Punk Rock Violence At Sunset Strip's Key Club During TSOL Show

Rickybecerril13

I am and always will be punk. This is just another case of promoters going to far. The kids paid money for a show and they didn't get it. But the promoter got paid right. Sure it got out of hand on all parts, but that's no reason to ban events. JUST THINK .

mike

That shit got down. Up the punks!

pist anarchist

if someone gets into a fight leave them the fuck alone uness the fight is not fare or if it goes to far

irresponsiblepunk

i hope they try to ban punk shows. Then theyl see some fucking riots

Xiuli Lin

http://tinyurl.com/25dnfq5

oldepunque

I was going to punk shows on Sunset in the early 80s and never saw violence. It's a few stupid drunk people who start it. There needs to be better crowd control and control of the instigators it seems. Anyway glad to see there's some punk spirit left. TSOL rules!

Xiuli Lin

http://tinyurl.com/25dnfq5

Greencrazed

I was in a riot in the early 80s at club called Bard's Apollo in the West Adams district where TSOL was playing. The LAPD was ALL OVER punk shows during that period. I was in a huge number of riots, all caused by the LAPD. The problem is the LAPD and not the punks. You people need to get over yourselves. This is just history repeating itself.

Jhnbev

SMASH THE PIG WITH BOTTLES!!!!

Gatesyfordness

fucken kyle

Oak Cliff Townie

Riot On Sunset Strip ?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt00...

What some see as the Depends crowd today were at it in the 60.s

Hankejoshua

A friend of mine (thanx again Dano!) posted this to facebook, and made the comment 'a few bad apples could shut down a punk show These days, and it got me thinkin and ranting again, so, with some minor editing and additional text, I thought I'd use it here! So here goes:

these days? I didn't move to SF until '85, and believe me- for awhile there were riots after every other show. It irritates me how the reporter briefly states 'in the late 70's and early '80's we were famous for our clashes with authorities...' rather than how it really was: we were famous for not being compliant and just laying down when the cops showed up to break the skulls of 13-15 year old kids. It's not a matter of a couple of bad apples, it's a matter of long standing distrust and animosity between punks and pigs in the L.A. area based on some very real and enduring 'relations' damaging brutality on the parts of the police, and the long standing pack mentality of L.A. punks confronted with what they can only fairly assume at this point, is going to be a ton of brownshirt-esque tactics coming down on them from the get-go. Now, I know it's not '82-'83 anymore, but there's a very real and very violent history there. Not surprised one bit.When I 1st moved to SF in '85, I could not BELIEVE it when everytime I saw a cop, they didn't stop me on the street, slam me against their car or a wall, go through my shit, leave it scattered on the ground and split... because I swear to you- EVERYTIME I saw a cop in L.A.- especially the suburbs- in the 80's, I was hassled. Another cute M.O. of theirs was to take guys to the parking lot of the Griffith Park Observatory and leave em up there- once in the rain-after stealing your boots, at 1am... for their amusement. This was not an isolated incident or trick of theirs either, and happened to me once, and at least 3 other people I know on separate occasions.They hated us... without cause. For those of you who don't know, Griffith Park Observatory is where the famous knife fight scene in Rebel Without a Cause was shot... it's pretty fuckin remote, w/ no buses or anything at 1am- the walk down the road to civilization took me 3 hours what with being barefoot ...and it behing 'a long and winding road' and all... it's also filled with late night creeper cruisers (think eastside of Buena Vista Park, or GG Park by the windmills magnified 2Xs), gang jump-ins, several times its been the site for bodies being dumped, a lot of coyotes up there, psychotic hobos, etc... not fun for a suburban 14 year old kid to deal with- of course, after 2 years runnin the SF streets Griffith Park became just another street kid tale of glory, but before? Scary shit! It was almost 2 years before I stopped pulling my knife and spinning around whenever a jogger would come obliviously running up the sidewalk behind me. I STILL get tense when I hear a 'ghetto-bird' in the sky aka helicopter! Trauma man! I never realized it then, but now i realize I had a form of PTSD -and I think a lot of us did who experienced those times in that place- I'm SURE of it! heh heh.... ever see the cover of Rollins' book 'Get In The Van'? This was not some freak thing that happened one time. It was a regular occurance, and I am not shocked at all at how the Hollywood show -albeit it's now 2011!- ended up a riotous clusterfuck!

