The Pandoras
| The Pandoras | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chino, California, USA |
| Genres | Post-punk, rock, alternative rock, garage punk |
| Years active | 1983–1990 |
| Labels | Bomp!, Rhino, Elektra, Restless |
| Associated acts | Action Now, Mad Monster Party, The Muffs,The Leaving Trains, The Rebel Pebbles, The Screamin' Sirens, Wednesday Week The 21st Century Pandoras |
| Past members | Paula Pierce (1/83-8/91) Deborah Mendoza (1/83-12/83) Gwynne Kelly (1/83-6/84) Casey Gomez (1/83-6/84) Bambi Conway (12/83-6/84) Lisa Rae Black (Gwynnedoras only) Melanie Vammen (6/84-7/90) Julie Patchouli (6/84-5/85) Karen Blankfeld (6/84-8/87) Gayle Morency (5/85-7/85) Kim Shattuck (7/85-9/90) Kelly Dillard (8/87-11/87) Sheri Kaplan (11/87-10/90) Rita D'Albert (2/88-2/89) Billy Jo Hash (6/89-9/89) Lissa Beltri (11/89-10/90) Note: Shown in order of joining with dates. The Pandoras Current Members: Melanie Vammen Kim Shattuck Karen Blankfeld Hillary Burton |
The Pandoras were an all-female rock and roll band from Los Angeles, California from 1983 to 1990. The band initially found a following in the Hollywood Garage rock scene, and later adopted a contemporary look and hard rock sound. The band leader and singer/songwriter, Paula Pierce, died on August 10, 1991, of an aneurysm at the age of 31.
The Pandoras began in 1983 as part of the 1960s revival garage rock scene led by The Unclaimed, which was led by Pierce's boyfriend, Shelley Ganz. They were also associated with the Paisley Underground era in Hollywood's alternative rock scene that shared an aesthetic heavily influenced by 1960s garage rock and psychedelia. Most members came from the west side and beach cities area of Los Angeles County and Orange County. Pierce, a resident of Chino, California, had been a member of the Hollywood music scene and playing in bands since 1976.
The Pandoras were formed when singer/guitarist Pierce, a member of the mod/garage/pop Action Now, met singer/guitarist/bass player Deborah Mendoza (aka Mende/Menday), at Southern California's Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga in 1982. Mendoza, an art major, answered an ad that Pierce, a graphic arts major, had posted on the bulletin board in the cafeteria. The ad read, "Wanted, another female musician to jam with! Influenced by sixties garage punk." They began bringing their guitars to school and jamming between classes.
Pierce brought in a long-time friend, musician Gwynne Kelly (real name Gwynne Kahn) as a keyboardist, second guitarist and backing vocalist. Mendoza brought in drummer Casey Gomez. After a band meeting in January 1983, Kelly christened the band The Pandoras, though names such as The Keyholes, Hole, The wHolesome, and The Goodwylls were considered.
After recording their first EP in 1983, I'm Here I'm Gone on Moxie Records, Mendoza left the group. She was replaced by on bass by Bambi Conway. Conway appeared on The Pandoras' debut album, It's About Time, on Greg Shaw's Bomp! Records.
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