Punk Bands Cover Old Bands for Halloween Show

Paul Miranda of Iron Fist playing guitar, photo by Stephanie Mendez

A DIY Halloween themed show hosted various punk bands in a private venue off Seventh Street in Long Beach Saturday night.

The show consisted of bands covering punk and rock ‘n’ roll legends like Motorhead, X-Ray Spex, Dead Kennedys, and The Casualties.

Minerva Barrales, a 20-year-old child development major at California State University Dominguez Hills, attended the show in support of the local bands.

“I came for ‘Motorhead’ and ‘The Dead Kennedys,’ they’re the reason I’m here,” Barrales said.

Miriam Gonzalez, a 22-year-old recent graduate of University of California Berkeley, was impressed by the X-Ray Spex cover band.

“I was a fan of the band, it was nice seeing mostly female players playing the show,” she said.

X-Ray Spex cover band playing for a full house, photo by Stephanie Mendez

Attendees of Punk Rock Wedding Sound Off

July and Ditch’s Wedding Extravaganza was an event made possible by members of the punk community, ultimately maintaining the DIY ethics of punk rock.

Theresa Stauffer, a 47-year-old Long Beach resident, served as a bridesmaid but provided profound help in setting up the event.

“It was my pleasure to assist Michelle with wedding preparations and coordinating with DiPiazza's,” she said.

Despite difficulties in setting up the show, the results were a success.

“Danny from Craic Haus was the perfect MC and he and Dylan really made it special. Media Blitz sounded great,” Stauffer said.

Vanessa Lopez, a 22-year-old Westminster resident, provided the event's baked goods and enjoyed the show.

“It was awesome,” she said, “while the bands were playing it somehow still felt like a wedding and not some random show.”

The Detours performing "No Way," video by Stephanie Mendez

Local Couple Host Punk Rock Wedding Event

The newlyweds walk after being pronounced husband and wife, photo by Stephanie Mendez

An Orange County couple hosted a unique wedding event and show at DiPiazzas this Saturday in Long Beach.

Michelle Scott and Ryan Donahue’s “July and Ditch’s Wedding Extravaganza” featured a wedding ceremony and a punk show. The event included performances by Orange County’s Media Blitz and The Detours.

“Punk rock is such a big part of our lives, it was the only natural way to celebrate our love for each other,” Ryan Donahue said.

Punk rock wasn’t the only element that removed tradition. The couple’s groomsmen dressed as bananas, the bridesmaids dressed as lobsters, and the marriage officiant dressed in safari attire.

“It was the best party I have ever been to in my life,” Ryan Donahue said.

The newlyweds shared advice for couples inspired by the event.

“Show the world who you are and don't include anything that is not a sincere expression of love,” Ryan Donahue said.

The bride also suggested personal touch.

“Make sure to create an event that is very personal,” she said, “pay attention to what makes you who you are, individually, and as a couple, and blow it up. Nothing is too crazy when you are willing to be wacky.”

South Central Riot Squad Fanbase Still Going Strong

SCRS fans at a show in Aug 2012, photo by Michelle Mendez

South Central Riot Squad’s reunion show prompted fan support from all over the area. Fans were enthusiastic about the events.

Steve Lopez, a 22-year-old music major from California State University Northridge, attended in support of South Central Riot Squad.

“I went for SCRS. They've been a local band for a good amount of years and they're known in the backyard punk scene,” Lopez said.

Lopez paid close attention to the band’s sound.

“I think they were great. I really enjoyed the riffs," he said, "what I did not like was the guitar overpowered most of the other instruments. Other than that, catchy breaks and just straight fast punk."

Joseph Tannous, a 20-year-old student from Rio Hondo Community College, attended in support of Angels of Mischief, who canceled last minute.

“I came out from Pomona to LA to support SGV’s Angels of Mischief but they couldn't make it due to van troubles," he said, "I was pretty disappointed but SCRS took the gig and had the best response from the crowd."

South Central Riot Squad Reunites to Play a DIY Show

SCRS bassist performing at the El Sereno gig, photo by Albert Lopez

Underground punk sensations South Central Riot Squad returned from a hiatus to perform at a show in El Sereno Saturday night.

The Los Angeles band was joined by local street punk acts Underground Alliance and The Pins. Angels of Mischief were scheduled to perform but canceled last minute. True to punk spirit, the DIY event took place in a large yard behind a house.

With Underground Alliance as the opening act, SCRS commenced by covering Dead Boys’ “Sonic Reducer.” The band’s set resulted in significant crowd action as audience members sang alongside the vocalist.

SCRS is a renowned and established band in the LA area. The band was previously featured on Hellcat Records’ “Give Em The Boot IV” CD compilation, and also featured in Larry Clark’s film, “Wassup Rockers.”