As a side note, I'd like to add that my grandfather- with whom I was very close, and I respected/respect a great deal- was an L.A.P.D. detective, as were two of my other favorite dudes on the planet (both friends of his), and that there is very real difference between veteran old school detective gunslingin badasses, and new school (even then!) patrolmen in cruisers & sheriff's deputies. NOT that I'd have ever wanted to be on the wrong side of my grandfather's and his friends' barrels! These dudes were hard-fuckin'-core! But they were/are necessary. Sheriffs deputies and radio car dicks and Beverly Hills PD, Glendale, and Burbank? Fuck them. White Flag said, in the song 'Shattered Badge' that "Just like the punks, they're not all the same- what if you called the cops and no one came?" and this point is taken to heart; but just like most punks aren't over the top jockulatory asshats, but some are- most of the Southland cops are over the top Jockulatory asshats, but some aren't.

the truth

To clear things up us punks didnt start the trouble with the cops. Cops shut down the show and kicked everyone out of the key club because there was a scuffle outside on the street. On top of that we were greeted outside with pepper spray in the face when we exited the club. And you know who started the confrontation between the cops and punks..the cops. But no, every news source says we started it by spilling violence out from inside the club to the streets and greeted the cops with bottles and rocks. Actually everyone was outside hanging out, smoking cigarettes, some trying to get pepper spray out of our eyes when the cops started shooting pepper spray balls and rubber bullets at us and THATS when rocks and bottles started to get thrown and things escalated. Remember just cause its on tv or the internet that doesn't make it true..the punks dress "weird", listen to fast music, and have a strong stance against authority mistreating them weather it be cops or congress and have no problem voicing an opinion so that must mean that they're bad people and definitely the cause of trouble right. Its nice to know that we can do nothing wrong and get kicked out of a show (which we ate 40 bucks on), get pepper sprayed, shot at, and when we decide to stand up for ourselves it becomes the punks fault all this went down

Spineofgod13

30 years later and closed minded fools still don't get it. Now they can rant and hide behind the internet. Punk rockers are probably society's smallest problem.....

Matt Mc

Corruptusinextremus has it spot on, as most of you bible bashing dickheads wouldn't know, a hell of a lot of punk musicians and fans are avid activists for human and animal rights and believe everyone should be treated fairly and most people need to wake the F@#* up and realize just because the TV says they should do this or like that its not necessarily the case, all you closed minded losers out there should find a nice hole to dig for yourselves and leave the rest of us free thinking people alone because the world will be WAY better off, LONG LIVE PUNK, we need more of it more often, and by the way Toby Keith is useless.

YouAreDumb

Please, lock up your kids and do not allow them to be individuals. So that way by the time they're old enough to leave the house and make their own decisions, they're angry and psychotic enough to be murders...cuz that is definitely better than being 'punk rock'...wait, isnt that where a lot of punk rockers come from? being pissed off at ridiculous parenting? hmm, maybe you should be using this thread posting time educate yourself on being a better parent.

Joseph A. Saller

The easiest ones to bring down are usually the ones that aren't even doing much. Yet!

PxFxLx

It is ultimately the people that judge!!! Shit doesn't start until cops have to show their power to control a situation of a couple of idiots that aren't even punk rockers. So then they automatically go for the ones easiest to bring down...

Plex77

Thank god the cops took action. I love civil unrest as much as the next guy. but if I paid to see a show and some idiots started a riot, and I missed my favorite band, i'd love to see the assholes get gassed.

oh yeaaaaaaaa

this matt guy is trolling hard

Of course you're done, Dennis. I knew that when you started questioning my reading comprehension level. You're calling me stupid because I am your detractor. You know what that means? YOU LOSE.

Oh, and by the way, as far as "teaching me how to read a newspaper story," everyone else has gotten the same impression from your "story," so maybe you should simply learn how to write one and people won't get on your case.

And I should specify, because names don't come up, that that was my "like" on your post. I guess I need to explain that it was sarcastic.

David C

Something's happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear...

Been there, done that.

Xiuli Lin

http://tinyurl.com/25dnfq5

steph

we can never be as violent as the police and the government are.

Dennis--YOU are using the pull quotes and hyperbolic statements--you did not HAVE to include that statement by Zev Yaroslavsky (and yes I understand that he supports raves), and you did not HAVE to use that quote that ultimately was pulled, you CHOSE to use them to forward your argument.

One lie, as far as I am concerned, is pretending that you don't mean to incite hysteria by associating deaths after raves with raves themselves, as something that raves cause. That is a complete lie, because that IS your intent. You are not "reporting news," you are trying to kill a scene. As evidenced by your piece on Winterfresh, in which you crowed that the thing got shut down after you showed up to ask questions.

As far as your agenda, I'm not talking about your past or other writing. I am talking about your agenda with regard to raves. So don't question my reading ability, Dennis.

