Run Down Love Battery

The Zoo Crew is spinning the electrifying track Run Down Love Battery by The Pandoras from their 1988 Rock Hard EP, a song that’s got the Zoo Freaks buzzing with its raw energy. This track, a standout from the Los Angeles all-female garage punk band, marked a shift from their earlier 1960s garage rock roots to a heavier, glam-metal sound. One juicy piece of trivia comes from a 2015 article on The Recoup, which describes how Elektra Records tried to mold The Pandoras into a heavy metal act, a move that shocked fans expecting their usual punky vibe. Despite the glossy production, Run Down Love Battery shines as a high-quality metal anthem, with its gritty lyrics about using love as “fuel for my mind” and recharging a worn-out lover. The song’s music video, aired on MTV’s Headbangers Ball, featured the band rocking out in a smoky garage, cementing their brief but bold foray into the metal scene.

Another tidbit from a 1988 interview in Big Takeover magazine, recounted by Kim Shattuck (later of The Muffs), highlights the band’s wild recording sessions for Rock Hard. Paula Pierce, the band’s fierce frontwoman, insisted on cranking the amps to capture the song’s raw power, leading to late-night studio chaos that nearly got them kicked out. Fans on Reddit’s r/hairmetal community have also shared love for the track, with one 2021 post calling it a “hidden gem of the glam era” that deserved more radio play. The song’s live performance on the debut episode of The Arsenio Hall Show in 1989 further boosted its cult status, showcasing The Pandoras’ commanding stage presence to a national audience.

The Pandoras’ story began in 1982 at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where Paula Pierce, a graphic arts major, posted a flyer seeking a female musician to jam with, inspired by 1960s garage punk. She connected with Deborah Mendoza, an art major, and the two started jamming between classes, bonding over their love for raw, retro sounds. As detailed on Wikipedia, Pierce, who’d been gigging in bands since 1976, brought her experience from the mod/garage act Action Now, while Mendoza added fresh energy. The band formed as part of Hollywood’s Paisley Underground scene, alongside acts like The Three O’Clock, blending 1960s garage rock with psychedelia. By 1983, with a lineup including Gwynne Kahn, Bambi Conway, and Casey Gomez, The Pandoras were gigging regularly, gaining a loyal following thanks to DJ Rodney Bingenheimer’s radio support and their gossip-page-worthy antics.

Tragically, Paula Pierce passed away in 1991 at age 31 from a brain aneurysm, and Kim Shattuck, who played bass from 1985 to 1990, died in 2019. The Pandoras’ legacy lives on through their music and fan communities. Their official Facebook page shares throwback photos and gig memories, while fans on Instagram keep the vibe alive with posts tagged #ThePandoras. On X, users occasionally post about rare vinyl finds or tribute shows. For deeper fan engagement, check out the Paisley Underground Facebook group, where devotees discuss The Pandoras alongside other scene staples. While no official website exists today, the band’s story is well-documented on platforms like Last.fm, a go-to for fan-curated discographies and bios.