Of note, Alan Nolan aka Alan Oliver of Piper and later playing with Falcon Eddy and The Smart Pills (as Git Smart) co-wrote two songs on the album “Sweet Danger” and “Wild One” with Rich prior to Nolan’s joining Piper. Rich had initially asked Nolan to play guitar in the Aliens in the fall of 1975 when they shared a flat on Nagel Avenue and 200th Street, but Nolan declined when he received an offer from Piper. Conrad replaced Nolan in the Aliens after the two met one night at Max’s Kansas City and Nolan introduced Conrad to Rich.
The Aliens played and were a part of New York’s underground glam and early punk rock scene during the mid-1970’s. The Aliens original influences came from early Glam rock artists, such as the New York Dolls, Wayne County and David Bowie. However, the Aliens were also heavily influenced by Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, MC5 and the Rolling Stones. While playing regularly in New York’s Max’s Kansas City, CBGB’s and Club 82 amidst such contemporaries as the Ramones, the Heartbreakers, Wayne County, Talking Heads, Television, Blondie, the Cramps, the Dictators, Suicide, Mink Deville and many others, the Aliens music reflected the glam and early New York punk rock sound and lifestyle.
The Aliens sound was rough and energetic, but also displayed a level of musicianship reminiscent of their early influences. Richie Rich, more of a poet than a singer captured the New York life style of struggling artists in such songs as Manhattan Manhunt, Sweet Danger and the Wild One. Riche’s vocals and Conrad’s musical style clearly demonstrate the early transition from glam to punk in NYC during the mid-1970’s. The Aliens, while never making that immortal leap to vinyl, were part of the sounds and styles comprising the now legendary Max’s Kansas City and CBGB’s during that truly influential period of underground punk rock music.