Dennis Romero

KT:

So, while arguing that I have an agenda, I should quash quotes that don't agree with yours, even if they come from a rave supporter?

M'kay.

I do think that it's reasonable to associate these deaths with the raves as other outlets, including the Los Angeles Times and even URB have done. I don't see you going after those writers (correct me if I'm wrong about that last part).

So, if someone dies after taking ecstasy and going to a rave, reporters should just ignore that? Is that what you're saying?

M'kay.

My "other writing?" I think you do have a reading comprehension issue. As regards raves, as I said, I've been covering the scene for 20 years. That coverage also includes some very glowing profiles and Q&As with the top DJs in the world as well as previews of dance events that have even included raves.

A "reading comprehension issue"? Are you serious? Do you even know what a reading comprehension issue IS? It certainly doesn't have to do with not reading your entire oeuvre of writing, it has to do with understanding what you are doing in your current cover story, which I very well understand. It is an alarmist story with a clear agenda.

It's not about "if someone dies after taking ecstasy and going to a rave," it's about the context in which you are placing it. You are blaming the rave. Sasha's death had nothing to do with a rave, it had to do with a multitude of factors that cascaded to her decision to take a bunch of Ecstasy pills. Your thinking and writing are too simplistic to acknowledge that complex fact.

And again, you are ignoring nearly every point I make. Say something that shows that you are actually reporting. Tell me about these hospitals that are prepared for a 6.5 earthquake. Tell me about the validity of the "85% of people at raves are buying drugs" "statistic." You either cannot or will not.

As far as why I'm not "going after" the other reporters, well, I'm sorry you feel "gone after" Dennis, but you put out bad arguments, you're going to get some feedback. And to my knowledge, there is no contemporary writer who is so relentless in going after raves.

Strumpling

Looks like somebody's getting a little agitated, KT. He's "done with you."

I love to see LA Weekly employing people who represent the organization with consistent professionalism.

Dennis Romero

KT:

I am serious.

For example (I say it again), no where in my story did I blame the party on Sasha's death. And, in fact, the Times the first to report her death and link it to EDC (so, yeah, there are other writers out there covering the same topic with the same frequency, but along with your comprehension issues I'm going to guess your reading diet isn't exactly cosmopolitan).

In any case, there's nothing simplistic about it. In fact, you're making connections and conclusions that I never did ("cascaded to her decision" -- really?).

Again, I quoted county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky on how E.R. doctors told him the prepare for raves like they do for a 6.5. Indpendently, E.R. doctors told me pretty much the same thing -- that they don't see anything like it the rest of the year. That's not my agenda talking, or my opinion, or my bias, that's front-line experts speaking from experience. If you think they're lying (including, again, the rave-supporter Yaroslavsky), please take it up with them.

The 85 percent quote was from widely recognized rave expert and former LAPD cop Trinka Porrata. Again, not my agenda, not my bias, not my opinion -- Porrata's expert view. Now, you could discount her view. That's fine. This is America. Go for it. And you could say, wow, this reporter uses people whose views are suspect. You COULD say that, except that Porrata has been widely quoted in other very mainstream media, has been to many many parties, has worked many parties, and has testified in many cases regarding raves. AND, I would say, in my 20 years of attending these events, she's not far off at all. Is it your opinion, KT, that most people at these parties are sober? So I think it would be reasonable for me to include these experts in my story.

Who would you have had me interview for the positivity of which you speak? I quoted Jason Bentley, who gave positive quotes about the scene, and a teenager raver, who said she had the time of her life. EDC's promoter declined a phone interview. Monster Massive's promoter was cool with an interview but did not get back to me in time for my deadline. Give me sources. Next time I'll call them.

So tell me, what this story of yours have looked like? What would it have been about? PLUR?

I feel like I have to teach you how to read a newspaper story. Seriously.

I'm done with you.

Dennis Romero

KT:

Here's an idea for you. Since you have the time to devour and absorb my every word lately (thanks for your readership and dedication).

Go through the cover story you so loathe and take out the stuff you don't like. Edit it to your liking. Even add mythical quotes and facts about how safe the events our, how "positive" they are, how nobody gets hurt or ODs, about what a good drug ecstasy is, about how well organized everything is. Seriously. Even if it isn't true (we'll debate that later). My point is, even if it were true, let's see how you do. Let's see how it works as news and journalism and storytelling. You're the critic. Do it. Post it here. Let's see how it turns out.

Dennis, my job is not to be a good reporter. That is YOUR job, and you fail.

In addition, one of my main points is that you are writing one-sided stories. If I were to aim to write a good story, I certainly would not take that approach. So I guess my story would be better than yours just based on that criterion.

Ianhillssl

You guys should all go to some shows before you open your one sided mouths about this. I was there we were all having a great time inside oblivious to what was going on outside. Then instead of letting the show finish with the hundreds who weren't in the fight they pushed us alloutside into the waiting hands of the riot squad way to go LAPD!!!! I got 4 steps out the door and was shot at and gassed for nothing yeah we deserved it you idiots!!! Wake up

Zenprankster

When football fans or NASCAR rednecks get out of hand, does anyone blame team sports or car racing? No, of course not. Trouble sometimes happens whenever large groups congregate. I look forward to the Justin Beiber riots sometime in the future...or perhaps a Hannah Montana Jonas. Bros fracas. Ban football...it advocates violence and mindless obedience to authority. Skate and destroy.

O.P.

2011 Punk Rock Chaos & Violence in Los Angeles! Were the Mayan's Right?

THIS is hilarious! Ridiculous! Absurd! Beautiful! Beautiful Losers!

Football players with Mohawks beating each other up. While confused retro-pop-punkies frantically run for cover. Violence to T.S.O.L and Youth Brigade? I used to love these peace rock bands! Sounds like there was just a great deal of confusion in an attempt to reignite old flames. The punk cult/movement DIED in the late 80's/early 90's. It was killed by green people, emotional grungy's, Street Art, Jeff Deitch, new-age parenting, complacency, acceptance, Social Distortion, Green Day, Kurt Cobain, Taco Bell, school of rock, Urban and other corporate Outfitters. I mean it REALLY REALLY is DEAD! This LOST derivative POP-mutation SUCKED the substance right out of the punk scene. In its vacuous mirroring of what once was, really is no more.

Why, I remember, back in the day, what we did wasn't called violence. Many of us saw it more as aggressive self-expression. Violence was usually the response to this expression by cops, skin heads and everyone ELSE. I also recall having to walk for miles of rough, gang infested terrain just to get to a show. We didn't have cars back then! We couldn't even afford the Big Blue Bus! Our thumbs would get tired from hitchhiking! Kids nowadays can walk down the street with green hair, piercings, chains n' boots without being called a FAG or harassed by soccer mom's and cops. No! They got it easy! Can anyone say "COUNTER CULTURE"?

Lockejane36

Shows shouldn't be banned! cops are the only ones getting in the way which makes punks get aggressive

Anesthesia222

I wasn't there, but have friends who were and can imagine that this whole thing stemmed from a few people making bad decisions, and then the cops blowing things out of proportion.

That said, I'm mostly commenting because for those of you too stupid to get it--"Matt C" is NOT POSTING SERIOUSLY. IT'S CALLED SARCASM, PEOPLE. And those of you posting your huffy "retorts" are only making us punk rock fans look like morons.

"Matt C" is probably sitting back laughing his ass off at you idiots.

Matt C

I'm just making sure everybody's got some of their own ideas to share ;)

We're getting trampled, folks. Not just in the mosh-pit, but at CITY HALL.

They will take all that you enjoy away if you do not pay attention.

Hankejoshua

http://spaceagethrowback.blogs...

this is what I have to say about it.

rachel

its not that these shows should be banned, people just need to control themselves and not try to prove a point by rioting. punk is not whats going to kill your kids or ruin society. get a clue. its lack of responsibility and self control that comes from each individual person that will 'kill' people

Mbdesign1

blame it on the hippies

urethane

this type of thing just creates untiy in the scene. i love it. lets go skate!

lifeisbutadream

haha matt' way to egg on this. This has been a funny read for the day.

dennis

Good old "authorities". Biggest gang in the world. They employ below-average IQ failed high school jocks who have nothing better to do than take their anger out on people who have it worse than even they do, and go to these shows to have fun and escape everything else. They do the world no good.

FUH-Q

i was there!!!! haha bitch asss show, payed to much for it to get raded.

deal with it

I was at the show,Im married, Im a parent, a home owner, and I work in a nice office and make good money. I also have a mohawk and am covered in tattoos. Ive been a punk my whole life. If your kids are messed up its not the scene its you!

cocainimation

It's not the scene that's the issue here. Kids have been causing trouble ever since cavemen kids learned how to vandalize cave paintings. "Oog give mammoth mustache!"

And you know, straight edge (no drugs) is a pretty common lifestyle in the punk scene, so your "blame it on the drugs" spiel holds no water, er, beer.

Peanut

The Key Club is a pit. Burn it down.

Gillette1313

So lame, a clip from suberbia, really, the bouncers at the key club are kooks, and the cops always have hated us punks, so hurray for the lame article.