Topanga

Topanga Canyon connects suburban Woodland Hills and Malibu. The highway slithers down the hills with homes, nearly invisible behind the thick and dark leaves, on both sides. Back in the day, Topanga was just as important to the musical tribes of Southern California as was Laurel Canyon of Hollywood Hills, and in the 1960's and -70's unnumbered bands and songwriters found a home in one of the (often) run-down shacks that covered the steep canyon walls. Names like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Eagles, and Neil Young lived and created their music there, and it was a natural place for depresleys to launch an attack on America when we arrived in the US in the mid 90's.

The air is saturated with creativity in Topanga (yes, you may insert a cheap joke here...), and those who have lived there for a while have stories to tell. Stories of greatness and tragedy, of success and despair. And so do we. Not that we will tell them all... some would bore you, some would be too revealing, but some have become part of the band's history. We simply wouldn't have become what we are today had not Topanga Canyon opened up to us and invited us in. Most people who visit Southern California never go to Topanga, and that's the way the Topangaans want it. If you've found paradise, why invite the crowds? Things change, however, and today the shacks are being replaced by mansions, and only the truly successful can afford to make Topanga Canyon their home. We are happy we arrived in time to taste of what was still a thriving community of actors, musicians, writers, and hippies. We will always treasure the memories.