From “Good-Rock 107” to the Sunset Strip: The Launchpad
Before we hit Los Angeles, we were cutting our teeth in the competitive, high-stakes rock scene of Northeast Ohio. Our breakthrough came through the Good-Rock 107 (WRQK) songwriting contest, sponsored by Stroh’s Brewing Company.
Winning that competition wasn’t just a trophy; it was our professional entry point. We were featured on the official 1985 compilation album, released under the Star Stream Records banner. That record became our “proof of concept.” It opened doors across the region, landing us prime support slots for major touring rock acts and proving that our sound could command a crowd.
By June 1985, we had the momentum, the label credit, and the stage experience to know we were ready for a bigger stage. We packed up our gear and headed for California, carrying the “Formula” that had worked so well in the Midwest. We didn’t arrive in L.A. as unknowns; we arrived as an established, label-backed act ready to prove that the Ohio work ethic was a force to be reckoned with.
