Magnolia Thunderpussy, a source of pride and inspiration for Westside LA's mid-'80s underground, was the first high school age band to earn a record contract with legendary indie label SST. Musically, MTP fuses myriad influences -- surf, garage, jazz, punk, funk, rock and country -- naturally, and without concern for genre boundaries. Magnolia's set-lists feature equal doses of high-energy instrumental jams and songs whose lyrics depict a search for identity and the pain and longing that go along with it. While Magnolia originally disbanded in 1986 before making an album, the group has recently re-formed and has released "Starin' Down the Sun," a collection of their 1985 studio recordings and a full live performance. MTP is playing out again, so be sure to see the band in their element. As James Fenton of the Treacherous Jaywalkers says: "Magnolia [is] a live experience. Each gig [is] something unexpected, and something ineffably beautiful." 　　 　　Thurston Moore [Sonic Youth]: "Magnolia Thunderpussy slip it in your head in classic So Cal fallout fashion. They shoulda been massive." 　　 　　Adam Pfahler [Jawbreaker/Whysall Lane]: "They were heavy like Black Flag. Pretty like the Meat Puppets. Playful like the Minutemen. But there was more in there. Every style under the sun had a place to sit in their songs and above this eclectic foundation were some of the smartest, most thoughtful and heartbreaking lyrics we heard. MTP defied categorization." 　　 　　Mike Randle [Baby Lemonade/Love/Solo Artist]: "The music that invaded my head (via my big ears) was unlike anything I was used to. It was melodic, cool, exciting but mostly it was wonderful and I liken it to discovering something precious. It was THAT good." 　　 　　Marc Weingarten [Music Writer - Entertainment Weekly]: "Magnolia Thunderpussy was so gonzo for its time that it has taken us twenty years to catch up with them. Playing jittery no wave riffs with a jazz ensemble's finesse while singer Dale Nixon barked out punky dada 　　like a more literate Damo Suzuki, MTP was too good for 1985, and just what we need in 2005."