10/27/2026
The Nerves were an American power pop trio, formed in San Francisco in 1974 and later based in Los Angeles, featuring guitarist Jack Lee, bassist Peter Case, and drummer Paul Collins. All three members composed songs and sang.
Although The Nerves only lasted a short time they managed to self release one legendary 4 song EP in 1976 distributed by Bomp! Records that included 2 Jack Lee songs: “Hanging On The Telephone” and “Give Me Some Time,” 1 Peter Case song: “When You Find Out,” and 1 Paul Collins song: “Working Too Hard,” and play many shows up and down the west coast and to tour the US and Canada including some support slots with the Ramones.
The Nerves went on to become one of the most influential of the new wave of power pop that started popping up in the late 70s and is still popping up today with young groups like The Lemon Twigs, Sharp Pins and Mod Lang.
Oh yeah, let’s not forget that little cover of “Hanging On The Telephone” that made some waves (and continues to make waves) after the president of the West Coast chapter of the Blondie Fan Club, Gun Club’s Jeffery Lee Pierce, handed a dubbed cassette copy of the EP over to Debbie and Chris back in 1978.
