by John Bush
Formed as a garage punk band in Los Angeles during the early 80s, the Pandoras debuted with a 7 EP in 1984 on the Moxie label. That same year, the group recorded Its About Time with producer Greg Shaw, but splintered later in the year. Vocalist/guitarist Paula Pierce recruited three new players, while the old band toured for a short time, using the Pandoras name as well. Pierce and her new lineup released Stop Pretending in 1986 on Rhino, and then moved up to the majors with an Elektra deal. An album (Come Inside) was recorded but never released, and the Pandoras were summarily dropped from the label, only to re-surface in 1988 on Restless. A far cry from their beginnings, the Rock Hard EP contained several libido-obsessed homages to crotch rock, as did the Live Nymphomania LP, recorded at a Dallas concert.