The Mechanics: Tim Racca, Sandy Hancock, Brett Alexander, Scott Hoogland and Dennis Catron standing in front of a Fullerton, California automobile repair garage.
The Mechanics were a fusion of two bands, the L.A. Brats (Scott, Dennis, Brett and Sandy, which also featured John Crawford, future Berlin bassist) and Head Over Heels' songwriter and guitarist, Tim Racca. Head Over Heels also featured Danny Furious (O'Brien: pre-Joan Jett) and Greg Westermark before they formed punk legends The Avengers.
They are now remembered mostly by Orange County musicians who watched them in their teens like Mike Ness, Dennis Danell, and Rikk Agnew. Though they released only one 45 rpmsingle during their existence, their songs turned up on other's records, namely The Adolescents ("Frustrated" from Balboa Fun Zone) and The Avengers (their Dangerhouse single "Car Crash" is a reworking of The Mechanics "Warm Hollywood Welcome"). A copy of the Mechanics' rare 45 (only 500 were pressed) sold in 2009 for $348.00 on EBay.
Scott Hoogland - Currently lives in Lake Elsinore and sings in Poop
Dennis Catron - Art director, lives in Orange County with his wife and son
Sandy Hancock - Played with China White, 22 Jacks, Joyride, The Adolescents, sessions with Joey Ramone, and is currently with the blues-based Mama Hagglin'. Resides in La Habra and collects vintage cars
"There was this band called The Mechanics from Fullerton who never did anything cause they were so far ahead of their time. I think probably out of all the bands, they influenced me the most." — Mike Ness, Social Distortion
"The Mechanics. Hard-rocking, Iggy-esque 1970s godfathers to the whole Fullertonpunk scene. They inspired the wee lads who became Social D and Agent Orange, and introduced the harmonized octave guitar sound that The Adolescents emulated on their blue album." — Mike Boehm, L.A. Times
"The Adolescents' trademark soaring, massed-guitar sound--later appropriated by the Offspring, Guttermouth and many others--"was a Tim Racca trip that we borrowed and made huge, and everyone's done it since." — Frank Agnew, The Adolescents
"I remember Dennis [Catron] doing a slide solo, using a big wrench. Tim Racca had such great attention to tone and played jackhammer rhythms. They were like a cross between AC/DC and Generation X, with a little Iggy Pop thrown in." — Mike Palm, Agent Orange (band)
"No Brakes / Drivin' Me Away 7 inch Chateau East, 1981 PS. Hard rock punk crossovers from late 1970s Fullerton. Guitarist Tim's rhythm style would be copped by fellow locals the Adolescents, whom The Mechanics heavily influenced." — Brian, Grand Theft Audio
