Southern California Scene Report

Home | Releases | Store | On The Rag 'Zine | Current Shows

Punk Photo Gallery | SoCal Scene Report | Links | About | Contact

Southern California Scene Report Spring 2005

By Renae Bryant

The first writing I ever did for MRR was a scene report back in 1995. Slowly I started contributing interviews. Then Tim convinced me I should write a monthly column. Well, as times would have it, I’m back to doing occasional scene reports and interviews. The last scene report was published in 2003. Things change rapidly, so this is an updated version of that scene report. Once again, I am covering the whole Southern California Scene (minus San Diego, because I do not feel that I know enough about that scene and the bands involved). We’re (all or nothing hc) leaving on tour Friday and it always reminds me of how lucky I am to live in an area where I could go to an awesome show any night of the week. As a result of this fact this scene report, once again, will serve as a resource. It will be short on ornate descriptions but full of useful information such as venues, press, bands, radio shows, and record stores. I will include phone numbers and some internet addresses. It is up to you to do internet searches to learn more about the information presented, especially the bands. It is quite probable that I will inadvertently leave someone or something important to the Southern California scene out. For that, I apologize ahead of time. This is quite a task because the IE, LA, and OC scenes could easily have their own reports specific to their areas. If you are from any of these areas I encourage you to do your own scene report.

The Inland Empire: This area includes Corona, Norco, Riverside, San Bernardino, Redlands, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore and Hemet. Venues: The Showcase Theatre (951)340-0988, Shooters Skate Park/Venue (951)766-6789, Schooners (Colton) (951)422-0199, Redlands- www.notpopular.com , Babylon 18+ (951)784-3033 Riverside, Incahoots (951)359-4800, C&C Booking 18+ shows (951)640-5280, Johnny’s 21+ (951)227-6602, rspevents@yahoo.com, Angel’s Sports Bar 21+(951)371-9738, and UC Riverside Campus Events (951)827-1012. Press: www.ontherag.net , www.digressonline.com , www.submerge411.com , X ‘EM UP (www.dorecords.com), Skinnie Magazine, New Reform, One Chance Magazine, Press Enterprise (daily) and Sun Newspaper (daily). Bands: (Mine first) All or Nothing HC , Conspiracy of Thought, Malice of Forethought, Bloods Stands Still, Narcoleptic Youth , Terminal Holocaust, Order of the Fly, Los Infernos, The Impossibles, Castration Anxiety, The Hitchhikers, Last Call, Stem Cell Research, Sick Sense, Leland’s Cactus Ranch, The Bell Rays, Hobo Jazz, Clone Hero, Piano Drag, Dogs of Ire, Circuit Scarecrow, Slave to Freedom, Leonard, Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Phuzz, Johnny Cheapo, Conspiracy of Thought, Beautiful Mistake, Manntis, Red Sound, Obliged, Sinai Beach, etc. Radio: www.kucr.org, thevinylhours@yahoo.com Record stores: Sounds Like (909)343-9333, Dr. Strange Records (909)944-1778 www.drstrange.com , Mad Platter (909)328-1600, and CD World in Riverside. Museum: Fender Museum (951)735-2440.

