Thanks for taking the time to make the site. I had wondered what happened to the zine, couldnt find anything on the net, I had offered Al that I would do a site for Flipside about 6 years ago. He said he was gonna do it, but that never appeared... I gave him his old Commodore 64 BBS software back in the late 80s. Oh the memories. I'm gonna have to dust off my old Flipsides and MR&Rs, and I could kick myself in the nuts for tossing flyers away.

Thanks again,

Hey Michele!

Now that it seems like there's finally some interest in L.A.'s punk rock past from a historical perspective, and not just from rich, foreign "collectors", it's great to see so many books, and websites, etc. now appearing that detail such a great time that it was. Especially from the view of those that were there. One of the reasons Flipside has always been so important.

I wish I hadn't taken so much for granted then, and appreciated the shows I was able to see, more. That's for sure. All the times I left a gig to hang out in a parking lot instead, or got there late and missed all those "sucky" opening local bands that a few years later would become such favorites, (or who ALWAYS were better than those damn british bands they opened for), I had no idea back then.  Thankfully Flipside was always around to document it- and from a fans viewpoint.  Older and wiser, I guess, and with nostalgia kicking in, I have an all new appreciation for how special a time it all was, and how lucky I was to have been a part of it. And even then - I'd missed so much! I was 12 when, hanging around the movie theater, we snuck in and saw the movie, "Urgh A Music War." It changed my life. I'd never heard anything before like the music I heard that day, or had seen anything like the bands I saw- from Wall Of Voodoo, to the DK's. I knew that I'd found something new and exciting, and that this "new" music was for me. Same thing with the Decline, when I saw that soon thereafter. They both exposed me to a world that I knew I was meant to be a part of. And by then in '81-82, I was what, "4th generation" already? I was lucky to have had a friend, who's older sister had been in the scene forever, and was turned on to all the great original L.A. bands, and heard stories about the early shows, and was able to listen to those already hard to find records, and all those great Vex, Starwood, and Masque benefit flyers we could actually see.

I've always hoped that now that it's been 25-30 years, that more will feel like celebrating what a great scene we had here, and will help to preserve it's memory by documenting with the stories, and pictures and details of what it all was really like. Hopefully it will inspire future generations- I know I feel badly for them now. The music world I see that they have currently is by far more corporate, un-imaginative, and boring than even the worst that the rock and disco world was that I was rebelling against from the 70's. That's sad. I know the music I had wasn't just something I listened to- it was a way of life. And still is! Nothing will ever equal for me the thrill it was discovering punk rock- what is was like walking 15 miles to Devonshire Downs to see Bad Religion, my first show... or to ride the RTD bus to get to the Cathay or Hj's Orphanage - and then try to hitch a ride back... or seeing thousands of other punks at the Olympic for 7 bands - for the then outrageous $7.50 or whatever it was we bitched about... it was all life forming, inclusive, exclusive, and even though it may not have seemed so then, the best of times. And thankfully Flipside was there the whole way!

I've also heard many different things about the hows and whys of FLIPSIDE's demise. I've only just assumed that in the same way that punk and what it had become, had lost it's relevance to me, so it did as well for those at Flipside. I moved away for a few years, and returned to find that it was gone... Maybe in a way that's good. Now it'll live forever in your memorial, as it was, and for that world that it documented so well. A few years ago I went to that "Class of '77" Flipside benefit gig at the El Rey, hoping at least to find that it would be given a proper send off...

Anyway, thanks to you Michele, and all the other Flipsiders, for taking the time to put this memorial website together. Best fanzine ever- in the best scene ever!

Michele:

Wow! I've been waiting for this to happen ever since the internet was invented! When I was a little punker kid I started getting Flipsides (81-82) and became obsessed with the HB legend immediately. There was nothing like it over here in eastern Pennsylvania. all that action seemed so rad. And sunny and warm and Californian and oceans and beaches and all. (I used to toy with the idea of pursuing some kind of graduate thesis about the effect of So. Cal. youth culture on east coast youth culture, tying in disparate things like surfing, the Bad News Bears, BMX, skateboarding, hardcore, Vans, slamming, sunshine, lifeguards, beach parties, etc. with east coast youth's takes on such things.

I wouldn't be into most of the things I have been into for the past 20 years if I had never read Flipside and particularly your HB scene reports. when I was a fresh cut jr. varsity punker, I wanted to move to HB so bad. And I was actually angry at my parents for settling in Pennsylvania. (But I soon discovered Philly and DC hardcore so everything turned out more than alright). But anyway, can you imagine how seductive those HB reports and your awesome teenage writing was to landlocked kids in old colonial towns during the snowy dead of winter? I wanted my scene to be just like HB so much. I mean we had to wear long johns under our jeans all the time. So thanks. How about adding the HB reports to the site? You know, I used to reprint them in my zine (Raw Pogo on the Scaffold). Shit, I could go on and on. But I won't. The old photos are so great to see!

Eric de Jesus

Michele,

Thanks so much for the Flipside site. In the late 70's I lived in the sticks of central North Carolina, and my only connection to punk was the occasional copy of Melody Maker and my subscription to Flipside.   A buddy had traveled to L.A. in '78 and brought back tales of punk, and a copy of Flipside Fanzine. I immediately ordered a subscription. I lived vicariously through the letters to the editor, the live reviews, the record reviews, and the photos.

I knew which clubs were closing, which bands were banned, who was mad at who, and what was the latest hottest 45. I followed Rodney's radio show through Flipside although I never heard it. And I never met any of you! I bought all the records by the Germs, Middle Class, Weirdos, Bags, 45 Grave, Adolescents, Agent Orange, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, you name.it. I remember when Darby died, and the black cover issue. I loved Flipside! Hard to believe it's gone, although truthfully I had not read it in many years and didn't even know it had folded until I found your web site. I also read Slash, Search and Destroy, No, and some others, but Flipside was the best. I still have some of the oval stickers with the Flipside logo that you were giving out back then! Good times.... sorry that today's "punks" missed it! (Ha -- too bad). I eventually moved to Washington, DC in '81 and got involved in the whole Minor Threat/SOA/Bad Brains/GIs/Faith, etc. scene. Saw Black Flag and the Circle Jerks on their many east coast tours.

LA was totally responsible for the DC scene! When Teen Idles came back from L.A. in 1979, they taught everyone how to slam dance, and started the whole hardcore thing. In 1977 there was no punk worth mentioning in DC. It really got a kick start, actually, when the Dead Kennedys (I know, SF, but hey...) and Black Flag started coming through DC. The DC scene really exploded in 1980, 3-4 years after L.A. started. Before that time, all the DC stuff was kind of wimpy new wave and older bands that were trying to act punkish. DC punks were not really into the Ramones or the Sex Pistols lineage ... They were much more into Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Motorhead, The Damned, Adolescents, The Cramps, GBH, Discharge, and so forth. When debuted in DC, it was completed sold out with lines around the block like some big concert!

I liked L.A. punk better, to tell you the truth. It was fun! The DC kids were way too serious. But they could rock... Anyway, thanks for listening to my rambling.

Dear Michele,

You've done a terrific job with your Flipside archives, you must REALLY love punk...I can tell, because I know how much work it takes to put up a single page. The gig listing alone must have taken you days and days!

Thanks for sharing your collection and your passion with us.

Best regards,

Greg Velasquez

Hi Michele!

Hope all is well!

My old HS friend (Matt, AKA mrbalihai.com - ed.) (who recently posted the entire FS #1) forwarded your site to me. Wow- what a great site! what a labor! The databases, history of FS, photos, etc. etc. are really well done.

I think it's amazing that anyone would care what FS did in the early days, since we didn't think anyone would care what we did back then anyway.....it always blows my mind....who knew?

Hope all is good-----------!

Write when you can-

X-8

Hello Michele!

Cool stuff! I looked for you awhile back to no avail but ran across the web site. I still have the entire Clash album lyrics you wrote for me! You were instrumental in inspiration to the life path I chose. It would be cool to meet up and I am sure we could share some good stories. You are still a bright light and happy you are not one of so many lost in the haze and rampage of experience. Just wanted to say hello.

Dave Rat

Dear Michele,

Your website is cool as hell. I discovered it thru the Spontaneous Combustion site. I love the fact that there are people who still believe in the cultural aspect of hardcore punk. Let me introduce myself before I go any further. My name is Robert Villanueva. I'm 29 years of age and have been destroying my body well over 16 years with skateboarding and punk rock, as well as other mediums of destruction (heehee).

For years I've had to put up anarchists, activists and others who feel the need to dictate what punk is and what it isn't. The funny thing is when I mention anything about the old L.A./O.C. scene the noses go up. It's hard not to laugh while these fuckers (pardon my language) preach about revolution and unity. They dismiss one of the most influential, relevant, and in my opinion, one the last crucial movements in the past 25yrs. I've met a lot of older punkers who feel the same way I feel. I'm not a big fan of nostalgia. I find this site educational. I'm not collector either. I feel collectors cheapen the true value of whatever it is they're hoarding away. I'm glad you are sharing this information with the world. I'm glad that it's open for contribution. I could tell that you have put a lot of time and effort in this project. School the idiots who want to Stalinize what punk really was! It is in the hearts of those who embrace and cherish its true value and potential (still)!!!

Thanks for this site. I will be checking it out often.

From the City of Chicago,

MG:

I am so glad you decided to do this little tribute site. it is done so well and I got very excited when i started scrolling through it all. just like reading the an OLD flipside magazine :) the way the time line is laid out is spot on.

You don't know me personally, but I went to Costa 1978-82. I am from Manhattan Beach and briefly lived on the north shore of Oahu '77 late '78 and yes I grew up in the water so I was a surfer. I missed the explosion from 77-78 being that I was on a rock in the Pacific Ocean, but was exposed to three bands: the Clash, the Pistols and Devo! - three of my favorite bands to this day. Our little band of punkers hung at "the quad," dead smack in the middle near the cafeteria.

Here are some names Mike Theodore, Chris O'Connor, Che Papke, Kevin Salk, Tom Davis, Becky Tent, Roy and Greg Daily.  I knew Blanket Bill, Frank and Milo from the early days, as well as Mitch Miller and Steve Vargas who were older and turned us on to the whole punk thing. I dated Tiffany Levine! Ha! (Dave Rat's sister - ed.) And Mike Palm married my "ex" and has two girls!(it's a small world! - ed.)

Now I want to briefly talk about the petty punk snubbing at high school and I want to make this very clear to you. Yes we started the whole crossover thing in 1980, or so I, for one, was blonde and blue so I thought hum... I'll crop my hair and go jet black, which I did. We adopted the whole Black Flag thing arrow shirts and jeans and slip ons, Dickies pants what have you, all second hand store stuff. That made mom very happy to buy our (me and my brother) whole wardrobe for under fifty dollars!

This is the thing, I knew of you and the Housdens who were the first punk's I can remember seeing you at school. You were amazing to "look" at from day to day,  change seemed to be a daily thing for you - liberty spikes one day and crazy color the next. I  was very intrigued by you, but you were so stand off-ish I never bothered to try and converse with you. When I came back from Hawaii, I was well aware of racism being the only haole in an Hawaiian school, but never understood the whole stereotype thing with jocks and surfers and whatever else existed.

During that time, sure, I knew all the jocks and for the life of me hated the fact that punks, jocks and surfers had all this stupid animosity towards one another for whatever reason it was. All the jocks I knew became jocks for girls or because they could not learn how to ride a surfboard or a skateboard, hence, this almost jealous attitude was adopted that really created a rift in a lot of good friendships I had with those kinds of folk.

All in our circle of punks went to so may shows, which you documented so nicely on the web site from 79-84. We were fans, mainly, but started bands who went on to bands like Pennywise(sic) and Nip Drivers to name a few. We had a good thing going and those were good times, so no real regrets. We missed some early shows in 1978 or '79, but we were too young at the time.  To wrap this up, I want to thank you for putting all you stuff up for the masses. Dave Stuard talks about you often with stories of H.B. and Duane Peters', S.C.R.O.C., etc. (SCROC AKA: Southern California Regional Occupational Center, in Torrance where I learned how to operate a card punch machine and to solder! - ed.)

I run a group called lessons from the old school and beach punk along with the cat from Modern Industry. Also, if you want, I have some old flyers to scan and some pics as well.

Thanks M. G.

April 1, 2005

Hi Michelle,

I just stumbled across your website. (Quite by accident, coincidentally.) I'm really glad I did. I wrote for Flipside from around 1986 to 1993 or so. I wasn't very prolific, though. Just a handful of interviews and record reviews. I might have still been around when you started your second stint, but I don't recall. At first I wrote under the nom de plume 3-D and later changed it to Dan Druff. I became good friends with KRK" (who was there around the same time I was) and still am.

Not long ago, someone asked me what happened to Flipside. It kinda dawned on me at that moment: I have no idea! I was such a big fan of Flipside starting in 1982. I wrote for the damn thing for several years, yet I had no idea how or why it stopped. I remember noting the fact that I never saw it on newsstands anymore as of a few years ago, but that was all I knew. Shame on me for not keeping in touch with anyone.

Anyway, I really enjoyed your site. Cheers!

Hey... just saw your site.. nice job.

I remember back in 1980, a few friends and I were walking around the pier in HB and we saw you and a few of your friends in your full white face make up, black hair and full punk rock garb. All the sudden there was this huge crowd of hippies and surfers surrounding you guys talking shit and harrassing you. We were just barely into the scene at the time and there was not much we could do but sit there and watch.. but I will always remember that little scene. Anyhow, I have a little site myself you might want to check out.

http://cosmicwaste.com/

I truly believe you could write a screenplay for a movie about the birth of the L.A. music movement. As Stacy Peralta did with skateboarding you can do for the la music scene. I grew up in the Ventura area and made weekly trips to Hollywood and la to see bands play.

Thank you for a great web site to reflect on.

Michele:

I was in the band Eulogy that was interviewed in the first issue of your magazine. Is there a way to get a copy of that? If it is alright, I wanted to post a portion on a website I am doing on that band

Thanks

Very cool site!! I was a baby in the early days (born in '78) but I have a few old Flipsides my friend gave me and they are great! I also used to talk to KRK that worked for Flipside in the late 80's-90's. Cool guy.

Good day

I had a friend who sent me the link to your site and I was impressed. I contributed to Flipside from 1980 to approximately 1984 under the name Karl Markxs and I too lived in Orange County. I went to high school with Tony Brandenburg of the Adolescents, hung out with all the OC folks - especially the North OC people and I am quite sure our paths crossed… well, I know they did - - I just do not know if you would necessarily recognize me. It was so strange to look at some of your photos since they most certainly brought me back twenty years plus!!

The last reference or run in I had with Flipside was 12 years ago when Al and Gus were in Olympia, Washington for the International Pop Underground Festival and we spoke and caught up. I do not play down those days whatsoever - in fact, I think we lived through what was such a great time and so much fun that I have no regrets in any capacity.

I currently live in Seattle (I've also lived in NYC) and have been thinking about moving to Spain. There is a ton of great music here and have lived here since 1988. I just had to write and tell you how impressed I was with your site and the effort you made to have younger people be informed since I'll have 20 year olds asking me, "did you really see the Germs" and questions like that. I always tell them the music they like right now is just as important if not more so.

Best,

Hi Michele,

Back in '97 or so there was a blurb in Flipside about the Necessary Evils/ Countdowns/ LA Times show in Vegas where there was a LEGENDARY bar brawl. Would you be able to forward me the text? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

LE DISQUAIRE BAZOOKA JOE

Michele,

Thanks for the website. It truely is a shame that Flipside can't be found at the local record store or newsstand! I used to really look forward to seeing the new issues. It was my way to see what was going on with the scene in LA and elsewhere. It was on the pulse of not only the punk but, just the underground in general.

Thanks,

I came across your web site today and was totally blown away! I sent the url/link to the rest of the guys in Shattered Faith. It was cool looking back at all the great shows.

Keep up the good work & shoot me an e-mail if ya ever need any help or content.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Michele,

One of my old punk buddies sent me the link to your web site. Very cool, I really enjoyed reading it, brought back a lot of memories. (good and bad!)

I am glad everything is fine with you. You look happy in the picture with your husband. I'm married for 14 years and have an 8 year old son. I teach part time. I will probably soon teach full time once I can afford it. ;-)

I attached some pictures that are about 6 months old.

May 5, 2005

Hi Michele,

I sent you some information a while back about an early edition of Flipside for your website. Your website is looking great by the way. I recently found some old photos from the early '80's. They don't have anything to do with Flipside specifically, but if you want to use them for your website, you are welcome to post them. They have never been published anywhere before.

Your site is great and if I come across any other relics, I will send them to you. I think you used to write alot about OC bands in Flipside, didn't you? I will keep looking for the pictures of Lost Cause, Convicted, among others.

When I stumbled onto your site, I knew right away that it was special. It had so many great aspects to it. The factual- historical chronicle, coupled with a very personal charm. I have never contributed anything to anyone for any reason. I never sent any of the photos that I took to any zines, I just took them for my own entertainment. When I saw your site, I had just been looking through a box of Flipsides and I remembered your column and I just sort of felt compelled to try and help out and add to it with the issue 17 contents, and photos. Although, maybe posting things from contributors would spoil the character of your site. I don't know, that's something you will have to decide.

Bands and clubs are sort of a thing of the past for me and I was never very interested in any of the various reunions or punk rock karaoke type things. I think I'm getting grouchy in my old age.

Best Regards,

Steve Crusinberry

Growing up on it from the early 80's on, I still keep hearing it will come back and then not? Just wondering. Thanks Michele. I dig your site! Keep up the good work!:)

Much regards,

Argh! I've been meaning to drop you a line since Matt Marchese pointed out your Flipside site a couple of months ago. Maybe you remember me from the Exotica mailing list -- I'm not there anymore either. I see you finally got that urban geography degree.

Anyway, compliments on the Flipside site -- you've got some really good documentation accumulating there, especially those live show lists. Good luck on keeping it growing. Along with finally dropping a line, I've finally linked to you, here:

ookworld.com

It does seem that a lot of people from the original punk rock era are posting their stories on the internet. As I keep saying to people, this is a good thing -- the mainstream media is never going to tell the story accurately. If we want our history remembered, we're going to have to write it ourselves. DIY then and now. Whether a bunch of web pages can stand the test of time is another tricky question, but it's better than nothing.

I posted my own little history last year: narthex punk band

The humble story of a little band from a little town north of Philly. Rather different from the California scene, but maybe an interesting perspective. There's a web album also. Hope you enjoy.

take care,

Hi!
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much fun I am having looking at the vintage Flipside pics! Great memories! Oh and also...I am the "unknown girl" on page four...Carolyn Levesque at the time...wife of Agent Orange bassist James Levesque.

It was a great party at the Disneyland Hotel...a couple hours after this picture was taken I remember I was skinny dipping in the waterfall caves with Scott Miller's girlfriend Lisa...(who later became Steve Levesque's wife for one year).

woooohooo!

Dear Michele,

I was a flipside writer during some of the "golden years" and I just want to thank you for putting together such a beautiful sight!

I often wondered why flipside hasn't been on the internet or put out in beautiful leather-bound volumes or something....I also really enjoyed your story, totally brought me back to curfew hassles and all the fun of those times. I hope you print your columns too, they were great to read for those of us who lived far from the beach, almost like a telegraph report. My friend David Jones (Magnolia Thunderpussy) and I always talk about how someday somebody has to do a really comprehensive book or documentary about Hermosa and oh see...the whole world was influenced by what was invented there.

Today, I live in Israel, and its not uncommon to see some kid with bleached hair ambling down the street on a skateboard, listening to super-fast music. Anyway, the site is just great. I am still very proud of having had a run at the greatest magazine in the history of rock and roll.

What a lovely website you got there, I just found it while i was lookin' for some early l.a punk bands, and it kept my staying for a while.

Thank You!

