Thrills

One of Boston's most popular bands during the first wave of punk, no doubt in large part due to singer Barb Kitson's commanding voice and punky-starlet looks, the Thrills formed in 1977 out of a loose confederation of local scenesters. Kitson, a DJ at the influential college station WMBR (where according to legend, she was the first in Boston to play "Anarchy in the UK"), hooked up with bassist Merle Allin (brother of shock-rocker G.G.), drummer Mike Collins, lead guitarist Sean McDonough, and songwriter/guitarist John Carmen, whose preferred stage name of Johnny Angel betrayed his love of classic '60s pop. Weaving Spector-esque influences into primal Ramones-style punk, the Thrills were among the best bands on the fruitful Boston punk and new wave scene of the late '70s. Their first single, "Hey! (Not Another Face in the Crowd)," remains a local favorite, appearing on Rhino's Mass. Ave.: The Boston Scene (1975-83) and other comps. In 1980, due to conflicts with a New York band of the same name, the Thrills changed their name to City Thrills and released a 10" EP under that name in 1981. Much poppier than their earlier work, the City Thrills EP prefigures the pop-punk sound of the Muffs, Cub, and other '90s bands. City Thrills broke up shortly after that release. Angel went on to form the Blackjacks, Army of Bozos, and the Swingin' Erudites while developing a career as a rock critic. Allin joined his brother's band, the Murder Junkies, and also was in the original lineup of the Cheater Slicks. Kitson played a few solo shows during the '80s and recorded several tracks with Boston scene patriarch Willie Alexander later in the decade.