Los Angeles: This area includes Pomona, Claremont, Hollywood, South Gate, East LA, San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena, Downtown, Los Feliz, Echo Park, the LA Beaches, etc. Venues: The Glasshouse (909)629-0377, Back to the Grind (951)784-0800, The Press (909)625-4808, The Allen Theatre (323)249-9775, Cobalt Café (818)348-3789, Fais Do Do (323)954-8080, Knitting Factory (323)463-0204, Club Cuernavacas (Pasadena) all ages, Spaceland 21+(323)661-4380, CIA Club (818)506-6353, Henry Fonda Theatre (323)464-0808, Mr. T’s Bowl 21+ (323)256-7561, Sacred Grounds (310)514-0800, Trash City Records (323)268-6102, Troubadour (310)276-6168, UCLA Events (310)825-1958, and The Smell [I left out what I consider to be the “pay to play” venues on the Sunset strip.]. Press: It’s All Gravy ‘Zine (gravyzine@hotmail.com or 312 W. 8^th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014), www.destroyall.net , www.razorcake.com www.highwiredaze.com (punk, hardcore, metal), www.citizinemag.com, www.varla.com www.meanstreet.com, www.chordmagazine.com , www.laweekly.com , and www.latimes.com. Bands: The Voids, F-minus , 46 Short, All Out Attack, Bad Samaritans, Pretty in Stereo, Second Chance, Holy Hydraulics, The Last Gang, Midway, Jerra, Lia- Fail, Switchblade Kittens, Deep Eynde, Fatal Riot, Bruise Violet, Hand Grenade Hart, The Skulls, White Trash Debutantes, Ill Repute, Texas Terri and the Stiff Ones, Zen VoudooUnion 13, Western Waste, Naked Aggression, Ciril, Resist and Exist, Total Chaos, The Start, The Weirdos, My Ruin, Miss Derringer, The Willowz, Scarling, The Start, Stay At Home Bomb, Sugarpuss, The Hitch Hikers, Terror, Blue Collar Special, Angel City Outcasts, ADHD, Clit 45, The Fixtures, Armistice, Destruction Made Simple, The God Awfuls, Misguided, Toys That Kill, The Hunns, 400 Blows, Leopold, Go Betty Go, Penis Fly Trap, Piss Ant, etc. Record Stores: Headline Records (323)655-2125, Trash City Records, Amoeba (323)245-6400 [they do in-stores also], Aron’s Records (323)469-4700, Benway (310)396-8898, Rhino (909)626-7774. Radio: KXLU 88.9 (310)338-5958, www.kscradio.com, KPFK (818)985-2711, KSPC 88.7 (909)984-3838. Museums: www.laluzdejesus.com , www.theeroticmuseum.com , Museum of Tolerance (310)553-9036, www.clairobscurgallery.com, www.kantorgallery.com , www.copronason.com .

Orange County: This area includes Costa Mesa, the city of Orange, Yorba Linda, Irvine, OC Beaches, etc. Venues: Chain Reaction (www.allages.com ), House of Blues (714)778-BLUE, The Grove of Anaheim (714)712-2700, Galaxy Theatre (www.galaxytheatre.com), Mexican Cultural Center of Santa Ana, The Anarchy Library (562)434-8292, Di Piazza Restaurant and Lounge (562)498-2461, Taco Beach (Tues. shows-all ages) (562)983-1337, AAA Electra 99Co-op Museum & Gallery (714)666-1805, Gypsy Lounge (949)206-9990, Koo’s Café (562)491-7584, Que Sera (562)599-6170, Doll Hut (714)533-1286, Hard Rock Café (949)640-8844, Alex’s Bar (562)434-8292, and Fitzgerald’s Sports Pub (714)968-4523. Press: www.ocweekly.com and www.skratchmagazine.com . Radio: KUCI 88.9 (714)979-5044. Record Stores: Radiation Records (714)400-0019, Greene Records (714)505-6626, Bionic (714)562-1912 [Fullerton], Bionic (714)828-4225 [Cypress], Bionic (714)846-2585 [Huntington Beach]. Bands: Amerikan Made, The Scarred, Neon Maniacs, El Nada, Blood Stained Hands, Negative Trust, Rising Dissent, TSOL, Ignite, etc.

Okay, once again, I know this was short on band updates and scene gossip. I just wanted to put something together that could be useful for anyone wanting to visit and/or touring bands. I am going to post this on my website as well so if I left out your band, radio show, zine, record store, or venue please send an email to webmistress@ontherag.net and I will add your information. If you need specific information on non-profit organizations or activists feel free email me with your requests. There is some amazing work being done here in Southern California, contrary to popular belief.