, so I finally began mentioning it to people. I begged him to share his stories for years (cos so many happened at the same time/place I was busy taking photos). Then I posted my pix, sent him my published Letter to LA Weekly Editor in response to nasty things they wrote about the Johnny Ramone unveiling. To my surprised delight, received this wonderful email, talking about that infamous night when Capt Sensible played his bass in the nude and people I've previously posted in my gallery:

February 7, 2005:

After contacting Pleasant (which btw I still have to call her back... but when I called she was on her way to pick up her honey and did not have any in weeks... so I told her I'd call her back not wanting to waste her sex time with my gossip). Any-how's, after hanging up, my mind went through this wild ride of remembering all the crazy times I had with her Majesty "Pleasant" and how I first met her. I used to hang out at the Sugar Shack, a under-21 glitter club in North Hollywood. It was there that I was introduced to the crazy world of Joan Jett and the Runaways. I remember going EVERY Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays just to be around others like myself... a mixed up kid in a rock n roll world. Having gone to the "Real Don Steele" show and "American Bandstand," my simple life in Glendale was never the same. I craved more...more... MORE! I needed to be around others like myself who tempted life... experienced life.... abused it.. and enjoyed every minute of it!

My friend Marc C used to hang at the Shack. It was there that I decided to venture into my sexual side and make him want me. He was this extremely handsome jewish boy from Beverly Hills that had the attitude of Bette Davis and the heart of the devil! Because I was a poor Mexican/American his family was not fond of me. He lived in a big house in BH and would seek me in at night and take me to school with him in the morning... that is how I met Plez!

Plez had a group of friends she hung out with, Randy, Lisa, Nancy... all whom interested me as they too were crazy. They told me that the Damned was playing at the Starwood and that I should go check them out. This was my first experience of London punk. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Captain Sensible taking off his pants and playing his guitar as I was watching right against the stage... all I could do was think he was going to pee on me! This was nothing like seeing the Runaways or Quick! They never took their pants off... well except Cherie who ran around in her underwear (but that was not big thing as we saw her every week at the Shack).

That one night was a night that would last forever. Darby (Bobby Pyn back then) Lorna, Belinda, Trudi... I think anyone who was anyone in one crazy nite had come into my life and changed it forever. I didn't know all the cast of this new adventure, but they soon became familiar faces... friends, crazies.. great people. I remember seeing this girl with a big afro like (well at least it seemed to me) taking pics. Later she became a lifetime friend and influence to many of the things I create -- Jenny Lens... or as I so often like to refer to her as "Lenny Lens," our in-joke cos a Japanese magazine credited her amazing Rolling Stones shots from Lenny Lens.

OK, you got the cast? There's more as I can remember... with lots of stories. I will try and e-mail my thoughts as to keep a journal of them. But enough for now... will continue.

Love, Markie Mark