The original lineup of the band consisted of Rod Firestone, Buzz Clic, Donny Damage, Stix Pelton and Pete Sake. Firestone was previously known as "Rod Bent" when he was performing in the band King Cobra at a bar called The Crypt. When he and Clic began playing originals there, the band became the Rubber City Rebels. In their early years, the Rebels were fans of fellow Greater Cleveland-area bands the Dead Boys and Devo. Their breakout show was opening for the Dead Boys at legendary New York Cityrock clubCBGB in 1977. This led to a split album with the Bizarros, titled From Akron, which was released that year and received praise from Robert Christgau. Firestone and Clic would go on to open The Crypt in Akron, at the time, the only punk rock club in the Midwest. Bands including the Dead Boys, Devo, Pere Ubu and the Bizarros played at this club. The Rebels moved to Los Angeles in 1978, minus Pelton and Sake, and gained considerable fame on the Sunset Strip. They frequently headlined at the famous Whisky a Go-Go for bands such as the Knack, Fear, the Kats, the Nu Kats, the Dickies and the Plimsouls. The band was signed to Sire Records; however, a clash between band and record label ensued and the recording contract was terminated before the Rebels could record their debut album. Following some personnel changes, the Rebels signed a deal with Capitol Records, helped in no small way by Doug Fieger, lead singer of the Knack and a self-professed fan of the band. Matheson and Fieger had previously been members of the Sunset Bombers and had one album released on Ariola Records. The Rebels eponymous debut album was released in 1980. Although praised by critics, sales of the album never vaulted the band past its underground status. They can be seen near the end of the 1982 movieThe Assassination Game, performing "Born Dead" and "Rebel to the Rescue" behind the curtains in the theater. Linda Hamilton's character runs through the crowd at the show, attempting to escape from a pursuer. In 1983, Firestone released a 12" EP, Trouble, with his band the Firetones. Eventually the Rebels faded from the scene and ceased touring in 1988, although they never officially disbanded.
Recent years
Despite not touring or recording any new material through the 1990s, the Rebels' reputation and support among fans remained strong and in 2001, Mind Control Laboratories released a remastered Rubber City Rebels which featured improved sound quality and the addition of several bonus tracks. White Noise Records also released Re-Tired that year, a collection of live tracks and the Rebels' half of the From Akron LP. The band toured to support the new releases, featuring a reunion with former members Hammer and Damage. Boosted by the popularity of their reunion tour and the 2001 releases, the Rebels returned to the studio to record their second album, Pierce My Brain, which was released in 2002. The album track " Pierce My Brain" was included on the soundtrack for the 2003 skateboarding video gameTony Hawk's Underground. Although Damage left the band following the first reunion shows, he was quickly replaced by Bob Clic who plays on Pierce My Brain. The Rebels still play infrequent shows across the United States and Europe.
