Angels Gate Cultural Center - History of San Pedro Punk

June 26 - July 31, 2005

Curated by Marshall Astor

Since the earliest punk movements of the 1970s, San Pedro's scene had a style uniquely its own. Beginning in 1979 with the groundbreaking sound of the Reactionaries, members of which moved on to form the iconic and genre defining Minutemen in 1980, to the South Bay punk of the 90's, San Pedro has been a punk stronghold for 25 years.

Now, nearly a generation later, the subculture still rocks as a significant source of energy in the Harbor area. In 2005, elements of this energetic community can be found building the Channel Street Skate Park, in careers in the arts--such as the founding the San Pedro City Ballet--and a hundred other success stories. Bands from Pedro continue to tour America and the world, but the punk ethic has become more than a musical subculture. It's become, in the words of D. Boon, singer/guitarist of the Minutemen, "what we made it to be:" a cultural touchstone.

Original artwork, music, photos, posters, memorabilia and video clips spanning a quarter century of punkdom was being brought together from the personal archives of local artists and musicians for the first time by curator Marshall Astor. The exhibition featured a timeline with the events, people and venues-including Union Club, The Dancing Waters, Sacred Grounds Coffee House, and the recent skate park-which made the scene what it is today. Featured visual artists: Lena Orlando, Craig Ibarra, Martin Lyon, Aaron White, Scott Aicher, Chet Zar, Kevin Salk and Andy Harris and more.

The show documented in an informative catalogue available during the exhibition only. Bands featured in exhibited recordings and videos include The Reactionaries, Minutemen, Invisiblechains, The Wigs, Dos, fIREHOSE, Skinhorse, One Thin Dime, Rig, F.Y.P., Melting Pot, No Comply, The Leeches, F.C.P., The Jag-Offs, Toys That Kill, Killer Dreamer, and many more.

Opening reception: June 26, 2005, 2-4 pm
Musical performance by The Leeches
All events free and open to the public

Card Promo, Aaron White

KHCR Flyer

Andy Harris - A life-long skateboarder and punk rock enthusiast, Andy worked as a photographer, teacher and longshoreman. He is the Executive Director of the San Pedro Skatepark Association and spearheaded the construction of the Channel Street Skatepark (www.sanpedroskateparkassociation.org).

Craig Ibarra - An active participant in the punk rock community since the early 80's, Craig established the tape 'zine S. A. D. CASSETTES (www.sadcassettes.com), produced art shows, played in the bands Rig and No Comprende, and, in 2004, began publishing The Rise and the Fall (www.theriseandthefall.com), a 'zine that covers the punk scene of the Los Angeles harbor area. Craig is also known in Pedro for his hand cut stencils of punk icons.

Martin Lyon - Martin Lyon picked up a 35mm camera in 1980, just in time to get involved in the South Bay punk scene, both as participant and documenter.

Aaron White - Born into an artistic family, Aaron took up the family trade at an early age, making comics, flyers, album art during a while getting involved in the Pedro music scene. Aaron is the co-founder of Kit Bash Productions (www.kitbashproductions.com) and his paintings have been exhibited around Los Angeles.

Chet Zar - A native San Pedran, Chet drew flyers and played in the band Skinhorse before following a career in special effects. His dark imagery echoes the both the crisp quality and the varied creatures and horrors rendered in his professional work.

The Leeches - a polka-inspired trio of hyperactive, garbage-bag-wearing madmen.

Hard Work, Andy Harris

Mike Watt and Secondmen

Lost Hands, Aaron White

Punk Rock Shoe

F.C.P. Flyer

Minutemen, 1985 Tour Flyer

MEDIA CONTACT Carla Sameth 626-564-0163 carla@sameth.com