In December 2008 Punk Rock from the 80's will live

Flipping through radio stations today I happened to hear a college radio concert listing.  Even though I rarely go to shows anymore other than Bruce Springsteen, something told me to listen.  This month three of bands I saw the most live in the 80's are coming to town.  (Others included friends like The Balancing Act, Milo Bender, Peter Case and Victoria Williams)  I might just have to drag myself out to see all of them even though I've got none of the old Los Angeles crew is around me to go with. :(

My most memorable X show was at UCLA when I could walk to a show and I vividly remember walking home from this one.  I wedged myself upfront right next to the barriers and lost a few pounds in sweat.  Exene leaned down into the audience with her mic and stand and sang right too me.  Years later when I worked at Geffen, I met John Doe which only deepened my massive crush on him.  Even now, 30 years later, the 50-something married dad can still make me swoon.  I saw them a few years back in Philly and they are still rocking hard.

My friend Kimley and I saw many, many Fishbone shows when they were first coming up.  I had a tee shirt that someone had made a few of and sold at one show.  Extreme limited edition.  I wore it to another show at UCLA where most of the audience were just curious students and staff having lunch vs. fans.  Kimley and I were the only ones who danced through the whole show.  The combo of my shimmying and shirt won me the honor of bassist Norwood removing a rubber shark from his belt and gifting it to me.  I still have it and even named our girl band after it.

Youth Brigade, the LA version not the DC group, was fronted by Shawn Stern (and filled out by two of his brothers) who went to UCLA with me.  I was a huge, rabid fan after my friend Bobbi introduced me to their music.  They were one of the interviews I did for the Beyond Help zine for which this blog is named.   I even very briefly managed their "Brigade" incarnation.  Shawn always impressed me with his intellectual, political approach to punk rock combined with musical aggression.  I'm glad to see that he's still hardcore given how far I've fallen off the wagon.

December 13 Youth Brigade at Gilman (which I've never been to even though I worked with one of the organizers at Rough Trade Records)

December 14 Fishbone at the Independent

December 26 & 27 X at Slim's

Video goodness: