OP-ED: Lessons from the Fullerton Museum’s “Punk OC” Exhibit

Decades before our local music scenes thrived as they do today, with Instagram flyers, $5 Venmos at the door, and bands doing their best to go internet viral, SoCal punk scenes took root in unexpected places. While punk may typically be associated with urban spaces and tight-packed underground clubs, a thriving scene was born from the suburbs of Orange County – a seemingly idyllic playground for middle-class families and cookie-cutter condos.

However, in the late ‘70s, beneath the dreamy facade lived a generation of youth who felt excluded from this new iteration of the American Dream, who aligned less with the Beach Boys and more with the latest movement clawing and thrashing its way across the nation – a movement known as punk rock. 

Nestled in a historic building in the heart of Downtown Fullerton, pieces of punk history are on display at the Fullerton Museum Center with their exhibit “Punk OC: From the Streets of Suburbia.” As I wandered through the thoughtfully curated exhibit and admired the leather jackets, hand-drawn flyers, beat-to-death guitars and tattered t-shirts, I was filled with an unexpected sense of pride for my hometown. 

Around me, punk bands representing all levels of commercial success told their stories, which began right here in my backyard. The Adolescents, D.I., Agent Orange, TSOL, The Offspring, The Vandals, and Social Distortion have cemented their places as legends in punk history. 

I couldn’t help but wonder: why Orange County? What was so special about our hometown that it could produce these incredible, nonconforming musicians and bring them together? Furthermore, as members of the current scene of budding musicians in Orange County, what can we learn from our roots on display in this museum, to both honor the spirit that started it all and push the music forward in new directions? I dove into the details of each display to find out.

Memorabilia from Fullerton’s Adolescents — one of OC’s most influential bands.

The exhibit, curated by punk historians Georgette Collard and Jim Washburn, largely credits the rapid expansion of punk rock across Orange County to the Fullerton apartment of the legendary Mike Ness of Social Distortion. His home, nicknamed “The Black Hole,” became a haven for people who, like him, felt alienated from Orange County cliques and socialites. These angry kids found families within each other, and started bands to reach out to and connect with other underrepresented youth across the county. 

Some may argue that Orange County punk rock is inauthentic or dismissable, because it comes from an area with an above average income and conservative voting habits. However, after reading the stories of these late ‘70s OC punks, it is apparent to me that those who took the risk to be a punk in a place designed to exclude you were the ultimate examples of subversiveness and non-conformity. Their spirit and ethos of punk rock were aided by the challenges of growing up in a culture which one does not feel a part of. 

Despite the verbal and physical conflict that OC punks of the early era experienced (and perhaps even enjoyed), such as fighting with taunting local rednecks, they pushed forward ambitiously to create music that has since resonated with millions of people around the world. Gold and platinum records hung on the walls of the exhibit from bands starting out in Orange County garages and independent venues. Some of these included the iconic Doll Hut and The Cuckoo’s Nest – the latter of which was the birthplace of the mosh pit, according to a museum plaque. 

Wall panel and photos from the Doll Hut — the stomping ground of punk bands from across California.

Punk music in Southern California still exists today because generations of punkers have preserved the authentic, unadulterated creativity in the face of obstacles, scrutiny, and violence. This perseverance should inspire us to keep challenging the status quo of music, no matter what county you reside in. One particularly moving display in the museum addresses the divide between Los Angeles and Orange County, and how punks worked to break down that barricade. 

“Angelenos looked down on OC. This perceived cultural gap between us was nicknamed the Orange Curtain. Both counties’ punk bands, however, did not have much respect for barriers, and freely crossed them. Many of LA’s finest performed to packed audiences at OC’s Cuckoo’s Nest, Safari Sam’s, and the few other venues that would host them. OC bands routinely headed up the 405 and 5 to play in LA’s relative wealth of venues.” - Jim Washburn

Local bands today can, and should, continue this tradition of breaking barriers and supporting one another across county lines – and publications like this one can aid in uniting bands from across Southern California. I got a bit emotional in a section of the museum dedicated to the fan zines of the ‘80s and ‘90s, and a dedication to the teen girl photographers who documented the scenes with such attention to detail, movement, and energy. I am inspired greatly to continue documenting emerging talent across Southern California that breaks down cultural and geographical boundaries. 

Spreads from OC’s Fullertone zine featuring ads, interviews and reviews.

Over the years, I’ve heard Orange County get more than its fair share of shit, especially from my L.A. peers, and on the surface, some of the criticism is understandable. Trust fund kids, MAGAs, and ludicrously-priced real estate exist in abundance throughout the county, and many claim that residents of Orange County live in a “bubble.” But to assign this stereotype to the entirety of our diverse 3-million person population is ignorant of the true multicultural experience it is to reside here in OC, and of our vibrant history of subversive music and art. “Punk OC: From the Streets of Suburbia” is an important journey through our local piece of punk history, and a reminder for the punks of today to carry on the torch of persevering rebellion into the music scenes of tomorrow.

Our Southern California music scenes can learn a great deal from our punk predecessors and carry on their aggressively DIY ethos that brought about success and longevity. According to the exhibit, many founding members of the iconic OC punk bands had never even picked up an instrument before starting their bands – including the Offspring, who were so inspired by a Social Distortion gig at Cal State Fullerton that they started their band then and there. 

These musicians let nothing get in the way of making their voices heard and contributing to the music community that made them feel like they mattered. If there’s anything you can take away from our punk predecessors, it’s this: if you like punk music, pick up a shitty guitar, learn a few power chords, and put together a band. Where would we be today if those Fullerton kids hadn’t done just that?