I was just looking up old punk rock stuff here at work instead of working and happened upon your Flipside site...Then I saw in the section about you that you're married to Mike, he probably won't remember me but I interviewed VOA for my fanzine, Thrasher's Digest way back in 1985 when I was 14 years old. I was also working at Mystic Records back then (well, just ditching school and hanging out around the studio doing whatever for them). VOA was also on a compilation tape of mine and a split cassette with Butt Acne (which had Jimmy Alvarado in the band, didn't he write for Flipside for awhile?) that I put out.

I've lost a ot of negatives/photos over the years but I'll look and see if I've got any of VOA that I can send your way, I remember taking photos of them in a cemetery in Glendale and them dropping their pants and all wearing VOA underwear.

Stumbled on your site looking for Flipside--how lucky can a girl get! I was a Goldenvoice aficionado back in the day, I would go to any show that they produced, before they became mainstream & wealthy like they are today. Also hung out at the Cathay de Grande, the Anti Club on Melrose and the Palladium. Are you only looking for Flipside flyers or will just any do...I have a fairly good collection for 83-84 if you're interested.

I just saw Bad Religion at the House of Blues and I had to laugh...most of the audience weren't even sperm when I bought "How Could Hell..." A person could get a real complex!

Michele,

Hello. Wow... did I just have a wild ride down memory lane, really good memories. I was browsing the photos section and almost fell out of my chair when I saw this shot (picture of Jay rocking out in easy chair) I cannot tell you how many nights were spent with Jay, Mary and Mike (the VOA practice pic!), and Mike's friend Gary....that took me awhile.

Hours and hours listening to records with them. I was quite a bit younger than they were. Probably from like 81ish to 85, I spent a lot of time with them.Got exposed to a lof great music by them all. Enjoyed the pix of the Humpers too....... Founder Jeff Fieldhouse and I are good friends. He has a great band in Portland, 8 Foot Tender.

I moved from Glendale in 1986 and have spent most of my years living in San Francisco. I lived in Silverlake behind Spaceland from 94 to 97 on the same property as Kateri Butler and Brendan Mullen. Then back to SF. Please say hi to all these folks. I hope everyone is healthy and alive. I fell out of touch after moving away…. Here's a recent shot of me a few weeks ago playing bass in the Sermon, a band I'm in up here on Alternative Tentacles. We're playing the El Cid in Silverlake on Friday 9/09/05.

That's it. Thanks again for the website.

hey michele,

It's Steve Soto from The Adolescents.

I just came across your flipside site ... very cool. How have you been ... good I hope. I just wanted to tell you the site was cool.

I'm out on tour with the adolescents right now. We are in florida still doing it all these years later anyway just wanted to say hello.

I just finished browsing your photo collection and saw X-Head. I completely forgot about that guy's existence until I saw your photo collection. I never met him...just only him in "Decline" and always figured a guy like that to....ummm... meet an untimely end. Do you know the status of X-Head?

Thanks for whatever info you can provide.

Kyle

HI Michele

I’ve been enjoying your website forever…. It helps me verify dates and stuff when my memory fails AND you’ve kept everything! That’s amazing.

Today, I linked to your site from mine --- punk turns 30

Just wanted to give you a heads up and invite you to check out my site as well. My site is where I’m parading my old photos. Of course, I have to blow up and scan them which takes forever…. So I go through periods of repetition or I use new pictures of old folks….

Anyway…. Just wanted to say HI and let you know how much I appreciate what you have created.

Theresa Kereakes
(from Lobotomy!!)

Dear Michele,

I just stumbled upon the Flipside Fanzine Memorial page for the first time and I'm very happy that you have it up! I'm only 23, so I didn't get too into the zine until the mid-90s, but it was definitely my favorite and no other print punk zine can hold a candle to it today. The videozine had a huge impact on my interest in video making. Check out my website sometime:

Rockin Bones

I made a series akin to it here in Texas.

Hi,

I just came across this site by accident-wow. It brings back a ton of memories. Even though for a lot of it I was either too young or didn’t have the cash to get to Hollywood to see some of it. I used to see Black Flag at the Dancing Waters a lot and TSOL whenever they played local- Long Beach, which was quite often. I still have some of the old Flipsides and flyers from back then. Anyway thanks for the memories.

Keep up the good work.

Liked the site..... Jack tsol

Dear Michele,

I'm writing a senior thesis on the ethics of punk rock (particularly the DC scene, but also the scenes that gave rise to that culture). I've been searching for some kind of archives for Flipside Fanzine on the web, but have been unable to locate anything. I was wondering if you knew of anywhere that I could find archives of Flipside since it seems to be the definitive resource for any project dealing with punk rock. Any information on where to go or who to talk to would be appreciated. Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Phil Hokenson

I’m looking for footage of the infamous Exploited Riot of Huntington Park. I read that it might be in a flipside video – is this true? I received my first police beating at that show & still have the lump and scar on my head to prove it!! (nothing like the bad ole days) Anyway, I thought it might be interesting to have, if it exists. Let me know what you know. Remember – Punk’s not Dead…. just getting old.

Thanx!

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I grew up in Long Beach and use to pick up my copy of Flipside at Zed Records before heading over to Fenders Ballroom. I’m really glad you added the link where people can communicate, buy, trade, and sell stuff. You’re right there is stuff on Ebay …but not a lot.

Thanks again for such a wonderful site,

Your website is really great. As I´m very interested in the early L.A. scene, it delivers great information for me. Along with the reviews of the gigs on the "punk information directory" site, one can clearly see what happened in L.A. in the 1970s.

Your work is very much appreciated.

Oh My God.

I'm prepping for an article on early punk-wave scene drummers for DRUM! magazine. I stumbled onto your site, and your DATABASE.

what do I owe you besides EVERYTHING!!

This is my job and I was assigned the piece, but coincidentally I was there, too, at some of those gigs. And it's so GREAT to see this shit.

You rock.

ping me back if you get a chance.

John Nyman

November 29, 2005

Hi Michelle Flipside,

Just wanted to take a minute to thank you for putting your site up, I've really enjoyed looking through it recently. I've been taking an interest in "old school" West Coast punk/pop the past few years, and have developed a real appreciation for it. I've checked out some of the books that have come out ("We Got The Neutron Bomb", etc.), picked up some comps (Dangerhouse, Rhino, etc.) and truly feel as if I missed out being born too late (I'm 32) and, more importantly, born on the wrong coast (I grew up here in Connecticut, where I still reside). About 6 months ago I picked up a batch of about 2 dozen vintage L.A. fanzines at a record convention, and got my first look at classic FLIPSIDE (I was familiar with the mag from the late '80s/early '90s). Really fascinating to read about the scene as it happened. I did a web search to see if there was an archive of issues or something and thats how I found your site (Google's existence has been justified!).

