January 27, 1986
Freereelin' Studio
1175 S. Lincoln, Denver, CO
Eight-track recording session:
Some People
Fever Dreams
Time Is Gone
No Promises
Without You Fine
Dreaming Again
Fabrications
Engineer: Jeff Franek
February 26, 1986
Westword
The Aviators have signed a recording contract with a new indie label in L.A., Lost Arts Records. The band has an LP due out this April. The publicity director for Lost Arts, coincidentally, is Tammy Olson, former vocalist for the Denver band Alarming Trends. - Gil Asakawa
March 2, 1986
Freereelin' Studio
1175 S. Lincoln, Denver, CO
Eight-track recording session:
Dreaming Again
Back Home
Z-M-A
X-15
So Long Zsa Zsa
Jailbait
No Promises
Engineer: Jeff Franek
March 7, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Executrix
April 1, 1986
Teletunes
KBDI-TV
Ronnie Cramer hosts the show
April 2, 1986
Teletunes
KBDI-TV
Ronnie Cramer, Shari Bernsen and Rick Rock host the show
April 13, 1986
Longhorn Saloon
2305 Larimer
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
April 14, 1986
Freereelin' Studio
1175 S. Lincoln, Denver, CO
Eight-track recording session :
I Wonder Why (Cramer)
Own Little World (Benson)
No Promises (Cramer)
Mangled Nerve Center (Cramer)
Dreaming Again (Cramer)
You're Always Crying/White Cross (Cramer)
Dancing at Gunpoint (Cramer)
Jeff Franek: Engineer
April 19, 1986

Events Center
1580 Gaylord
Denver, CO
All-ages show
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Bratz and Big Man
April 25, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Private Hell
April 30, 1986
Westword
Bands on the run: Alarming Trends is busy with the creative end of music-making. The band spent a week in mid-April recording ten new songs at Freereelin' Studios, and then spent last weekend filming videos under the direction of the 'Rick Rock Show's Randy Hayes. The current lineup for the band: Ronnie Cramer on guitar, Rebecca Watson on vocals, Michael Benson on bass and Lonnie Ray on drums. The next Alarming Trends live set is planned for May 9 at the Taste of Denver. - Gil Asakawa
May 7-13, 1986
Westword
Denver's Most Creative Group: Alarming Trends
Slated for the weekend: Alarming Trends Friday, May 9, at the Taste of Denver. The Band's got new material, which has just been recorded on video for the 'Rick Rock Show.' That makes the Trends one of the most prolific and creative bands working on the local scene. They've released singles, cassettes, a long form video and more without even stopping for a breath. - Gil Asakawa
May 9, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Crosstown
May 18, 1986
Longhorn Saloon
2305 Larimer St.
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
May 24, 1986
Oscar Wilde's
815 Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Party of Four
May 1986
Freereelin' Studio
1175 S. Lincoln, Denver, CO
Half-track mastering session for what would become the 'Extended Play' EP:
White Cross
Some People
I Wonder Why
Fever Dreams
Rude Seduction
Fabrications
Engineer: Jeff Franek
June 6, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: The Primates
June 20, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Watt's Bald Head, Private Hell
June 21, 1986
Oscar Wilde's
815 Federal
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
July 16-22, 1986
Westword
Alarming Trends, never a band to sit still in the Denver scene, has a new cassette and videos for two songs on the streets. Creatively conceived by guitarist/bandleader/artist Ronnie Cramer, the videos were filmed in black-and-white with a stunning budget of $200. The tape's six songs were recorded at local studios, and include the titles 'White Cross,' 'Some People,' 'I Wonder Why,' 'Fever Dreams.' 'Rude Seduction' and 'Fabrications,' The other band members are Rebecca Watson on vocals, Michael Benson on bass and Lonnie Ray on drums. The band debuted the new tape at Taste of Denver last weekend. - Gil Asakawa
July 18, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Trends Cassette Release Party
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Fun at the Zoo
July 21, 1986
Aspen City Limits
4501 E. Virginia Ave.
Glendale, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: XEQ
July 27, 1986

Main Street
7000 W. Colfax
Lakewood, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
July 1986
Extended Play
Alarming Trends
Cassette SE-86505
White Cross
Some People
I Wonder Why
Fever Dreams
Rude Seduction
Fabrications
Producer: Ronnie Cramer
Engineers: Jeff Franek, John Burris
Cover Photo: Karl Koser
August 1986
Front Row
Alarming Trends have released a new six song cassette along with two accompanying videos.
