Jimi LaLumia in conversation

Jimi LaLumia in conversation with David Eastaugh

New York punk musician Jimi LaLumia was raised in Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island, and grew more and more interested in the New York City music scene of the late '60s and early '70s. He became a freelance music writer and a scene staple at the legendary Max's Kansas City, befriending Johnny Thunders and Jayne County in the process. In 1977, LaLumia formed Jimi LaLumia and the Psychotic Frogs, self-releasing the manic "Death to Disco (Disco Sucks)" later that year. The aptly titled EP Typically Tasteless appeared in 1978, featuring the originals "Mangle Me" and "You'll Never Walk Again" on the A-side and hilariously vulgar renditions of "Eleanor Rigby" and County's "I Got Fucked by the Devil Last Night" on the flip. The following year saw the release of two more Beatles-related covers, the Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout" and the Shirelles' "Boys," on a gold-vinyl 45 featuring vocals by Cherry Vanilla and Blondie's early backup singer Donna Destri. Although the group survived in various forms for several years, that was their last official release.