The Dead Kennedys merged revolutionary politics with hardcore punk music and, in the process, became one of the defining hardcore bands. Often, they were more notable for their politics than their music, but that was part of their impact. The Kennedys were more inspired by British punk and the fiery, revolutionary-implied politics of the Sex... [+] Read More

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The Dead Kennedys merged revolutionary politics with hardcore punk music and, in the process, became one of the defining hardcore bands. Often, they were more notable for their politics than their music, but that was part of their impact. The Kennedys were more inspired by British punk and the fiery, revolutionary-implied politics of the Sex... [+] Read More

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The Dils were one of the biggest draws on the late '70s L.A. punk circuit. Led by harmonizing brothers Chip and Tony Kinman, the group played short, aggressive songs with political lyrics, often from a socialist viewpoint. During the group's four years of existence, it only released three 7-inch singles; all of their albums were posthumous,... [+] Read More

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With the return of the punks in the mid-'90s came a resurgence of their slightly more commercial rivals, new wave bands. No Doubt found a niche as a new wave/ska band, on the strength of vocalist Gwen Stefani's persona -- alternately an embrace of little-girl-lost innocence and riot grrrl feminism -- exemplified on the band's breakout single,... [+] Read More

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A Latino band from Southern California, Plugz created a meld of punk and Hispanic sounds far to the left of Los Lobos without trashing their heritage. Their atmospheric rave-ups can be heard on the soundtrack of the film Repo Man, and some members later become Cruzados. ~ Dan Heilman, All Music Guide

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Living fast and dying young is one of rock's great clichés, but no phrase better describes the reasons for the demise of L.A. punkers the Germs. Capable of creating a firestorm of noisy, confrontational music, they were ultimately undone by their perversely charismatic lead singer. He was a madman named Paul Beahm, better known to the world... [+] Read More

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IMPORTANT UPDATE, MARCH 2007: The Impatiens have broken up! :-( Read this update posted by Emma-O at The Impatiens' MySpace page:
"A message from Emma-O: Goodbye, Impatiens.
Well it brings me much sadness to report that The Impatiens are no longer. I tried to save it, guys, I really did. I did not want it to end, believe me. I will... [+] Read More

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Led by the charismatic Martha Davis, the Motels were one of the most successful and acclaimed bands to emerge from the fertile Los Angeles new wave scene, reaching the Top Ten in 1982 with their biggest hit, "Only the Lonely." Davis formed the group in 1972 while living in Berkeley, CA, recruiting guitarist Dean Chamberlain and bassist Richard... [+] Read More

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One of Southern California's earliest punk bands, the Weirdos released two EPs during the late '70s before breaking up; consistent reunion gigs during the '80s kept their name alive, and the group returned to the studio in 1988 for Condor, released two years later. The backbone -- and only constant members -- of the Weirdos, brothers John and... [+] Read More

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Often referred to as "the Mexican Ramones," the Zeros (guitarist and singer Javier Escovedo, second guitarist Robert Lopez, bassist Hector Peñalosa, and drummer Baba Chenelle) were just one of many contributors to the L.A. punk explosion in the late '70s. Although they never received the acclaim of such L.A. peers as Black Flag, the Circle... [+] Read More

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A product of Southern California's fertile late-'80s and early-'90s power-pop/metal scene, centered around the Whisky-a-Go-Go, the Zippers jumped up to the majors via a contract with MCA. Their only release, however, appeared in 1990. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

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