Germs

Anarchic and ill-fated, the Germs were at the heart of the late-'70s L.A. punk scene. Despite his reputation as the American Sid Vicious, doomed singer Darby Crash was actually a talented and socially aware songwriter. Most of the Germs' scant recorded legacy is now available on CD. Guitarist Pat Smear later went on to record with Nirvana and toured with the Foo Fighters.