Visually, the videos have nothing in common with the songs, but Trends' lead guitarist Ronnie Cramer says that is intentional.
'I strive not to do that. You've seen all the MTV videos and it seems like 90% are acting out all the words to the songs which to me seems kind of corny and annoying. It just doesn't interest me to sing a lyric and show it, it's redundant. I'd rather do something different to hold up the visual end.'
Both the videos are animated and Cramer did al the animation, editing and directing.
'I do them at my house on the kitchen table' says Cramer. 'I built this animation stand out of wood and glass. It's done by cutting out photos and putting them in between two sheets of glass and moving them.'
Each video took about four weeks working strictly nights, and the results can be seen on the Rick Rock Show.
The video for 'White Cross' is the most interesting, particularly a scene where a guy throws a fish at another guy and decapitates him by doing so. Definitely alarming. Hopefully not a trend.
August 1, 1986

Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Ped Xing
August 8, 1986
Rocky Mountain Collegian
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
Alarming Trends
Denver's Alarming Trends, a new-music group, will play the Laughing Dog Saloon Friday and Saturday. The band has just released a six-song cassette of original music and an accompanying pair of rock videos. Alarming Trends has played extensively in the Denver area and Westword magazine has called the band 'one of the most prolific and creative bands working the local scene.'
August 8-9, 1986

Laughing Dog Saloon
Horsetooth & College
Ft. Collins, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
August 15, 1986
Mabuhay Gardens
443 Broadway
San Francisco, CA
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Simulcast on KALX Radio
Also on the bill: The Front, Electric Phase, Table Grapes and the Mr. T Experience
August 1986
KALX 90.7 FM
Berkeley, CA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
August 29, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Fun at the Zoo
Fall 1986
Beef
San Francisco Arts & Music Journal
Extended Play Alarming Trends
Ronnie Cramer writes the music and lyrics but he cannot decide whether to go rock-pop or more punk so he plays on both. With Rebecca Watson's smooth, silky voice, the band can head for commercialism, but songs like 'White Cross' and 'Rude Seduction' jar us right to the edge of early punk. - Azian
September 1986
Front Range
The Alarming Trends continue to do well out of state. They recently headlined a show in San Francisco which was simulcast over a Berkeley radio station.
September 1986
Live in San Francisco
Alarming Trends
No Promises
Some People
The Ruin
Dancing at Gunpoint
Z-M-A
Without You Fine
Rude Seduction
Oh Jim Jones
Fever Dreams
Fabrications
You're Always Crying
White Cross
Recorded 8/15/86 at Mabuhay Gardens, San Francisco
September 3, 1986
Westword
Alarming news: Denver band Alarming Trends played the Taste of Denver nightclub last weekend, as a return date from a series of out-of-town tours. The band headlined a four-group show at San Francisco's groundbreaking Mabuhay Gardens; the concert was simulcast for a Berkeley radio station. Alarming Trends also filmed a video at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Loop-de-Loop: Dan Kenney, former lead guitarist (some would say signature sound) for the Aviators, is recruiting band members for a new local project. The band's called Strange Loop, and the music promises to have a slight R&B edge to it. That makes sense, since his input as songwriter for the Aviators always boasted a slinky funky sound. Kenney left his old band in L.A. to return to Denver; he's just not the leave-home kinda guy. - Gil Asakawa
September 5, 1986
Copacetic
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
Making music for the market (cover story)
Talent doesn't pay the rent. At least not in the music business. Marketing is as important to a band's success as songwriting and performing. Most local bands 'never get out of the basement,' Ronnie Cramer said.
