A week ago Sunday, I attended what I like to think of as a Punk Rock “Hoedown” or “Hootenanny,” sans the dancing, for the “My Damage” All-Star Punk Rock Signing Party at La Luz de Jesus. Unlike the book signing by Keith Morris at Skylight Books, which I also attended, this was a gathering of the core of the Los Angeles punk rockers from the late 70s, which includes Pleasant Gehman, Iris Berry, Chris D., Dave Alvin and, of course, Keith Morris.
Keith and Billy (of La Luz) were good enough to provide Home State Tacos to warm up the faithful before the reading. Everyone gathered in the back of Wackos parking lot to get reacquainted and chit chat with delicious tacos and cocktails.
There was a healthy and dedicated crowd who filled La Luz de Jesus as Lee Joseph spun Punk Rock 45’s ’til the reading started in earnest. Keith acted as MC by introducing each reader, while adding lively commentary and insider quips before and after each reading. It was a fun 3-plus hours on a Sunday that bound us all together with some tough topics and some amazing laughs. The video above will provide more insight and tone than anything I could ever write, so enjoy the ride of a bunch of old punk rockers having a go at each other– and you!
