A-side recorded on a Sony 2-track in Pat Smear's garage. The live song was taken from the bands second public performance, at the Roxy for the movie 'Up In Smoke' (Germs not in the film).
Originally released in Sept 1977 in 1000 copies, with ''this record may cause ear cancer!'' on the back of the sleeve. The band objected to this slogan and a second pressing came without it. These 1977 copies have only one label. It was reissued by What? in 1982, with labels for both sides, and then reissued again in June 1989 on Iloki records, Chris Ashford's (of What?rec) new label. That one had a new sleeve and the cat no IR 23.
Bootleg version released in 1990 on Gift Of Life Records (GIFT 008) and a coloured vinyl re-issue was available on Alive records (cat no 0036) in the 90's.
*Germicide LP (Mohawk records, SCALP 001)
First released in September 1977 in a plain black sleeve, possibly only in 500 copies. Mohawk records was/is really Bomp records. Recorded live at the Germs' 3rd gig, June 1977, at Kim Fowleys' Punk Rock Festival, at the Whiskey in L.A. complete with Belinda Carlisle's introduction. Re-released in April 1981, in 3500 copies. Then issued as a cassette on Roir records (cat no A108) in November 1981. Then again on Mohawk 1993. This LP reissue had new artwork and was available on blue vinyl. A fourth LP version and a CD was released in the late 90's by Bomp (cat no 0070). The recordings were originally made for a never issued V/A live album on Bomp records, that was going to feature one of the songs only. Strictly speaking a bootleg LP.
*Lexicon Devil 7''ep (Slash records, SLASH 101)
3 songs produced by Geza X. B-sides: 'Circle One' and 'No God'. This was the first release from Slash magazine's record label. This one has the Weirdos' drummer Nicky Beat on drums. Released in May 1978 and sold through mail order only. The cover featured pictures of Hitler (front) and Goering, the Grim Reaper, Mussolini and Hirohito presented as the band members (back). It was done in three different versions. Originally a black on red cover and then two black on yellow; one standard and one which has ''Let's Pretend'' instead of ''Circle One'' and ''Nicky Beat'' instead of just ''drummer''. This one has cat no SLASH 002.
A German 1990 bootleg version of this record (released as a Slash rec, but with cat no SCAM 101), issued in standard black on yellow/orange sleeve, includes 2 bonus tracks, 'Lion's Share' and 'Manimal' (live) from the 2 movie soundtrack LP's (below).
*Yes LA LP (Dangerhouse records, EW 79)
One sided V/A album from 1979 that came in a clear plastic sleeve with a map of L.A. silk screened on the blank side of the record. Los Angeles' answer to New York's 'No NY' LP. Includes ''No God'' with an extra drum beat at the end. 1000 copies.
*Tooth And Nail LP (Upsetter records, 1+2)
1979 V/A album that includes pre-(GI) studio versions of ''Manimal'', ''Dragon Lady'' and ''Strange Notes''.
*(GI) LP (Slash records, SR 103)
Produced by Joan Jett and released in December 1979. She promised Darby it would sound just like 'Never Mind The Bollocks', and even though it doesn't it's still one of the best US punk albums. (GI) was intended as part of the band name but was made the LP title by Slash. There's also an original european pressing of this LP that credits the keyboards to Donnie Rose and features bonus song ''Flower Child'', written by Lorna and sung by Pat. Slash released a cassette version of the LP in the late 80's including bonus song ''Caught In My Eye''. It's also available on CD. Slash have kept the vinyl version in print. There's also a late 90's vinyl version with bonus songs taken from the 7''s.
*Musical Malice DLP (???, european record)
This DLP compiles the two 7''s and the (GI) LP as well as ''Caught In My Eye'' and a different take of ''the Slave''. Released 1980.
*Cruising LP (Columbia, JC 36410)
Original motion picture soundtrack for the film ''Cruising'' starring Al Pacino, 1980. Six songs were recorded with producer Jack Nitzsche for this film. The soundtrack only features one - ''Lion's Share''.
*The Decline of the Western Civilisation LP (Slash records, SR 105)
Original Dec 1980 motion picture soundtrack, for Penelope Spheeris' L.A. Punk Rock documentary film, featuring The Germs, among others. LP includes ''Manimal'' live + Darby stage talk.
