In 1977, The Avengers established themselves as one of the US’s preeminent punk bands. Fusing incisive guitar hooks, explosive rhythms, and adolescent venom, the group forged some of the most in-your-face songs of the era. Classics like “We Are the One” and “The American in Me” earned them a spot opening for the Sex Pistols at their final performance at Winterland, as well as a dedicated following that has only swelled during the subsequent years. The number of musicians that count themselves indebted to the sneering indictments of vocalist Penelope Houston and the eviscerating chords of guitarist Greg Ingraham cannot be overstated. The current line up includes rock-solid bassist Joel Reader (MTX) and the exhilarating drumming of Luis Illades (Pansy Division).
While much has been written about The Avengers in the past four decades, rock critic Greil Marcus puts it succinctly, “The word I always come back to is mystical, and that remains almost theirs alone.”
The Zeros ’77
Founding members of The Zeros Robert Lopez & Hector Penalosa, reunited to form The Zeros ’77.
Heralding from Chula Vista CA as teenagers in High School, they helped create the first wave of Punk Rock in Southern California in 1977. They performed along side X, The Germs and The Weirdos up & down the California Coast. Reforming in The 90’s to tour Europe & Japan, they are together again to recap their original sounds and performances with songs like “Beat your Heart Out” & “Wimp”. This line up includes drummer Lety Beers of San Diego Heroes, The Schizophonics & keeping it in the family, Roberts cousin Adam on guitar. Come see the sounds of the original scene as it approaches 50 years. “Nothing Gold can stay….Pony Boy”.
The Brat
From 1979-1985 The Brat tore through the SoCal punk landscape garnering a dedicated cult following and recognition as “one of East LA’s Best Bands” by LA Weekly Magazine. In its heyday The Brat played backyard shows, underground clubs and other venues along-side the Plugz, the Zeros, Los Illegals, Odd Squad, the Cruzados, the Weirdos, X and REM. Their first release, a 5-song EP, produced by Tito Larriva and released by Fatima Records helped them make their mark on the local scene where their live shows featured the distinctive vocals and insightful lyrics of Teresa Covarrubias and Rudy Medina’s catchy riffs. Attitudes became an instant underground hit and continues to be sought after by vinyl collectors. However, The Brat’s brief, fierce life was cut short by other heartless music industry creeps with dollar sign eyeballs and greasy fingers. Recently re-formed by two of its core members, vocalist Teresa Covarrubias and lead guitarist Rudy Medina, The Brat is back for some hard-hitting rock and roll!