One of my favorite fanzines/magazines ANP QUARTERLY has a new issue out with an article entitled “L.A. Punk Gangs of the 80’s”. Honestly this is the first time I have ever seen a publication tackle this part of the L.A. hardcore movement. It’s a very interesting and insightful read, and I’m glad ANP did this feature, it brought back a lot of memories. I wanted to shed some light on the Suicidal Boys part of the article because this is the scene that I was a part of when I first found punk rock. Usually people always talk about how violent we were, but they leave out the huge amount of kinship we had with one another. We had a central meeting place, which was Mar Vista park, where we would meet up before shows and down beers. Also this park served as the place were the Suicidal softball & football leagues would play ball. Somedays we could also be seen at Penmar playing golf with the Suicidal golf club or at the bowling alley with the Suicidal bowling team. For me it was more of a band of brothers than it was a gang. That being said, many of us did have older brothers that were a part of the local gangs, plus being from Venice we were taught to represent our hood! Many of the kids that were in our scene had known each other since the first grade, so of course as we got older we had each others’ backs. More than the shows in Hollywood, it was the house parties where the real fun would take place. I’m talking about kegger parties that would feature live performances from Suicidal Tendencies, No Mercy, Beowulf, Neighborhood Watch and Chaotic Noise; these were priceless events. When we did go to shows, we did not fuck with people unless they fucked with us. If someone called us out of name they would have to pay the price. The down side to growing up in this environment is that some kids actually did join gangs and went down a path that led them to prison. On a personal level, I realized punk was bigger than just the people around me, and I started listening to Crass and bands that opened my mind. I’m glad that I did not just close myself off to the broader punk scene, because I would have missed out on a lot! I’m way happy that ANP QUARTERLY did this article, because this was an era that has been forgotten about by many. Go to pages 57 through 67 to read “L.A. Punk Gangs of the 80’s”…much respect to everyone who took photos back then!..All of the madness is after the jump.
Scout wells
April 29, 2016 at 1:50 pm
Pure bullshit. We Suicidals didn’t fuck you up unless you deserved it- if you were being a dick in the pit or otherwise had it coming. So much nonsense lately about punk gangs- those who were really there need to speak up. I still live in Culver City/Mar Vista, and the good thing was, that by 83-84 no one fucked with punks pretty .much from the 405 and Jefferson to the 405 and the Ten west to the water/Marina. Including fucking pigs (LA, Santa Monica, and Culver PD). That was our goal and we achieved it with ease.
Lily Wissell
July 30, 2015 at 12:19 pm
i bet i knew you then sean 😉
Dr. Fong.
February 12, 2015 at 12:12 am
What a load of shit. Suicidal boyz were fuck’en bastards that jumped punks on sight. I ran with Circle One, L.O.D., and I remember you lying bully gang bangers from O.C., fullerton, venice and long beach. In fact, you guys murderd a guy in front of Fenders and got the place shut down. Tell it like it was. You guys were the enemy of all punks everywhere. Noth’en but Bully gang member trash. CIRCLE ONE PUNX, THE REAL FAMILY.
PK
January 29, 2015 at 5:43 am
Hey Sean- have a look at the piece I wrote about 10 years ago for my clothing line (Ski Punx) I talk about the early days of LA and OC punk rock, some clicks affiliated, including FFF, LADS, Sui’s etc…And true- there were also some others left out like LMP, and BPO (Burbank Punx Organization) Now that’s goin’ way back eh boyz? Read the 1st couple paragraphs here http://www.skipunx.com/story.php
Tai Kahn
December 21, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Sui’s or Social D’bags, been punched in the face by both trying to enjoy myself at plenty LA punk shows, just part of the shit that made up the incredible experience of growing up around punk rock in socal. I never liked the fact that people acted with that gang mentality and were all dressed the same and went to shows to apparently get into shit with others, but I wouldn’t change any of it. I definately wouldnt trade it for today’s bullshit scene where when fat mike or ben weasel punch someone and they are looked at like the the devil incarnate. Pussification of a nation. I for one am glad I had to go through some real shit, made punk rock that much more important for me.
Mike Taylor
July 20, 2014 at 5:36 pm
What did they call you? Sean Reveron?
Iron Mtn
March 2, 2014 at 4:34 pm
I would say that I understand the kinship you felt the truth of the matter is this, Suicidals loved to cause problems without being provoked. My first exposure to them was in 1982 Discharge show at the Santa Monica Civic. Sui’s were running around and pushing people all over the floor (not just in the pit) and just being plain jerks. Let’s not even get started about all the violence they brought (along with other gangs) to Fender’s Ballroom. Truth is, punk gangs are a oxymoron and lame at best.
Taylor Bennett
December 1, 2013 at 7:57 am
there’s no mention of the oldest punk rock gang, la mirada punks, the only punk rock gang thats still around and banging hard… -LMP-
FluoGlacial
April 12, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Nice! Do we need to buy the mag’ to zoom the text ?
CVLT Nation
April 12, 2013 at 7:50 pm
No you should just be able to hit the zoom button…
Dylan Mathew Fenster
April 10, 2013 at 10:33 am
There is a mistake in the S.T. section – Amery Smith was not in “V13” because he wore that hat on the album, in fact, Amery borrowed that hat from Luigis brother (who was a gangster) right before the photo shoot.
Danisthebastard
April 10, 2013 at 10:27 am
Thanks! Been listening to a lot of Beowulf and Excel lately.