In much the same way I described their peers in the Tuff Darts, The Testors were yet another band from the inaugural class of CBGB who — for whatever reason — failed to vault themselves out of anonymity and into the history books in the same manner as compatriots bands like The Cramps, The Dead Boys and their more celebrated ilk.
Why that is remains the case something of a mystery, as the Testors — led by vocalist/guitarist Sonny Vincent — pretty much checked all the right boxes. Boasting a sharp look and a taut, edgy sound, the band was a regular fixture at both Max’s Kansas City and CBGB when both venues would have been in full punky bloom. Regardless, despite regularly performing around town and even cutting their own vinyl, the Testors pulled the plug, in 1981, after seven years. Sonny Vincent went onto other things, and the Testors even fleetingly reunited in 2011 for a gig at the Delancey in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge, but they never really got their due, to my mind. In 2024, theirs is a name seemingly shared only by pedantic purists, record collectors and greying punk veterans.
Be that as it may, my excellent comrade Jeremiah Moss (he of Vanishing New York fame and now a rightfully celebrated author) made what I’d consider an incredible discovery. Lifted respectfully from his Instagram page, here’s JW’s preamble…
Sometimes, the past is revealed behind a demolished facade. A gorgeous find, as I came across these vintage 1970s posters stuck to a pair of old doors at NYU. One is for the Testors (a 70s punk band formed by @sonnyvincent77) at Max’s Kansas City (!)…
Check out Jeremiah’s pics below.
I dream of happening upon stuff like this, so hats off to Jeremiah, once again. It should be noted that this isn’t the first time he’s uncovered something like this.
In any case, you can see the full original flyer in the clip below, as well as a slew of other images from the Testors’ brief tenure.
Crank it up.
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