Happy belated 52nd bday, Georg Albert Ruthenberg, aka Pat Smear! From the Germs, to Nirvana, Foo Fighters, 45 Grave, the Adolescents, Twisted Roots, Nina Hagen, et al, we were there, down in front nearly from the get-go, frantically slamming to that manic black Hagstrom of yours! You made even the best bands you played with better, simply via your musical contribution to the band's sound as a whole (not Hole, though granted, that's a story all it's own; perhaps another day). Your musical talents were always lauded by my ex, Lino "Lousy" Ochoa (R.I.P.), founder/vocalist/song-writer of 80's L.A.'s infamous, OG, Mid-City, thrash/speed-metal punkrock quartet, Crankshaft (Mystic, Smoke Seven, Bomp, Puke & Vomit, etc). An L.A. native, which I was not, Lino reveled in recounting tales to me of those early Masque gigs I regretfully missed, as I was only 15 in '78 & hadn't quite yet made it to the Best/Left Coast. But when I did get there, you best believe we hit the streets running, making every show we could afford to attend. I hope you had a blast on your birthday, that there will be many more to come, & that you never cease to shred. Rock on, Pat, kick-a** guitarist & good man, who was madly respected by my old man. Take care now, sharonthedyslexicmess in NorCal.