Best rock band from SoCal (San Francisco, Santa Monica: how much, school, price)

[fpbear]

There were a lot of great hard rock bands that formed in LA/OC during the 80s. I went to many of the shows at the small nightclubs. After the Seattle grunge scene took over, commercial viability of upbeat, melodic rock died, and the good "fun" bands disappeared from the national stage. The local clubs have transformed and now we get a variety of performers but the music is too often dark and depressing sounding, or just simply lacks knowledge of music theory and chords, etc. The record industry and the LA/OC music scene has been in major decline since the 90s.

[Magnum Mike]

"..too often dark and depressing sounding" - That is a very accurate assessment of the music today fpbear. I'll take the tastefully written vocals, the good bass and drums, and the flashy guitar solos of Eddie Van Halen, Warren Di Martini and George Lynch anyday, over the depressing stuff that's out there today.

[CharlieC]

KLOS' Jim Ladd, 'the last DJ," mentioned one night a rock group from L.A. that he said should have been huge. Toured everywhere, were (are) loved by any and all that have seen them. They played rock with a '50's style. I just cannot remember who he said the group was. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[ImRandy]

Originally Posted by Angel Bear

...As a skater kid in the 1980's (and well, today), loved Suicidal Tendencies--Think they're from Venice....

I've always heard they were originally from Camarillo.

Some other great LA/OC acts from my perspective would include The Dickies, Black Flag, Fear, The Adolescents, DI, TSOL, and The Vandals.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by ImRandy

I've always heard they were originally from Camarillo.

Some other great LA/OC acts from my perspective would include The Dickies, Black Flag, Fear, The Adolescents, DI, TSOL, and The Vandals.

How about the Circle Jerks? The Germs? Wasted Youth?

Aahh brings back fun memories....

[Floridagirl08]

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are my favorite Southern California band. All time favorite is Aerosmith but they are from Boston.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by Angel Bear

It's before my time, but I looove Dick Dale, the King of Surf Guitar He hails from Newport Beach. What a pioneer

As a skater kid in the 1980's (and well, today), loved Suicidal Tendencies--Think they're from Venice

Right now, I'm enjoying listening to all the good rockabilly bands that hail from OC and LA on MySpace...Gotta do my research before I'm a local, so I'll know who I like

I don't listen to much 'newer' groups that are popular today, but I try to keep up so I can have conversation with the 'normal' people in my life that aren't as 'weird' as me LOL

You'll get a kick out of this Angelbear. I was engaged to an Elvis Impersonator in the late 70's and his first manager was Dick Dale. My ex use to play at his seedy club in Anaheim complete with waitresses dancing on the bar. He was a crazy guy. He was married at the time to a Polonesian woman who would threaten to shoot Dick frequently. He didn't remain my ex's manager for long due to a very unprofessional work ethic. But he will always be the King of the Surf Guitar.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by RobE

There are too many popular L.A. acts to name over the years. The Doors, the Byrds, Guns and Roses, CSN really got together at Joni Mitchell's place up in Laurel Canyon, Sonny and Cher (well, not great, but notable), Van Halen, Quiet Riot, Poison, Metallica (when Ron McGoveney was their bass player), Love, the Beach Boys, Jackson Browne, The Runaways (featuring Joan Jett), Toto, Steely Dan, Steve Martin, X, the Blasters, The Plimsouls, No Doubt, the Righteous Brothers, the Go-Gos, the Buffalo Springfield, etc.

I went to school with the guys from Toto. Grant High School and Milliken Jr. High. The Pocaro brothers were the nicest guys you could ever meet and came from a great family. Also went to Jr. High with Danny Wilde who was part of the Rembrandt's (wrote and sang the Friends theme song) He use to be lead singer of a garage band called The Quick and then disbanded and became GreatBuildings. The were managed by Kim Fowler,yuck, who managed the Runaways to name a few. God I'm old!

[JerZ]

The Offspring.

[fastfilm]

Y'all remember "Misirlou," the twangy guitar-driven instrumental from "Pulp Fiction?" No one fires the passion in a song like its creator, no matter what their performing lifespan. Here's Dick Dale, the King of the Surf Guitar who wrote same, photographed by me in 1973 (leaping off a piano!) and 1994, live on Santa Monica Pier.





photos Copyright (C) fastfilm (yes, me.)(for Puffle and everyone.)