Bags

The Bags (also known as The Bags or Alice Bag Band) were among the earliest punk bands to emerge from Los Angeles. Formed in 1977, they became a cornerstone of the city’s first wave of punk, notable for high-energy live shows and a fearless stage presence. With Alice Bag (Alicia Armendariz) on vocals and Patricia Morrison (Pat Bag) on bass, the band cultivated a style that mixed irreverent antics with raw, fast-paced music.

Formation and Early Gigs (1977–1978)

Alice Bag and Patricia Morrison, who initially met while waiting in line to see Elton John on Cher’s TV show, forged a quick friendship that led to the creation of an early version of The Bags, then known as Femme Fatale. Kim Fowley soon showed interest, inviting the members to audition for his proposed band Venus and the Razorblades. Eventually, the group evolved into The Bags, so named because they initially performed with paper grocery bags over their heads. However, that gimmick ended when Darby Crash of the Germs tore off Alice’s bag mid-set. This final lineup featured Alice Bag on vocals, Pat Bag on bass, Craig Lee and Rob Ritter on guitars, and Terry Graham on drums.

Recordings and Performances

The Bags made their live debut at The Masque on September 10, 1977, amidst the flourishing LA punk scene. Often accompanied by onstage chaos, including altercations at venues like The Troubadour, their shows attracted attention in the city’s underground. In 1978, they released their only official record: a single titled “Survive,” backed with “Babylonian Gorgon,” on Dangerhouse Records. Additionally, their track “We Don’t Need The English” appeared on the Yes L.A. compilation album, also released by Dangerhouse.

Shifting Lineups and The Decline of Western Civilization

After releasing the “Survive” single, Pat Bag left, and Rob Ritter moved from guitar to bass. Although The Bags were filmed for Penelope Spheeris’s documentary The Decline of Western Civilization, they were credited as the “Alice Bag Band” by its 1981 release to avoid conflicts with Morrison. By then, The Bags had broken up. Members went on to join or form numerous influential acts, including the Gun Club, The Sisters of Mercy, The Damned, and 45 Grave.

Post Breakup and Legacy

Guitarist Craig Lee contributed to Catholic Discipline, wrote for zines like Flipside, and co-authored the book Hardcore California: A History Of Punk and New Wave before his passing in 1991. Drummer Terry Graham joined The Gun Club; Patricia Morrison joined The Sisters of Mercy and The Damned; Rob Ritter, renaming himself Rob Graves, helped form the death rock band 45 Grave. Alice Bag later played in Castration Squad, performed in Cholita! with Vaginal Davis, and fronted other musical projects. Despite never releasing a full album in their prime, the Bags’ recordings and impact have been memorialized through reissues on Artifix Records.

Discography

• “Survive” / “Babylonian Gorgon” (1978, Dangerhouse Records)
• All Bagged Up… The Collected Works 1977-1980 (2007, Artifix Records) – Compilation of studio and live material
• “We Don’t Need the English” – Appeared on Yes L.A. compilation (1979, Dangerhouse Records)
• “Gluttony” – Featured on The Decline of Western Civilization soundtrack (1980, Slash Records)