Cramer is the guitarist, songwriter and video director for the Denver-based band Alarming Trends. Creative concerns aside, Cramer is also the band's manager and spends much of his time selling the band. With an album, an EP and three videos behind it, Alarming Trends is in a position to approach radio stations and record companies. Getting airplay is difficult, but KTCL, KBCO and KGNU have broadcast the band's songs. Cramer has contacted various record companies and said he has had some positive responses. Cramer has had success marketing Alarming Trends' videos, which will be seen on the USA network program 'Night Flight,' a station carried on cable in Fort Collins.
Until someone decides Alarming Trends has a place on the national music scene, there is the everyday business of being a band. The band rehearses in the basement of a mask shop, which Cramer said 'is about this big,' forming a three-inch square with his hands.
Typically the band makes $250 to $500 a night, figures that necessitate day jobs for all the members. Cramer, who has a degree in communications from Denver University, makes television commercials. Drummer Lonnie Ray refers to his daytime profession as 'garbology,' which is something like a sanitation engineer.
Alarming Trends doesn't have much trouble staying busy at night either. The band plays regularly in Denver and mad an appearance in san Francisco in August. 'We don't mind road trips,' Cramer said, an attitude that brought the band to Fort Collins early in August. - Collene Enck
September 5, 1986
Copacetic
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
Just another Alarming night
Ronnie Cramer looked hesitant. 'What do you think, are these people going to hate us?' he asked, looking around at the cocktail consumers gathered in the Laughing Dog Saloon. Cramer and the other members of Denver's Alarming Trends were waiting for the band's vocalist Rebecca Watson to arrive.
'I can see people filtering out of here as soon as we start,' drummer Lonnie Ray said. 'We're loud,' he said, although the management had warned them against hitting a high decibel level. Cramer was keeping an eye out for friends who were coming from Denver to see the band's first appearance in Fort Collins, the entertainment Mecca of northern Colorado. Some local fans were also on their way.
By the time the band started, the crowd looked ready for live music, although it had no idea what to expect from Alarming Trends. That was alright though, Alarming Trends didn't know what to expect either. The first song let the crowd know it was listening to a new music band that plays original material. The second song let the band know it was playing for a crowd that had other musical ideas in mind. Enthusiastic calls for ZZ Top and Led Zeppelin were as loud as they were frequent.
'We play a lot of original stuff, but sometimes we sneak in one written by somebody else,' Trends announced, following with an 80s version of Patsy Cline's 'I Fall to Pieces.' The crowd didn't filter out, but they remained unimpressed with Alarming Trends impressive sound. Three weeks later, the band was having a much better evening, playing in a Denver club where its sound is familiar and welcome. It doesn't look much different from the Laughing Dog Saloon, but the crowd prefers Alarming Trends to ZZ Top. - Collene Enck
September 12, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
September 26, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Private Hell
September 26, 1986
College Music Journal
Jackpot!
Alarming Trends Extended Play (cassette)
On the front of Extended Play is a photo of a young people's marching orchestra.
Inside is the music of Alarming Trends - in this case, cover and contents
have nothing in common. The quartet plays dark, driving, at times menacing rock led by
Ronnie Cramer's deep, growling guitar. It's music that hits you as hard in the head
as it does in the gut. The star talent - and we do mean star - in the group is
vocalist Rebecca Watson, who rattles off the words in that sultry but full-of-it tone
that the Waitresses' Patty Donahue wielded so well. A band to watch.
October 31, 1986
Taste of Denver
2217 Welton
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Dimensia Rex
November 1986
Vusic Express Confidential
Alarming Trends Extended Play
A 'Jackpot' pick in the September 26, 1986 CMJ, this band has a lot going for it. First of all there are Rebecca Watson's often blase, throwaway vocals reminiscent of Patty O'Donohue of the Waitresses. She's a singer you'll be hearing a lot from in the future. Next there are the strong songs, written by the group's guitarist, Ronnie Cramer, who pounds unmercifully on his axe throughout the album. And the music? It ain't too bad. As a matter of fact, it's great. Sometimes, it's dark and brooding and makes you want to waste away, but other times, like the super lead off track, 'White Cross,' it's fast and furious; like the soundtrack to a punk surf movie.