The reason I began to get into it is because of the band The Last. I've been a big fan of theirs since their late '80s SST period. Never got into the older stuff until a couple years back when "L.A. Explosion!" got the remastered,deluxe cd treatment. I then found their website and message board, where I've been posting ever since. I noticed your bio page with a pic of David Nolte.

You may interested to know that your old friend David posts on the forum when he gets the chance (he is currently on tour as part of popular musician DAVID GRAY's backing band). Joe and Mike post there all the time (the site is run by brother Dan). I read your tale of your mother confiscating your diary of the old days. That sucks, but you might wanna head over to the Last board and check out Joe's wonderful 1979 journals which he has posted at:

Joe's Journal Entry Info at dannolte.com

He wrote extensively about the infamous Elk's Lodge riot, living in The Church, recording "L.A. Explosion!", frequently talks about people you mention in your bio page (Marz, Janet Housden, etc.). You should read through them, I'm sure they will bring back vivid memories for you.

The Last are still around by the way. The current line up is Joe, Mike, Bill Stevenson and Karl Alvarez (from Descendents/ALL) and Luke Lohnes (guitarist since the 1988 version of the group). They recorded a new album and it is amazing. They are trying to get a proper label to release it now.

Don't know if you are aware but the early '80s ("Paisley Underground" era) incarnation of The Last reformed for a one off show at The Echo in Silverlake this past September. I flew out there for a week and it was awesome! Even stayed with Joe and his wife for a day, had the time of my life. Its all detailed on the board. Vitus Matare and John Frank now post as well, with lots of great stories of "the old days". In fact Vitus just sent me a stash of great vintage Last flyers, I'd be happy to scan some for inclusion in your site if you'd like.

Anyway, just wanted to say I found your site really informative regarding the genesis of FLIPSIDE and what it stood for back then. Hopefully it will give the mag the historical recognition it deserves. And stop by The Last board and say hi!

Sincerely,

Tom

(Although this is a more personal letter, it gives so much valuable information, I felt it needed to be posted. I thanked Tom for writing. I had viewed Joe Nolte's diary postings, as I had happened to come across them on my own while searching for flyer dates for the gig database. Anyone who wants some real insight on those old days with the Church, etc should definitely read his heartfelt memoriors posted at his brother's website. - ed.)

December 5, 2005

Hello, and I'm happy to hear you are doing well. Where did you see the hated early records going for $100.00/each, as I need a good laugh. I have several of each.

I NOW OWN A MUSTANG RESTORATION AND VINTAGE CAR SHOP IN LA HABRA, CA. MUCH MUCH WORK, IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER BEING A ROCK STAR. HA HA

KEEP IN TOUCH,

STEVE REAL

Jack is a member of MySpace and is inviting you to join.

Jack Says:

Thought you might like this place...if your not already here... A Lot of "old scenesters here, like Jack of TSOL/Vicious Circle, etc. etc... on my space (look under Abraham Birch).

RE: Jack, TSOL

Now he's "Judy Battenfield"

- Jack Galbraith

I wanted to thank you for putting up this site it is truly amazing. My uncle told me about the site and i wasn't able to find it but finaly did through Alice Bag's site. The pictures and show flyers are great and so is the documentation of the first 40 or so issues of Flipside. Over all the site is amazing.

Once again thanks,

Sincerly, Mark Reyes

January 5, 2006

Dear Michele,

It certainly is a pleasant surprise to have found your site. I think of Flipside often, for better or worse, and have really enjoyed revisiting the paraphernalia, sights, and sounds you depict.

I was Dean Ded, enlisted according to Al for the third issue (although I seem to recall working on the second issue, but my memory is likely defective). I stuck around for just a handful of issues. In any case, much of the excitement you convey reflects the palpable vibe at the time. I had a blast working with X-8, Steve (Larry), Al, Pooch (whom I knew from pre-FS days while I worked at the Whittier Public Library, a frequent stop for him), and Tory (George). Much remains to be recounted of the scene--even of its outcroppings in Whittier, where I seem to recall encountering Alice Bag and Nicky Beat thrift store shopping one weekend--and I hope your site prompts the work.

I have to make a sad confession. By the late '80s, perhaps the early '90s, I had tired of rock (only temporarily, evidently, as I have begun to pay more attention to it), and so I purged my record collection...and tossed all of my Flipside and LA punk stuff, including many of the early Slash issues. I don't regret the occasional therapeutic weeding of stuff, but I do regret having disposed of these materials without handing them to somebody who might have preserved them.

I was one of the Twits, whose show at the Masque you list, and also a member of M, the first Flipside recording "artist." (We made the record in my garage on a rainy Whittier day. I was particularly disappointed that Alex Ferguson, who was staying with FS photographer Pete Lanswick, did not after all show up to give the record some cachet.) As the Twits, we played the Rock Corporation in Van Nuys, where Rodney Bingenheimer, prompted by X-8, introduced us as "the ultimate in embarrassment rock." There could be no higher praise. I have more stories of this kind, nothing earth-shattering, but interesting anecdotes for those who remember or care.

Anyway, if you're in touch with the guys, say hello for me. I correspond from time to time with X-8, but I last ran into Pooch in Glendale about a decade ago, and Al at Poo-Bah in Pasadena even longer ago than that. Ironically, I lived in Whittier before moving to the Berkeley area up through 2001, yet I don't recall ever seeing Steve, who ran a music store uptown, where I lived and worked! I'd be happy to recount more of these reminiscences, if you like, but keep in mind the caveat that my memory very likely plays tricks on me.

Take care,

Dean C. Rowan
Albany, California

January 20, 2006

Hey Michele,

I just recently found your site, and it's led me to some very exciting discoveries regarding my own Punk Past. I was thrilled to see Flipside memorialized.

I'm 'Johnny Bubblegum', Toronto correspondent from 1978 - 1980 or so. My singer's picture is across the page from Sid Vicious in issue #13.

Please drop me a line, and if you could provide an email for Al, I'd love to say hi to him again. I didn't keep in touch, but I'd love to send him a CD of my later bands.

Cheers,

January 25, 2006

Jack (TSOL) changes his name(as usual) on myspace all the time, he's on my top 8 list, so you can usually guess which one is him. Sometimes he has his Jack for Gov. pic up.

- Jack Galbraith

Well, know that I've had some time to peruse this site - Wow!

Thank you for putting this together. It is good to remember the places we've been to, and through, and those who shared the early days (only days, really) of the hugely powerful never to be duplicated life and planet changing phenomenon that was punk rock. I hope my son grows up and experiences something as real. Right now it does not exist. Kids today in punk rock gear - borrring. Hey kid, invent your own thing. Once again the world as slipped into the miasma of consumerism and idolatry.