*What We Do Is Secret 12'' (Slash rec, SREP 108))
Germs compilation released in Feb 1981 with 7 songs; the 'Lexicon Devil' 7''ep, ''Caught In My Eye'' - a studio outtake for the (GI) LP, 'Round'n'Round' (rec 1977 with X's drummer) and 2 songs recorded live at their last gig, Dec 3 1980.
*What? LP (What records, W 12-2403)
V/A album released in Sept 1982, including alt take of 'Forming', aka 'Forming 2'.
*Life Is Beautiful So Why Not Eat Health Food? LP (New Underground, NU )
V/A LP from 1983 with 'What We Do Is Secret' live at the Hong Kong Cafe in 1979.
*Life Is Boring So Why Not Steal This Record? LP (New Underground, NU 55)
V/A LP from 1983 with 'Strange Notes' and 'Caught In My Eye' live at the Hong Kong Cafe in 1979.
*Flipside Vinyl Fanzine Vol. 2 LP (Flipside records, 003)
V/A LP released in 1984 with one live track.
*Let The Circle Be Unbroken LP (Gasatanka records, G12)
German live album released in August 1985.
*Lion's Share LP (Ghost O' Darb records, WDG)
''Australian Fan Club'' (read ''Los Angeles Bootleg'') album with five of the Jack Nitzsche songs, plus five songs recorded live at the Starwood Dec 3 1980, their reunion-farewll gig. Issued November 1985 and reissued in 1987.
*Rock'n'Rule LP (XES records, XT3)
Bootleg album released in March 1986. Recorded on a 4-track and released by Geza X, featuring the band live at the Whiskey, Christmas 1979 (aka The Whiskey Riot). Reissued with cat no F506 in the early 90's.
*What Stuff LP (Iloki records, IL1011)
V/A LP with rare What? and Iloki records recordings. Includes first 7'' + 'Round 'n' Round' and 'Forming 2'. Released in 1990. Later re-released (and remastered) as a CD on Alive rec (cat no 4072).
*What God Means To Me / Manimal / Lion's Share 7''ep (?)
Bootleg released in 1991.
*(DCC) 7''ep (Gasatanka/Rockville records, ROCK6094-7)
A-side 'Communist Eyes' live at the Fleetwood April 26 1980. B-side 'Forming' and 'What We Do Is Secret' recorded during rehearsals at the Canterbury in 1979. Released both in the US and Canada, in 1992.
*What We Do Is Bootleg LP (No Label)
Bootleg album released in 1992.
*(GI) 7''ep (Crash! records, CRASH 001)
Bootleg from 1992 with the three songs that originally appeared on the 'Tooth And Nails' LP. Ltd ed of 500 no:'d copies. Cover says it was made in Italy.
*10 Years of Losing Money Box Set (Gasatanka records)
Released in 1993. Includes the exclusive Germs 7''ep 'Starwood Life' with live versions of 'Caught In My Eye', 'Manimal' and 'Forming'.
*Cat's Clause LP (Munster/Gasatanka records)
Released in 1993. Includes live songs taken from the Hong Kong Cafe 1979, Fleetwood and Starwood 1980 gigs and the Canterbury rehearsal tape 1979.
*(MIA) CD (Slash records, SR-45239-4)
Includes most of their official stuff. All 4 What? songs, the 'Lexicon Devil' ep, the (GI) LP and the Jack Nitzsche songs. Released in 1993.
*Media Blitz CD (Cleopatra records, CLEO 37312)
Includes 5 songs from the Hong Kong Cafe, 9 from the Whiskey Riot and 2 from the 1979 rehearsal tape. Released in 1993.
*Live From The Masque 1978 Vol 1 CD (House of Punk records, 7-59528-0066-2-8)
V/A Live CD from the Elks Lodge, L.A., Feb 24 (and 25) 1978, featuring 6 songs with the Germs. Released in 1994. Also available as part of a CD box set with the rest of the volumes.
*Real Punk! The Nasty Years LP (Cleopatra records, CLP 9684-2)
V/A LP that includes 'Throw It Away' from 1979 rehearsal. Released in 1996.
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