Thursday , 12 December 2024

A californian female metal band of the mid-eighties, Diamond Claw never enjoyed great fame despite their quality. They were formed in 1984 by Debra Lynn Billingsley as vocalist, the guitarist Jenny Thornburg, Mary Jo Godges on bass (DJ at a radio station, in Phantom Blue from 1998 to 2000) and Pam Reene Galloway on the drums.

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Country: United States
History: 1984 – 1989
Status: Inactive
Style: Heavy Metal

Biography:
A californian female metal band of the mid-eighties, Diamond Claw never enjoyed great fame despite their quality. They were formed in 1984 by Debra Lynn Billingsley as vocalist, the guitarist Jenny Thornburg, Mary Jo Godges on bass (DJ at a radio station, in Phantom Blue from 1998 to 2000) and Pam Reene Galloway on the drums.

They got a record deal with Black Jack Records, which released their EP “No Hate in Paradise” in 1987. But things did not quite work, and with no recording contract they self-produced a one-song demo titled “Sex Thing”, only to disappear shortly thereafter.

Lineup:
Debra Lynn Billingsley – Vocals
Jenny Thornburg – Guitar
Mary Jo Godges – Bass
Pam Reene Galloway – Drums

Discography:
1987, “No Hate In Paradise” (EP)
1989, “Sex Thing” (Demo)

Related links:
http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=24014

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6 comments

  1. I met Mary Jo at a friends house one night and I have a promo alabum autograhped by Mary Jo. The freind was Les Smith in Bellflower, CA back in the mid eighties. Just was wondering what the hell happened to the band. Wasn’t Mary Jo a DJ on KNAC?

  2. Yes, Mary Jo was a DJ at Rock N Rhythm 105.5 KNAC, Long Beach. I remember hanging out with the crew during their shifts at the station at the top of the old F&M bank at the corner of 3rd and Pine.
    Went to the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach and watched Mary Jo and her group BLAST the place. They shoulda made it. Too early for their time.

  3. I used to roadie for the band back in the ’80’s. The last time i saw them Jenny (lead guitarist) had quit the band and we did one gig with Kelly who was playing lead for former GO-GOs Kathy Valentine. The problem was they were all Scorpio’s and fought like cats and dogs, but i really miss it…was one hell of a good time.

  4. I worked with Deborah Billingsley and Mary Jo at
    Qualex photo lab in Long Beach California in the late 1980s I used to go to their house in Downey I believe it was all the way down the end of elm Vista Street on the north side of the street. I went to a club with them in Hollywood one time to see a band can’t remember the band but it was a good time. Yes Mary Jo was Mary the maniac on KNAC 105.5 pure rock.
    I hope I don’t piss anybody off but they asked me to marry their friend to keep her in the country I had a girlfriend at the time so I said no their friends name was Kelly Johnson of Girlschool.

  5. i met mary joe at work , i worked at a jiffy lube on pch and noticed a group of girls comn in and out of the bldng next door . so i walked over one day and asked ” are you guyz in a band ? ” she said yes and handed me two tix for that nights show . saw em numerous times , they always brought it ! she always gave me free tickets . I spoke with her a few yes back over the phone but it wasn’t like it used to be . i will always have those memories . KNAC fukn ruled

  6. I was a full time hairdresser/make up artist doing a part-time internship in Sales and Marketing at KNAC, studying Radio Production at LBCC. MJ did an import show on Tuesdays. It was the best import show on the air. I did hair/make up for the band, photo shoots, album cover and I went to their shows and got them stage ready; until I left LB in 1985. Those girls were THE BEST! Hard working, hard rocking; diligent and meticulous with their music. Their music was STRONG! Everyone who came to the shows loved them. I stll hold them in high regard, have great memories and rank them near the top as some of the nicest people I’ve ever known. I haven’t seen any of them in 32 years, but I’ll always love them and never forget them. (Hey, ladies! Hope you’re all doing well! Give me a shout sometime!)

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