Rock Of Pages Twenty- Five Years
of Rockstyles
P
ublished in 2016, Under the Big Black Sun described the formative years of Los Angeles punk
from 1977 to 1982. The book made the definitive case for the LA punk scene’s crucial influ-
ence, distinct from the sounds exploding from London and New York. John Doe of X and vet-
eran A&R man Tom DeSavia contributed their voices and steered the ship, but the story overall was
told in the voices of those who were there at ground zero. Chapters from Mike Watt of the
Minutemen, Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, Henry Rollins of Black Flag, Teresa Covarrubias of the
Brat, X’s Exene Cervenka and more fill the book. Now, More Fun in the New World offers a deep dive
into what came afterward in the years from 1982 to 1987, when readers can see what happened to the
seeds planted in the earlier years. A legacy was built, and creativity flourished. But it wasn’t always
pretty, and the initial, enveloping sense of community gradually succumbed to the influx of violence
from disgruntled suburban-
ites.
A few writers return
from the previous book.
Wiedlin describes how the
Go-Go’s succumbed to
incredible commercial pres-
sures that accompanied the
band’s unexpected success,
with the band’s gang-of-five
camaraderie eroded by drug Lone Justice, 1985
abuse. The chapter is clever-
ly juxtaposed against lyrics to Wiedlin’s “Sliver of Glass” by her band Frosted. Doe writes about trav-
eling the country and witnessing the decline of heartland USA during the rise of Reaganomics in a
chapter similarly set against the lyrics of X’s equal-opportunity political critique “The New World.”
Dave Alvin recounts how the machinery that demanded blood from the Blasters failed to make
an international juggernaut of the brilliant band and the influences that ultimately moved him to
leave the group when it simply wasn’t fun anymore - even as he found his voice as a songwriter, and
even though he still expresses great pride in his brother, Phil Alvin, and his “Blaster brothers.”
New voices to the book include Maria McKee of Lone Justice, Mike Ness of Social Distortion,
and Peter Case, as well as Norwood Fisher and Angelo Moore of Fishbone. Jack Grisham of T.S.O.L.
relates a cautionary tale about the delayed price of modest fame. He spits the bitter monologue at the
reader’s face, recounting a cost that most will never have to pay and could never understand. A
chance encounter at a grocery store with a former T.S.O.L. fan becomes an over-the-top scene of ludi-
crous washout. “Never believe your own hype,” warns Doe at the beginning Chapter 26, entitled
“Ain’t Love Grand” after X’s ill-fated fifth album – with a side order of “never let go of the reins.”
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Doe describes the hubris that led to the initial unmaking of X and the overwork that resulted in the
dissolution of the first punk rock marriage between himself and Cervenka. The silver lining remains
in mutual respect evident between Doe and Cervenka, and the fact that the original X lineup has long
since returned to keep the music alive.
The book also explains how the influence of punk rock culture extended beyond the music scene.
Tim Robbins submits a chapter about the Actors’ Gang, and how it sprang directly from the example
of the DIY punk ethic. Shepard Fairey writes about how punk rock and its minimalist, paste-up show
fliers informed street art and infiltrated the mainstream. Tony Hawk talks about the rise of the skate
culture and its close kinship to punk rock. Pleasant Gehman of the Screaming Sirens joins the voices
of those who lament the dismantling of the early, inclusive punk scene due to growing aggression,
and describes the musical shift toward rockabilly with bands like Rank & File and Blood on the
Saddle.
Continued on page 41
Bruce Hausfeld and Ellyse Witz-Hausfeld
S
entimental or not, peeking into the past can not only be fun; it can be a
dose of healthy nostalgia. Take Ellyse Witz-Hausfeld and spouse Bruce
Hausfeld of cornerstone hair salon Rockstyles By Ellyse in northwest
suburban Wheeling – their shop is celebrating a silver anniversary. That's a
lot of time, and the duo has been tightly woven into the local rock music
scene for much longer. "We came in here June 1994, our Grand Opening was
September 1994," recalls Ellyse. "25 years at this location is just the tip of the
iceberg."
It was the '80s – big rock sound, big rock spectacle, and big rock 'n' roll
hair. Well before Rockstyles became a reality, Bruce was firmly entrenched in
the music industry, playing in top bands and holding positions in several
music retail services. Ellyse was also well established working her craft – cut-
ting hair out of her home for friends and family, then contracting stylist
booths at several hip, area salons while consistently networking within the
rock music scene and growing her client base. The business was steady, and
the Rockstyles brand began to percolate – until a building fire shockingly
ended Ellyse's successful tenure at Michael's Hair Affair. It was early 1994,
and everything – equipment, marketing materials, booking records, and
income, was lost. That's when Ellyse and Bruce decided to partner and move
forward. With support from a great group of people in the hard rock com-
munity, especially the Women's Music Network, a fund-raising benefit was
held mid-April at the now razed Thirsty Whale in River Grove which helped
jump-start the process – from ashes and ruin to entrepreneurs of their very
own salon. "It was a passion," says Ellyse. Bruce continues, "Both of us were
into music, and there were existing clients, so setting up shop was natural."
Look around inside Rockstyles today, and the storefront shouts rock 'n'
roll. Concert memorabilia, autographed photos, posters, and rock knick-
knacks adorn the space. "Never felt we fit the cookie-cutter mold of a typical
hair salon," admits Bruce. With their extensive history in the local music
scene, every wall chronicles years of connections to many local bands and
many national artists as well. But the shop is just a place says Ellyse, "As
much effort as we've put into the room here, as Rockstyles, we can cut hair
anywhere. We think our clients really want us – our service and experience. "
Twenty-five years in business is no small feat – a real milestone. "Three reces-
sions later, still here," interjects Bruce. But the underlying curiosity begs the
question - how does a married couple who eat, sleep and work together per-
severe and make it so seemingly successful? "Bruce is the rock to my styles,"
grins Ellyse. Unquestionably, that's a healthy sentiment.
Visit Rockstyles By Ellyse at www.Rockstyles.com, and see Rockstyles' Facebook
photo album "Thru The Years" for some excellent hair heyday photos.
Guitar Season
The friendly folks from R&B Productions are back with their Chicago Vintage
Guitar Expo on Sunday, September 29 from 9 AM until 3 PM. at the Hillside Best
Western Plus at 440 Frontage Rd. Dealers from all over the Midwest will be buying,
selling, and trading new and used guitars, amplifiers, parts, keyboards, and musical
instrument accessories, and memorabilia. Admission is $10. Need more details? For
last-minute dealer info and questions, call 847-931-0707 or email
[email protected].
Continued on page 48
6 illinoisentertainer.com september 2019