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O.C. punk exhibit showcases the sound and scene that ‘put punk rock on the map’

BBG News

Back in the ’80s, when punk rock was at its height in Fullerton, there was an explosion of enthusiasm and desire for punk music in Orange County, which peaked dramatically during a special TSOL concert at Fullerton College.

A packed room resonated with the music of the renowned punk band, when, in a frenzy, an overenthusiastic crowd burst through the rear entrance, creating pandemonium as waves of punk fans surged into the venue to witness the most feared and respected O.C. punk legends live on stage.

In an interview with The Times, the band’s vocalist, Jack Grisham, described the scene as being similar to the chaos when people rush a store on Black Friday. Instead of fighting over televisions and video game consoles, however, the crowd was eager for punk rock music. He likened it to a stampede that happens when people are trying to exit a building, but in this case, they were surging into the venue.

The historical significance of Fullerton’s punk rock scene is being highlighted as part of a broader tribute to Orange County punk at the Fullerton Museum Center. The event launches on Saturday with an opening reception that includes live shows by D.I. and TSOL, DJ sets from Joe Escalante of the Vandals, and comedian Chris Estrada serving as the emcee. This exhibit, titled “Punk OC: From the Streets of Suburbia,” runs until August 10th and was organized by curators Georgette Collard and Jim Washburn.

Collard mentioned that there had been a significant number of punk music supporters in Fullerton, even with our mayor at the time being one. This sparked discussions about creating a punk exhibit, given the city’s connection to numerous prominent bands. Since many of our board members had past experiences in the punk rock scene, everyone was eager to celebrate and display this aspect of Fullerton’s history.

This exhibition delves into Orange County’s punk history, beginning with pioneering bands from Fullerton in the late 1970s such as Eddie and the Subtitles, Social Distortion, Agent Orange, D.I., and Adolescents. It then traverses through the subsequent decades, spotlighting groups that emerged from other cities within the county. Notable bands like TSOL, the Crowd, the Vandals, and the Offspring are some of those showcased. The exhibit will display a variety of unique items, artwork, posters, photographs, and personal memorabilia for visitors to peruse.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself astonished by the abundance of punk artifacts preserved over the years. One might expect such items to be discarded due to the fast-paced lifestyle often associated with punk culture. Yet, it’s amazing to see just how much has been saved, filling these walls with history.

In a region known more for conservatism than rebellion, Orange County might appear an odd birthplace for punk rock, contrasting sharply with nearby Los Angeles. However, Grisham, who rose through the ranks of O.C.’s punk scene alongside his bandmates in TSOL, attributes the area to pioneering a unique sound of punk rock that propelled the genre far beyond its local confines.

I’ve always admired how L.A.’s music scene was vibrant, but nothing compared to the unique sound that emerged from Orange County – the surf-skate vibe. This sound revolutionized punk rock, propelling it onto the global stage. Some might yearn for a time when punk never escalated beyond its humble beginnings, confined within basements and backyards. However, it was the skaters, surfers, videos, fashion, and overall culture that originated from there, not other regions, that truly catapulted punk rock into prominence.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Orange County proved challenging for punk rockers to maneuver around, as stated by Grisham. The county’s stronghold of conservatism frequently created obstacles for individuals who were considered outliers or creative types.

Grisham stated that in downtown L.A., you can wear outrageous outfits and people won’t bat an eye because there’s so much eccentricity on the streets. However, if you dress unconventionally in a suburban neighborhood, such as wearing a leather jacket with purple hair, you may encounter issues like being questioned by the police, harassed, or even threatened. This is what we were trying to challenge here.

In my humble opinion, the area I’ve just witnessed on screen was not immune to the grim realities of poverty and familial strife. Regrettably, it bore a striking resemblance to many other places I’ve seen.

Among the original TSOL members, I was the only one who had a stable family structure, as they all came from broken homes – divorces and family discord being common themes for each of them. This is what Grisham shared.

As reported by the exhibit’s organizers, this display is designed to challenge established beliefs about Orange County punk by examining the rich array of cultural influences and economic circumstances that led numerous bands to express their dissent and artistic talent through their music.

Initially, I had been rather skeptical about Orange County punk for an extended period. One might wonder, “With its idyllic beauty, how could there be anything to complain about when the punk music originates from such places?” Washburn expressed this sentiment. However, upon conversing with some of the individuals involved, it became clear that they had endured bullying at school or grew up in dysfunctional families. This revelation made me understand that there were numerous factors pushing them to rebel – being an outsider in a seemingly perfect society didn’t make them feel any less alienated.

Highlighting both the contrast and the resulting community that fostered a lively music culture is a crucial element of the “Punk OC” display. Essentially, what this exhibit emphasizes and honors is the spirit and camaraderie that defined the Orange County punk scene.

Collard stated one key intention behind this display is to enlighten the general public, particularly those unfamiliar with punk rock. He aims to educate visitors to demonstrate that the punk rock environment is inclusive and open to all, emphasizing the strong sense of camaraderie within the punk rock community. This inclusiveness and fellowship should be evident in the exhibit.

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2025-04-04 23:01

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