> Maybe Darby Crash wasn't homophobic, but did you miss the scene in "The
> Decline of Western Civilization" where he and his girlfriend crack up
> laughing as while recounting how they found a dead house painter's body at
> some party, Darby referring to him as a "wetback."
Yes, I recall that scene (you can find it at YouTube). It's the same scene where Darby is pretending to be straight, making breakfast with his "girlfriend" Lorna Doom. The guy was into theater and shock, so who knows whether or not that story about the dead painter is true. As far as him being racist, recall that he founded The Germs with Pat Smear, who is part African/Cherokee, and who doesn't look anything like a suburban white boy. That could mean nothing or everything. Smear is currently assisting on a new film about Darby and The Germs (with Shane West playing Darby), and has reunited with the original band to play some club dates (with West singing lead). Again, that could mean nothing, but I seriously doubt that Smear would go to such lengths to honor some dead racist kid.
> Also, which songs contain his great lyrics? The only one I remember from
> my very brief interest in The Germs was some poorly written song about his
> disgust with people being propagandized in the Soviet Union.
You're probably referring to "Communist Eyes," which is an okay song, and like most of Darby's work, deals with being lied to and used by those who want to control you. Remember, the kid died just after he turned 22, and his lyrics -- at least to me -- are pretty damn good for someone that age, and younger. He was a teenager when he wrote "Forming," considered by most as the first LA punk song (though how this is determined or truly defined I have no idea):
Rip them down hold them up Tell them that I'm your gun Pull my trigger I am bigger than...
Mr. Prez in his big white house Listen he says we're coming out Infiltration - we're numbing your minds Concentration - we've done time
Over there the queen she says Let's stamp them out and dry those tears Saturation - we want it in taxes Flagellation - we've got gashes
In the cold, the czar's claimin' Just protectin' rockets aimin' Alteration - the Earth is changin' Observation - we want action
I the Emperor proclaim Us the masters we rule this game Inclination - somethin to dream on Deprivation - we are sons
This wasn't the standard "Live Fast/Die Young" chants many young punks were into. Darby was a poet -- raw at times (he was a kid), but he definitely had an ear and some real human feeling.
Also in "Decline," The Germs play "Manimal," though Darby's so fucked up you cannot understand what he's singing (subtitles are provided). Again, I cannot find anything remotely racist or queer-hating about this (or any of his lyrics, for that matter, where I've yet to find an epithet like "wetback"):
I came into this world like a puzzled panther Wanting to be caged But something stood in the way I was never quite tamed
I crossed the paths of right and wrong And saw them take their toll I saw armies that marched And like animals they crawled
Evolution is a process too slow To save my soul But I've got this creature on my back And it just won't let go If I am only an animal Then I can do no wrong But they say I'm something better So I've gotta hold on
Finally, I'm sure the atheists in the house would probably like "No God":
I've read every book in the Bible Story And all it ever brought me was another worry Don't want God, give me a jury See - there's no God to make up my mind No God givin me time
I peered in every window where I saw a cross But I could never see just what they saw In that piece of plaster on the wall See - there's no God to fear No God to hear your cries
I'd pray to anything out there If only I was given some sign to bear But while I wait I'm gonna live See - there's no God to watch over me No God for human beings
When I was small I obeyed his every word Handed down to me by some thoughtful blur But now I am as big as he See - no God bigger than I No God frightening me
In my image I made he him and I gave him life So he burned me, the creature has risen and I Think you can see just what it is that's drivin Me around round
We are the church we are good and we've got your millions God knows we should
Dennis