www2.ljworld.com http://www2.ljworld.

com/news/1997/sep/18/musician_writes_way_through/
By Anne
Tangeman
MUSICIAN WRITES WAY THROUGH 40 YEARS
An outlaw songwriter finds new fans in Lawrence.
Although he has penned tough, politically incorrect soundtracks to several 1960s B-grade biker movies and still sings
with a gravel-lined voice, Simon Stokes speaks in a smooth near-whisper.
Freely answering all questions in a Boston accent, he often turns the tables by asking in-depth questions about the
Lawrence music scene. He was curious about the late writer-artist William Burroughs, area radio programming and
The Outhouse, where he performed a few of his cult classics recently with the band Conquerer Worm.
Stokes began his musical career more than 40 years ago, spinning records as Count Coolbreeze the Baron of Bop
and went on to write a few regional hits before moving to Los Angeles. In the '60s, his songs set a standard for
leather biker rock with "Ride On Angel," "She Got the Voodoo" and "The Wolf Pack Rides Tonight."
Most recently, Stokes has written material for such feature films as "Under the Rainbow," "Poltergeist 3" and "Vice
Squad," in addition to CD collaborations with the late counterculture icon Timothy Leary and American Indian activist
Russell Means.
Stokes came to Lawrence in late August as part of the Confederacy of Scum music showcase and to perform live
with Conquerer Worm, a band formed as a tribute to him. The band includes members of Anti-Seen and Rancid Vat
and was introduced to Stokes' legacy by punk legend Jello Biafra. The band recorded a collection of his songs, "Ride
On," and invited Stokes to the event.
Performing his classics with Conquerer Worm marked a milestone for the songwriter. Throughout the evening,
people walked up to him to shake his hand or get photographed with him. Stokes seemed surprised by the adulation.
"This has been really exciting for me; it's been really cool," he said. "Meeting the bands in the Confederacy of Scum
was terrific. There was a lot of togetherness."
Although he enjoys a level of cult fame today, Stokes has had his share of critics in the past. Remaining focused on
his work, he ignored derisive remarks and moved on.
"I got a call from RCA once -- I had left them a demo tape," Stokes recalled. "I went to the guy's office and he said,
'This is the worst tape I've ever heard. These are the worst songs I've ever heard and you are the worst vocalist.' At
the time it bothered me, but then a real coolness came over me, and I thought, 'Just go for it and don't ask anybody
anything.' ... So really it was a good thing."
Stokes found an outlaw ally in Timothy Leary, recording the CD "Right To Fly" with the LSD guru shortly before his
death.
"Tim was aware of death and really welcomed it," Stokes said.
Their CD begins with Leary's farewell, "No Regrets," but quickly moves into a rock 'n' roll mode with "Drive-By Love,"
"Ripped Van Winkle" and "Rock 'n' Roll Hollywood."
Stokes is currently recording a new album, aptly titled "I'm Back." And, although he continues to create songs for
mainstream movies, he's not about to give up his wild ways.
"That's where my heart is," he said. "It's with the outlaws and it always has been."