Punk rock band originated in College Park 1982. The original line-up was Damon Norko (vocals), Steve Geest (guitar), Mary Voss (bass), and Darryl Dardenne (drums). Steve and Mary left early on and were replaced by Richard Drews (lead guitar), Nathan Long (guitar), Mike Bell (from the Platinum Slugs on bass). They recorded an albums worth of material in 1984 at Greg Berzinski’s Storeroom Sound Studio, much of it used on “The SubMensas Love You” cassette. Vernon Hawkins replaced Mike Bell on bass in late 1985-6. Drews left in 1986 ( joining Robert Fripp’s League of Crafty Guitarists), and was replaced in 1987 with Jim McPherson (founder and lead guitarist of Platinum Slugs), and Mike Bell returned on bass. Darryl Dardenne left in 1988, replaced briefly with Sean McCall (All Mighty Senators) before returning. Other members included Brian ‘Snackie’ Hillman (guitar), Greg Stinson (guitar ex-The Melvyn) and Matt Soloman (sax)….
Photo by Karen Elliott – Courtesy of Mike Bell
The group melded 60s garage rock, punk/post-punk, funk, and jazz, replete with 60s style psychedelic lights and films, sometimes with go-go dancers. Seen at the Marble Bar, Nicky D’s, Eight by Ten, The Chambers, Max’s on Broadway, Trenton Street Stop, The Rev, Mums, The Bank, Dulaney Inn, Hour Haus, Scallios Tavern, Chesters Place (John Hopkins), The Intertribal Pow-Wow at Ferry Bar Park (off Hanover Street), SoWeBo Festival, The Atrium and The West Gallery (both at University of Maryland College Park campus), and D.C. clubs King Kong’s, DC Space, Diamondhead, Safari Club, Beat Club, Rock Against Racism and the Unity Festival (both on The Mall in Washington DC)
The SubMensas released a couple cassettes – 1985s “The SubMensas Love You” and “Honesty Is The Best Policy” in 1987 – both by Mike Bell’s Ripe Records. The group (Damon, Vernon, Richard, Darryl) recorded a 7” for Xenon Records in 1986, and released a video called “Go Away from Baltimore” in 1989. The 1990 7″ (Accident/Nix the 90s) was released by the band and had no label affiliation. However, there were 200 copies with a picture sleeve distributed by Ripe Records. Their song “I’m Glad You’re Dead” was included on the 1995 Baltimore alternative music comp “Walking By A Building” (Hat Factory).
The band re-united in 2019 (Damon, Mike, Darryl, Jim) and played a couple shows in 2020 before the COVID pandemic shut everything down.
Photo by Monica Norko
Jim – guitar / Damon – vocals / Mike – bass / Darryl- drums
The song was used in the 1989 art film “go away from baltimore” by Fred Collins
SubMensas recordings courtesy of Mike Bell.
1985(CS)`Ripe The Submensas Love You
1987(CS) Ripe Honesty Is The Best Policy
1990 Nix The 90’s / Accident
