Plasmatics were formed in 1977 in New York City after Wendy O. Williams aswered a newspaper ad for Rod Swenson’s experimental theater show Captain Kink’s Sex Fantasy Theater. They began auditioning potential band members and were joined by guitarist Richie Stotts, bassist Chosei Funahara (whose Japanese “Ichi Ni San Shi!” countoff became the band’s trademark,) and drummer Stu Deutsch.

In July of 1978 the Plasmatics made their live debut on-stage at CBGB and released their first single “Butcher Baby”. By 1979, the band was headlining shows along the East Coast and they sold out the New York Palladium, the first band to do so without the benefit of a major record deal. After being joined by Wes Beech on rhythm guitar and Jean Beauvoir on bass, the Plasmatics signed with Stiff Records and subsequently released their debut album New Hope for the Wretched (1980). They released two more albums, Beyond the Valley of 1984 (1981) and Coup d'État (1982), before Williams decided to continue her career as a solo artist.

LINEUP:
Wendy O. Williams: vocals (1978–83)
Richie Stotts: lead guitar (1978–83)
Wes Beech: rhythm guitar, keyboards (1979–83)
Chris Romanelli: bass guitar, keyboards (1981–83)
T.C. Tolliver: drums (1982–83)

Chosei Funahara: bass guitar (1978–80)
Stu Deutsch: drums (1978–80)
Jean Beauvoir: bass guitar, keyboards (1980–81)