D.O.A. - May 23, 1985

Punks then and today are largely left wing in their attitudes sans the statist parochialism. Toleration, anti racist attitudes permeated the culture up and down, so there would not have been any peace for a band called "Beat Nigs" under the obvious interpretation of the name.  That said, the Beat Nigs were a San Fransisco experimental hardcore band of African Americans, riffing on the name Beatniks. Aware of the problematic nature, they made their name one word sometime after all this.

Hüsker Dü - May 11, 1986

The Hüskers were another band held in very high esteem that I just could not get into at the time. I've poked around recently though and I think I'd like them today. There's a time and place thing about these old acts where they resonated with you at a point in your life when they felt really important, but this one never spoke to me.  Now, the Descendents are another thing entirely who I adore all out of proportion. Their latest album Hypercaffium Spazzinate from 2016 is amazing. I had a demo tape of the Sea Hags around this time and that got a fair amount of play though they didn't record officially until 1989.

Logo arrangement for the poster one here and the more creative handout version above

D.O.A. - April 24, 1987

Club Can't Tell lasted about as long as the punk scene did in Sacramento (1984-1988) before shuttering. They hosted Iggy Pop, The Germs, and tons of others in the short time they were open.

Camper Van Beethoven - January 30, 1987

The first from the SF Bay Area. CVB  was not my thing at all, but I do wonder if the skinheads enjoyed the bowling?

Toy Dolls - January 23, 1986

This one was for telephone poles - the bottom one for hand outs. And this marks the first time I saw the Sea Hags who I remember being just terrific. I believe I still have their '86 demo around somewhere - great stuff. Here's a taste.