Vidiots (aka The Vidiots and Audio Vidiot), are a Los Angeles, CA, USA, punk band which formed 1978. Members include: Alec Murphy (guitar, bass), Robert Windfield (vocals, songwriting), David Murphy (guitar), Chas Grey (bass) and Marina Del Rey (keyboard).

Known for an extremely loud, garage style, the band released only one song, a minute and a half extravaganza entitled Laurie’s Lament that wound up on The Happy Squid sampler, Rodney on the Roq, vol. 1, Bloodstains over California, the feature documentary Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator and the Keats Rides a Harley compilation.

Except for a handful of songs recorded at a movie lot sound facility (including Laurie’s Lament), the material here is primarily 4-track basement demos. Sound is pretty raw, ranging from straight-ahead buzz-saw punk to psychedelia. A couple of untitled mystery tracks appear at the end. All in all, an uneven but intriguing sonic blast from an obscure member of Hollywood punk’s halcyon days.

Review by Mat G at Hussieskunk.com

The Vidiots -
New Skin For An Old Ceremony (released 2006)
River3 Digital Press
...The album features some great guitar work, courtesy of David Murphy and some fantastic vocal stylings by ringleader Robert Windfield (who apparently is the only member to stay with the band throughout it's short life). Within the disc, see the last track "Eyes Of Fear", there is some bonus material, that is a little more pop induced rock, that actually stands out as more interesting than most of what else is on the disc. Unfortunately, there isn't information available about these tracks, so I'm not sure what to make of them. I like them more than many of the other tracks on the albums... Falling somewhere between a new wave sound and an old garage rock sound, The Vidiots are kind of a missing link band that were probably one of thousands that helped to bridge the gap between the punk and post-punk era. For fans of guitar-driven, late-70s punk that flirts with the coming of new wave, the Vidiots would be a nice addition to any old school CD collection. –MG

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