I case you did not know, on your second photo page the shot with Mike Ness, Mike is performing a marriage ceremony. He is marrying Kori and I. Helen was the best man and if I remember correctly the ring was a shrinky dink. And then we smashed up some more of Al's furniture, drank more, and I puked out of the car window driving home down the freeway through Hollywood. Ahh, youth.

Thanks again, and say hola to your old friend Elizabeth (Sissy) for me.

Michele, How the hell are you?

Yeah I was kregg's girlfriend and Kathy Page told me you wanted to interview her once and you interviewed Chris Mehess lol on the HB scene and in that issue he said he remembered me as the first punk in HB. I use to hang out with Darby .. and Lorna and Rick Fritch and Boz and Chris Martin and the lot ...

March 19, 2006

Michele,

I was an avid reader of Flipside from 1985 to 1997. I guess I stopped reading because of partly because of the internet, partly because of changes in my life. I got married, finished school and moved to the country. Still, I would pick up a zine and it just seemed that Flipside faded away. I had made a lot of friends through their classified. I had 15 penpals and I had even become lovers with a couple of them. Others, such as writers Tim Stegall and Killjoy had become friends. I lost contact with both of them. But I guess people fall out of contact. Last I heard from Tim was from an email, he called me stupid or something like that. He was always a loose cannon, and Killjoy? Well she got caught up in life and I did too.

Well Flipiside was my favourite because while it was left-leaning, it was devoid of the dogma that was so much part of Maximum Rock-N-Roll and the Gilman Scene. I just liked the music and Flipside seemed to be about a group of people who loved and lived the music and were not so much into the fashion. Really all I needed was a Motorcycle Jacket, Boots, Pair of Jeans and T-Shirt of The Ramones. Now people buy their punk gear at the mall such as Hot Topic. If Punk wasn't dead? it surely is now. Sure I hear bands that catch my ear every so often, but as much as I like music, I sure as don't get what they punk. goth or that shit call emo. Never mind Hip-hop. I never liked MTV and I hate it even more now. Fuse plays videos, but music just sucks. There is good music out there, but then again any revolution does not happen from MTV or mass media, It happens underground and rises to the surface. Street Cred is hard to come by and the kids in the know can tell a real from a fake.

I am not one of these old-timers who dismisses anything new. I like The Strokes (though they are not punk and I still like them even though Tim Stegall called me stupid for liking them), The White Stripes, Dresden Dolls, Bright Eyes, The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys. The next Nirvana wont sound like Nirvana. I loved Nirvana.

For instance the other night I heard Gang of Four's "At Home He's a Tourist" on college radio and it still sounded radical and fresh and that was 1979. I don' t think any band could sound like that and any attempt to try and copy it would sound hollow. The same goes for tattoos and piercings, all these kids trying to be shocking, well it has lost its shock value to me. I know it is attitudes like this that get me labelled an old man who does not get it. I hope the kids come up with something unique. Even hip-hop has lost its edge, the gangsta shit is cliched just as punk and goth are cliched.

Donny The Punk died 10 years ago and it was from AIDS. But to me I am glad I got to meet people like Donny The Punk, Through Stephan of the False Prophets I got to meet Allen Ginsburg, Tuli Kufenberg of The Fugs and learned things that I never learned in school. I am glad I grew up in the city and I had a community to go to. I feel bad for these kids, all they have is the mall and thats sad. There seems to be more restrictions on youth now and thats even sadder.

With all the instant access and email, there was something thrilling about getting a mixtape or a written letter from a pen-pal something that is lost today with email and downloading. I had an ex-lover tell me when lamenting about how bad things have gotten to stop living in the past and let things change already. Man that pissed me off and really struck me as ignorant. This was some that called herself Goth and listened to Korn. To me Goth were Damned, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, Psi-Com and Joy Division. Not Korn or Marilyn Manson. What do I know? I am an old fart. All my heroes are dead The Ramones or have sold out their music to commericals. People keep dying, Donny The Punk and Tim Yohannon amongst many others. Even if I disagreed with Tim, he meant well.

You can publish my email too, because I do want to hear from some of those old friends again. I know I can't go back but I want to stay in touch all and I view it as an opportunity to regain connections.

Anyway thanks for the website and keeping alive the memories of what was real punk.

Thank You

John Stewart (not The Daily Show host)

email John here

March 27, 2006

hi Michelle,

Been too long. Just happened across your Flipsidefanzine.com website after a randomn search..glad to see an attempt to document the history of the Flipside Empire. What an era it was! It's all a blur to me now...it seems surreal to reflect back on the Whittier and Long Beach days of Stf, Krk, Al, Gus, etc..

I see Gus around at shows sometimes, and still hang out with Bob Cantu a lot. I'm still in touch with Blaze a bit, too..the recent passing of Ken All Nite Rocker was a heartbreaker. I commented at his funeral how much Flipside meant to him.

I quit the music biz and label cold turkey and have never been happier! It's all about satellite radio now!

Best,

Michele

I was checking out the site, very cool btw. back in "the" day I used to correspond with Al and eventually amassed a small collection of the early issues of flipside. I never did get them all but I would be willing to go through the archive and see what I have. I also may have a few photos that Al sent me for use in Modern World, my fanzine.

Also I am pretty sure I have multiple copies of the Black Cover "Darby Crash Memorial" issue. Such as it was, I was the local flipside distributor.

Al did several LA Punk reports for me and was very supportive of me, the magazine and my old band, Butchwax. I am still trying to find the time to get the Modern World online. Issue #1 & #2 are available currently.

April 23, 2006

Michele,

Pete (beat lano) here. I dig your tribute to flopside. All the good stuff to read and try to remember. That was a long time ago and much has changed. Keep up the work and thanks.

Michele -

I just found you Flipside website browsing the web. I wanted to thank you for preserving your magazine's stuff on-line! It seems like a gazillion years ago now, and it probably is, but, wow, was that a whole lot of fun.

I'm a former devoted reader from the early (but not the real early, more like around the era of the Urgh shows) days,

Kevin A. Vaillancourt
aka Scott Towels

June 7, 2006

Hi Michele,

I'm not sure we ever met, but I wrote for FS for a few years and think Al is one of the greatest guys I've ever met. Thanks for putting up the site, esp. the photos - lots of great memories. It looks like a lot of time and effort went into it.

And please give Al my best the next time you speak to him.

June 25, 2006

hello, michelle -

I discovered your site last year and have been meaning to write. I'm glad there's a site -- I've often wondered what's happened to Al, etc. -- and it was good of you to put the time and work into it. I used to know Al, Holly, X8, Gerard, etc. (in fact, I think the first time D and I went to the Masque it was with Al, X8 and Gerard) and had contributed to two or three flipside issues - don't have them in front of me now but I think it was around the time of issue #14 or so. I stopped going out to see bands so much, pretty much around the time they started a lot of shows at The Starwood.