November 6, 1986
Real George's Backroom TV
Clifton Park, NY
Alarming Trends' White Cross airs on cable systems in Clifton Park, Schenectady, Troy and Bethlehem
November 19, 1986
Westword
Although Denver sometimes seems like a dead end for original musicians, there are a few exceptions to the rule. Alarming Trends, a band that's been quietly playing the Taste of Denver for the past three years, occasionally releases a video or cassette. College Music Journal heard the band's last release and singled it out for critical acclaim. Yeah, but where do I see them, you ask. Simple: Alarming Trends in concert, 9 p.m., Denver Turnverein, 1570 Clarkson. - Robin Chotzinoff
November 22, 1986
The Turnverein
1570 Clarkson
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Strange Loop (members of Aviators and Alarming Trends)
November 1986
Live
Alarming Trends
You're Always Crying
White Cross
No Promises
Some People
Without You Fine
The Ruin (Michael Benson)
Dancing at Gunpoint
I Fall to Pieces (Harlan Howard)
Fabrications
People Who Died (Jim Carroll)
I Wonder Why
Mangled Nerve Center
White Cross (Reprise)
Music & Lyrics by Ronnie Cramer except as noted
Recorded 11/22/86 at the Turnverein by Steve Gerard
December 1986
KEOL
Eastern Oregon State College
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 6, 1986
The Turnverein
1570 Clarkson
Denver, CO
Musical performance by Alarming Trends
Also on the bill: Flatlanders, Crosstown (all ages show)
December 8, 1986
WDFH-FM
Dobbs Ferry, NY
Alarming Trends added to station playlist (heavy rotation/top five)
December 8, 1986
WNDY
Crawfordsville, IN
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 9, 1986
KCSU-FM
Ft. Collins, CO
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 10, 1986
KMLS
Santa Rosa, CA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 11, 1986
KEOL 91.7 FM
La Grande, OR
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
'Great, thick, throbbing, modern sound with up front drums and excellent guitar treatment.' - Mark K. O'Neill
December 12, 1986
KLBC
Long Beach, CA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 13, 1986
WKDT
West Point, NY
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 13, 1986
WUSB-FM
Stony Brook, NY
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 15, 1986
WWUH
Hartford, CT
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 18, 1986
WSSU
Superior, WI
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 18, 1986
WCAL
Grand Rapids, MI
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 19, 1986
KRUI
Iowa City, IA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 19, 1986
WMTU
Houghton, MI
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 20, 1986
WSFR
Boston, MA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 20, 1986
WSRN
Swarthmore, PA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
'Blistering guitar work!' - Jonathan Kulick
December 22, 1986
KUOI
Moscow, ID
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 22, 1986
KUNI
Iowa Public Radio
Cedar Falls, IA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 22, 1986
KUCR
Riverside, CA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 23, 1986
WIUV 92.3 FM
Castleton, VT
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 24, 1986
WJUL
Lowell, MA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 26, 1986
WORT
Madison, WI
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 27, 1986
KNON
Dallas, TX
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 27, 1986
KSSB
San Bernardino, CA
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
December 28, 1986
Hands-On Recording
530 E. Alameda, Denver, CO
Eight-track recording session:
Out at Night
What Does Your Heart Say
I Fall to Pieces (Harlan Howard)
Oh Jim Jones
Echoes in the Dark (Cramer/Staff)
Without You Fine
Find Someone New
Music and Lyrics by Ronnie Cramer except as noted
Producer: Ronnie Cramer, Engineer: John Burris
December 31, 1986
WROC
Rockville, MD
Alarming Trends added to station playlist
'The Music is great! It's hot! It has us all at WROC rockin' and rollin'!' - David Hagberg
December 1986
College Music Journal
Video Views
Alarming Trends 'White Cross' (Scorched Earth) directed by Ronnie Cramer
You'd never think that a video about a flying fish that decapitates people and a stationary punkish girl spewing out the hook would be as full-bodied as this, but it is. We're not talking sushi, but fish-tossing, and once the fins get on course it's time for a torpedo look-out. These marauders are some of the best things to hit indie video in a long time.