Top Ten Things that Led to Southern California Being the Best in the Early Punk Scene
Yeah I’m being biased…Lol. But really, I’m not completely serious that we were the “best”. New York, Frisco, Detroit, D.C., Boston, Chicago, Seattle and of course The U.K. all had great scenes and all contributed greatly. In actuality, there is no “best”.Middle Class (Orange County) and Black Flag (Los Angeles) are the first two hardcore punk bands.
Our first punk bands were The Weirdos and The Screamers. Both very unique, a bit different and majorly influential to the punk scene throughout. The Weirdos are still going strong putting on GREAT live shows and should be releasing a new album soon.
Punk first originated in mid-70s England with the likes of The Pistols and The Clash. If it wasn't for them, the rest of the world would never have been influenced.
Here’s a few
L.A. - The Weirdos, The Screamers, X, Angry Samoans, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Wasted Youth, The Germs, Fear, The Descendents, The Dickies, The Plugz, Bad Religion, Sin 34, The Dils, Youth Brigade, Redd Kross, Suicidal Tendencies, The Bags, The Skulls, Randy Black and The Metrosquad, The Gun Club, NOFX
O.C. - Social Distortion, Middle Class, Adolescents, T.S.O.L., Agent Orange, D.I., CH3, The Vandals, China White, The Detours, Manic Hispanic, M.I.A.
Oxnard (Nardcore) - R.K.L., Dr. Know, Ill Repute, Aggression, Stalag 13, Habeas Corpus, False Confession, Scared Straight
San Diego - The Zeros, Battalion Of Saints, The Renegades, Cardiac Kids, The Morlocks, Rocket From The Crypt, Heroine
Julie Lanfeld-Keskin (R.I.P.) is the first female hardcore punk vocalist for the band Sin 34 out of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, Orange County, Oxnard (The Valley), and San Diego. And nowadays the East L.A. area and Hollywood are still going strong.
Yes it did. Slamming/moshing was born at The Cuckoo’s Nest in Costa Mesa, California (Orange County).
Out here surfing, skateboarding and punk rock go hand and hand. They both have influence over each other. Punk rock will make people pick up a surf or skateboard and surfing and skating will make you pick up a punk album. Both have that aggressive “just go for it”, full-steam ahead mentality to them. If your from Southern California and skate or surf, odds are you listen to punk rock.
Papa Joe's Rock Emporium & Screen Door Factory in Redondo Beach.