Thanks for taking the time, and I hope i get to meet you in person sometime (I live in nyc now).

Hilda

(Now all we need is for Flipsider Helen to write in. WHERE IS HELEN?! THIS IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. HAS ANYONE TALKED TO HELEN IN THE PAST 15 YEARS AND CAN LET US KNOW OF HER STATUS OR HOW TO GET A HOLD OF HER? - ed.)

June 28, 2006

Hello Michele,

Oh man those were the days... thanx for putting your site together. I'm gonna give it a good looksee a bit later...

July 3, 2006

Hi Michele:

I recently visited your Flipside page, and was very impressed. It's great that whatever remains of the zine has found a spot on the web.

Anyway, am one of the original five that started the zine back in Whittier in 1977. Not long after the third or fourth issue, I went to cal arts and left the magazine. I went to school with Larry, and X-8. we were in the same graduating class. Thanks to Mr. Bali Hai, I have kept in touch with both of them, and I intend on contacting Pooch as well. What I would really appreciate is contact info for AL. I saw him back in the late 80s. I ran into him in Whittier, and he invited me back to his place and gave me a copy of the 10th anniversary issue. It was nice catching up with him then.

Incidentally, I teach a course on American Rock n Roll (I'm a Music professor at Lafayette College, a small eastern liberal arts college), and Flipside makes a regular appearance (as does Decline of Western Civilization) in my syllabus, so Flipside lives on in academia as well. In fact, there is a scholarly article waiting to be written on LA Fanzines of the 70s and 80s.

July 16, 2006

Hi,

Flipside 21 had an initial press run of 10,000 followed by at least another run of 10,000.

# 28 Press run of 20,000

# 35 only had a run of 10,000

In 1990 I cannibalized the original artwork for these 3 issues and re-used the art for various singles released by Posh Boy in 1990 and 1991.

You list the "Stingers" as being interviewed in that issue. Is that a mix up or am I spacing out as that name does not mean anything to me?

Take care,

Robbie
(Posh Boy)

Hello,

You have the best photo’s really good stuff. I grew in Huntington Beach. I like them a lot. Have a good day.

Thank you,

Dear Michelle,

I recently learned happened across your web site and was really blown away with your work. Really passionate.

I am curious to know if you removed some of the flyers from the pages 1980-1984, it seemed that you had more of them up about a month back. Am I just imagining this, or did you take some down?

When you get a second, please let me know.

It's funny because I met my girlfriend/fiancé one night in late '81 while my band was playing at the Cathay de Grande. We were in the middle of our last set when she walked into the club. I wanted to stop playing and pull her into a corner and steal her away. As it turns out she came by to say hello to a guy who always came hear us play, so when the set ended I walked over to her, she wanted a ride home and that was the beginning of that wild ride. We were together for the better part of the next eight years. Most people don't remember that club, but the one's who were there know the rest of the story.

Thanks again for your work.

Peace~

Dear Michele,

Big fan of your web site, but what happened to the link to the flyers? Under construction? Shoot! I teach a class in cultural studies and use your website to turn kids onto the important stuff that was going on in L.A. during the mid 60's through the early 80's. The visual, artistic and style of clothing really brings it into focus. I was there when it all went down. Traveled back and forth: west coast/east coast. All the great shows. Another time and place.

Please let me know when you'll have it all up and going, you really have a tough web site. All the students love it. I have a class full of kids with Ipods full of classic punk records.

Thanks much,

Hi Michele, Wow, what a great site. I really enjoyed reading your testimony. I would love to see more pics, especially more of the HB and OC ones. I was the lead guitarist for Doggy Style and we were on the Flipside label. I remember hanging with Al, joy, gus etc... What happened to flipside and Al?

Thanks much,

Ed Caudill

October 28, 2006

Hi,

It's Rocco (aka John Galloway of 8 Ball Skates) up here in Hippie Town (Eugene, Oregon). Thank you for making a genuine effort to give Flipside and its fans a place on the web.

Like most long time readers I was pretty bummed when it finally ended. I was equally bummed when you stepped down in the late '90's. I met with Todd Taylor a few times in the end but despite the best efforts of Razorcake, having no Flipside has left a small hole in my DIY heart. (Maybe that's why I was able to finally settle down, get back to school, become a regular citizen Ha!)

For the handful of us desert punks (Palo Verde HS Blythe, CA class of 1985), Flipside was the world to us. When I finally hit the road, I knew I had moved to a good town if they had a mom and pop record shop that carried Flipside. From the southwest, to the midwest, east coast, and now here in the Pac NW....Flipside was there.

Michele, thanks again. It made my day to find your new home on the web. Your bright eyes continue to show us the way.

November 27, 2006

Hi,

Wasting away at work, I routinely surf the web to pass time. Today, I just happened to wonder what ever happened to "flipside" magazine, and I found your site. I wasn't in a band or anything more involved than just a "fan". My first show was when I was 14, I think it was late '82. Anyways, I went to shows religiously from late '82 to about '85/'86. I've always wanted to do something like this for the San Diego scene (we used to call SD "slow-death" back then). I have so many flyers from shows that I have forgotten or I can't remember the details. And the people that I went to shows with, they are starting to disappear. I want to record what I can while a few of the old crew are still around.

Anyways, your site gives my inspiration. I hope I can do something similar in the future.

In San Diego, there were only a few places to see punk shows regularly: Adams Ave Theatre, Fairmont Hall, Wabash Hall, The Backdoor (SDSU), and a few non-regular places like the 517 Club, Golden Hall, Skating Rinks, etc....A tad before my time, there was the Skeleton Club, Zebra Club, Lions Hall, etc...

Most of the shows I went to were promoted by Tim Maze (I think he spells his name Tim Mays nowadays - he runs the Casbah locally). Before my time, I think most shows were promoted by DOA productions.

Anyways, I noticed a flyer on your site that was not dated: Misfits, Necros, Skullbusters @ Lion's Club in North Park, San Diego. I have a different flyer from the same show so I will check to see if there are any dates on it (I have to do a lot of digging in the attic to find my scrap-book). This is from a show that was a tad before my time and the flyer was given to me by my friend who sang for the "Skullbusters". At the latest, this show happened in 1982 (but could '80/'81).

Don't know how long it will take but I will try and get more info for you asap. Also, I will try to provide you with anything interesting that I end up finding (it'll be from the SD scene though). I have stacks of flyers and I know I kept most of my copies of Flipsides, Maximum R&R, and some Slash.

Again, I was just a "fan" and nothing more. But, knowing how hard it is to find people/info from that era, I thought I'd give you my 2 cents worth (and hopefully more).

