Leighton Koizumi
Vocals
Bernadette
Guitar
Oliver Pilsner
Bass
Roméo Lachasseigne
Guitar
Buanax
Drums
San Diego’s Garage Rock Legends
The band's original lineup featured guitarist Tommy Clarke, bassist Jeff Lucas (also known as Jeffrey Luck Lucas), drummer Mark Mullen, and two former members of the garage cult heroes The Gravedigger Five: vocalist Leighton Koizumi and guitarist Ted Friedman. The group officially came together in late August 1984 when Koizumi and Friedman joined the already established trio. The Morlocks played their first show in September 1984 at the Rave-Up in Los Angeles, a performance that immediately drew attention and resulted in two recording offers that same night. The band ultimately signed with Midnight Records of New York City.
In December 1984, The Morlocks recorded their debut mini-LP Emerge under unique circumstances — using a set of broken instruments destroyed just days earlier by fellow garage band The Tell-Tale Hearts. Produced by Jordan Tarlow (who would later join The Fuzztones), Emerge was released in spring 1985 and is now considered a cornerstone release in the 1980s garage rock revival.
Following the success of their debut, The Morlocks relocated to San Francisco, where they recorded their second album, Submerged Alive, for Epitaph Records. Although billed as a live album recorded in Berkeley, California, the record sparked controversy due to apparent studio-enhanced audience noise, leading some to question its authenticity as a live performance.
By summer 1987, internal tensions and lineup changes began to unravel the band. Just before a major show at the Fillmore supporting The Cult, bassist Jeff Lucas quit. The remaining members managed to record a few final tracks with producer Ron Rimsite before the band ultimately dissolved. These recordings were later released posthumously on two 7-inch singles.
Even after their breakup, The Morlocks' influence persisted. A live LP from Croatia titled Wake Me When I’m Dead was released four years later, followed in 1997 by the raw, energetic live CD Uglier Than You’ll Ever Be! compiled by Ted Friedman.
In 1999, Spin Magazine erroneously reported that frontman Leighton Koizumi had died. In truth, Koizumi had vanished from the music scene due to a life-changing event: in 1990, he was arrested following an attempted robbery of a drug dealer in a Mexican border town. Although the incident was drug related, Koizumi was charged with kidnapping after reportedly tying people up during the altercation. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Upon his release, Koizumi was determined to reclaim his place in rock and roll. He resurrected The Morlocks with an entirely new lineup, featuring Bobby Bones (guitar, backing vocals), Lenny Pops (guitar), Nic "The Canadian" (bass), and Marky (drums). This modern incarnation of The Morlocks began touring extensively, performing both classic material and newly written songs that pushed the band's garage rock roots into a fresh era.
Since 2017 headquartered in Germany, The Morlocks are a supercharged international outfit. Leighton Koizumi has assembled a dream team of European garage rock royalty. Starting with Rob Louwers - drums (Fuzztones, Q-65, Link Wray), Oliver Pilsner - Bass (Fuzztones, Cheeks, Montesas, Magnificent Brotherhood), Bernadette - Guitar (Sonny Vincent, Humpers) and Marcello Salis (Gravedigger V, Hangee V).
Leighton Koizumi’s return from the brink added a powerful chapter to The Morlocks' story — a tale of rebellion, survival, and musical resurrection. To this day, The Morlocks continue to be celebrated for their explosive live performances, their influential place in garage rock history, and their uncompromising commitment to raw, high-energy rock and roll.
Discography
Emerge
Midnight Records
TRACKLIST
1. By My SideIn The Cellar
2. 24 Hours Every Day
3. Born Loser
4. Judgement Day
5. Project Blue
6. It Don't Take Much
7. One Way Ticket
Submerged Alive
Epitaph Records
TRACKLIST
1. Get Out Of My Life Woman
2. She's My Fix
3. Different World
4. Black Box
5. Leavin' Home
6. My Friend The Bird
7. Body Not Your Soul
8. Two Wheels Go
9. Empty
Wake Me When I’m Dead
Slušaj Najglasnije!
TRACKLIST
1. Fly Away (Into The Night)
2. You Mistreat Me
3. Cry In The Night
4. Cruel
5. Born Loser
6. Double Decker Bus
7. By My Side
8. Superstupid
9. 99 Miles
10. Nile Song
11. Under The Wheel
12. You Must Not Be Seen As I Am
Uglier Than You’ll Ever Be!
Slušaj Najglasnije!
TRACKLIST
1. I Need You
2.You Mistreat Me
3. Leavin' Here
4. Far Away
5. My Friend The Bird
6. I Got Nightmares
7. Outside Looking In
8. The K
9. Your Body Not Your Soul
10. Double Decker Bus
11. Get Out Of My Life, Woman
12. Cry In The Night
13. By My Side
14. When The Night Falls
Easy Listening For The Underachiever
Olde Haat Records
TRACKLIST
1. Dirty Red
2. Sex Panther
3. Teenage Head
4. My Friend The Bird
5. You Burn Me Out
6. Cat (On A Hot Thin Groove)
7. Get Out Of My Life Woman
8. Till The Wheels Fall Off
9. Just A Little Bit
The Morlocks Play Chess
Fargo Records
TRACKLIST
1. I'm A Man
2. Help Me
3. Killing Floor
4. Smokestack Lightning
5. Who Do You Love
6. Boom Boom
7. Promised Land
8. Sitting On Top Of The World
9. You Never Can Tell
10. Feel So Bad
11. You Can't Sit Down
12. Back In The USA
Bring On The Mesmeric Condition
Hound Gawd! Records
A re-vamped line-up is set to take up the gauntlet. The band is currently based in Düsseldorf, Germany and Leighton has enlisted a who's who European fuzz masters starting with Rob Louwers on drums (Fuzztones, Q-65, Link Wray); Oliver Pilsner on bass (Fuzztones, Cheeks, Montesas, Magnificent Brotherhood); Bernadette on guitar (Sonny Vincent, Humpers) and Marcello Salis on guitar and vocals (Gravedigger V, Hangee V). Up until recently, The Morlocks have been sequestered in their secret European lair. They've been plotting and planning a new set list featuring tracks from their new album, Bring On The Mesmeric Condition, along side classics and fan favorites. Folks can expect a whole new trip, including new recordings, new tours, new merch, and a new live show guaranteed to melt your mind, make your ears bleed, put some boogie in your backseat, while leaving you with an intense desire for more.
The band's new album, Bring On The Mesmeric Condition, was recorded By Alaska Winter at various secret locations in Germany, including stops in “The Black Forests“ of Freiburg, the seedy underbelly of the Rhine (Düsseldorf/Köln) and East meets West (Berlin). Mixed and mastered by the notorious Jim Diamond of Dirtbombs fame, employed to give it that special “Motor City” grit and grease that is required on a Morlocks record. It's been a while since the release of their last record, The Morlocks Play Chess, and the new record features something never before offered on a Morlocks LP, a track listing of all original songs!!!!!
Through the twists and turns of rock and roll’s unending stretch of highway, The Morlocks have proven themselves to be road warriors and survivors. Today, as they prepare to take the world by storm, The Morlocks continue to find themselves listed among the ranks of the most notorious, mysterious, respected and legendary American and European garage punk bands.
TRACKLIST
1. Bothering Me
2. We Can Get Together
3. Heart Of Darkness
4. No One Rides For Free
5. Down Underground
6. Time To Move
7. One Foot In The Grave
8. High Tide Killer
9. Easy Action
10. You Don't Know