Regards,

November 28, 2006

Michele,

I'm an East Coast kid who always had California dreams...and I f'ing miss 'Flipside', that's for sure...anyway, just wanted to tell you that the website brought back great memories, and tears to my eyes... bless you girl, carry on and I hope we can meet/chat/interview one day.

All the best,

January 10, 2007

Hi Michele,

I just wanted to let you know how much fun I have been having searching through the website. You have done a great job of giving a face to the SoCal punk rock scene. I actually lived and grew up in the Inland Empire, so while we had to drive west for the bigger shows, we had a great scene going on as well. Of course some of the best memories are the crazy nights at The Olympic or Fenders. We still did alright out in the IE. And of course it took me moving to San Diego 20 years ago to finally get shows like the Wasted Tour and the Inland Invasion to get the great punk bands to Berdoo!

Anyway I wanted to offer you my flyer collection. As I have been looking at some of the flyers on the site I notice that I have tons more that are not posted. Most of mine would fill in that 1984-1987 time period. So while that reflects the tail end of the scene we still had plenty of great shows. A couple that come to mind would be the Toy Dolls at Fenders and of course the International Shows at The Olympic. Out in the IE we had bands like Fighting Cause, BYOD, Justice League, Pilsbury Hardcore, Threat, POW and others that put on some great shows as well. Anyway, what is the best way to get them to you? Thanks and keep up the good work!

Jay Lopez

January 5, 2007

Hi Michele,

do u want me to send u pictures of my old flyers individually and i have a few old flipside magizines that i think are from 82 i have old public image posters i also have a picture of darby crash the day he died is there any back issues that i can buy i have the original paper that mike ness wrote hour of anger on, its the rough copy where he crossed out and changed the words from 1979 to 1988 i was very close friends with mike and i would like to get him that copy of hour of anger back to him if you would like pics of anything for your site just send me an email

Anthony Rainone

January 31, 2007

Hey Michele:

I love the Flipside archive!

I grew up in the south bay in the late 70's (I'm 38 now). My father and grandfather were both music teachers at Mira Costa High School. I went to Pennikamp elementary which was down the street and I used to hang out in my Dad's office there all the time.

Bill Stevenson (Descendents) was a student of my father's and grandfathers. I was just wondering if you ever had either of them for classes? They (my dad and grandfather) also taught english, music appreciation, history, etc.

Anyway, I'm a longtime fan and grew up reading Flipside religiously as a kid. I'm still involved in music and I wanted to thank you for creating the website stuff.

Hit me back if you have any Mira Costa stories or stories about my grandpa or Dad (Mr. Power and Mr. Power - ha).

Peace,

February 7, 2007

Hey, Michele:

Thank you for this website. It's bringing back so many memories! I was in the scene back in the day, and I remember bussing it to Zed's in Long Beach to pick up the latest Flipside.

I was 14 in '79 when I was "asked to leave" my Lakewood home and went to bunk at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Huntington Beach. I ended up at Edison for one of my 9th grade semesters. That was where I discovered punk. I didn't cut my hair until I went back to Lakewood, but it was enough exposure to change my life. Up until then, I was a diehard Zep/Nugent/Aerosmith skater/stoner girl. It's a trip to think that just opening yourself to new music was enough to cause you to become a "traitor" and cast out from your previous friends.

By 10th grade at Lakewood High, I was one of the only punks in the school (I remember Ch3 playing our quad at lunch that year, what a weird scene that was). By 11th grade, I had dropped out because hanging out in Hollywood and not getting home from Oki Dog's until 5am was cutting into my school time. I went to shows, parties, etc. almost every night from about '81 to late '83. I don't know why it happened, but in '83 it seemed that everything just went to shit. By the time the Fender's crap was getting ugly in '84, I was ready to get out of the scene. It just wasn't fun anymore.

I still listen to a lot of the music from back then, and I think it's amazing how great it sounds. I love the flyers-it takes me right back to those shows. I loved the crappy places we called "home" - Godzilla's (and hanging out by the railroad track); Dancing Waters (when they had the $2.00 Tuesday night shows-and the Barn on $2.00 Wednesdays-remember the Samoan bouncers?); the Cathay; Oki Dogs; Zed's; Middle Earth; parties that were broken up before the band finished their first song; etc...

Cool times and cool people. Too sad that so many have gone before their time. Anyways, thanks for taking the time and effort to make this site, I'm sure I'll spend many hours checking it out and remembering....

February 23, 2007,

Hi Michele,

Thanks for doing the database... Here's some additions:

I was at and recorded (audio not video) this show. Don't know why you put cancelled. Below is who played.

Kim Fowley Presents: Wildcats, The Dils, Backstage Pass - Whisky, June 22, 1977 (cancelled)

Dils, Low Budget, Larry Lazar, Weirdos and Rage (Larry Lazar and Rage were not punk)

As to the unidentified date of that Suicidal Tendencies flyer.. it's 1984

Probably tomorrow I will send you a list of all of the Angry Samoans gigs from 1978+79. I won't include the shows done at the Mabuhay in SF.

Thanks,

March 1, 2007,

Hello!

I was wondering if you could help me. I am a third year student form the University of Exeter in the UK and i am currently writing an essay on the Straight Edge movement.

I have been trying to get hold of the August 1982 Issue 34 of your fanzine as it has an interview with minor threat in it. Do you know where i will be able to get a copy, or is it possible that you send me a copy?

Thank you very much.

Helen Turton

(Note: This is just an example of the many letters I've received from people doing serious scholarly research papers on the history of punk rock. It is just amazing that all this research is being done! I try to help as many as I can, but since I don't have a complete archive here, I often have to turn people away.)

March 21, 2007

Hi

I'm Charlotte, I'm 18 years old and I live in Belgium. I'm in my senior year and it is a custom in Belgium that you write a big paper in your last year, kind of a thesis. It's really important and you can choose your own subject.

I chose to compare the futursit movement of the twentieth century to the punk movement of the late seventies and eighties. I will also try to prove that there are a lot of prejudices towards the punk movement and that media misrepresentation is the major cause.

I've been looking for an article where it states that punks are being falsly accused for commiting a crime or being arrested without a reason due to this prejudices. Craig Lee, the author of 'The philosophy of punk' said in his book that this happend quite frequently but he doesn't give any examples.

So I hoped maybe you could help me in my search. It would mean a lot to me

Thank you

January 14, 2008

Hi,

I discovered your site tonight while researching a show I attended on Aug. 11, 1979 at the Hollywood Palladium. It was a well promoted show called New Wave '79 with a long band line-up. I am sure it included Naughty Sweeties, 20/20, Kats or New Kats, and I think Zippers and others I was attempting to find. I still have the ticket. There was no seating that night, just alot of Punkers slam dancing and running around. The only safe spot was in the lobby where you could actually talk to someone within an inch of their ear. Great fun. 

Thornhill