This Counter Culture special dives into a genre close to my heart — West Coast punk in its first explosive wave. I was 17 or 18 at the time, seeing many of these bands in tiny rooms, basements, and makeshift art spaces. What struck me then, and still does now, is how the West Coast scene managed to embrace and reject the wider punk movement simultaneously.
The sound often echoed the English bands of the era, but the attitude, the humour, the musicianship — and the sheer weirdness — were uniquely Californian. Much of this music came out on the legendary Dangerhouse label, whose compilation Yes L.A. was a cheeky counterpunch to No New York. Other small labels played their part too, but Dangerhouse was the beating heart.
Here’s the first batch — all from 1977–78, all foundational, all brilliant.
1. The Zeros – Wild Weekend
Their best single by far — a blazing Ramones‑inspired rush, but with their own Latin punk swagger. I saw them in September ’78 in a tiny Portland basement. One hour of thunderous rock that rivalled The Who for sheer physical impact. Sweat literally dripped from the walls.
2. The Avengers – Car Crash
I caught them in Portland in late ’78 at The New Arts Center. A great set from a band best known for opening the Sex Pistols’ final show at Winterland. A San Francisco staple who later reformed many times — always worth seeing. The guitar tone on this Dangerhouse single is phenomenal.
3. Black Flag – Nervous Breakdown
Saw them in ’79 at the Hong Kong Café in LA during my first year of engineering school. Keith Morris — later of Circle Jerks and OFF! — was at his absolute peak here. No punk fashion, no posing, just raw South Bay attitude. This SST single (’78) is pure 4/4 punk before speedcore existed. The vocal fade‑out is a killer touch.
4. The Weirdos – Life of Crime
Their first single on Bomp! Records — genius from the start. Bomp! once claimed they were more exciting live than the Pistols. Not quite, but the Denney brothers created something uniquely their own. I saw them at The New Arts Center in early autumn ’78.
5. X – Adult Books
Before the slick Ray Manzarek‑produced debut album (complete with the obligatory Doors cover), X released this quirky, brilliant Dangerhouse single. Off‑kilter intro, tight harmonies, and a beat that snaps into place. I saw them in LA around ’79–80 and many times after, but this first single remains my favourite.
6. The Dils – Class War
Another Dangerhouse classic. My band, The Ziplocs, opened for them in May ’79. This was their second single (’77/’78), with a guitar solo that hangs back half a measure — a perfect punk‑rock tension. They later formed Rank and File, but the early material is where the magic lives.
7. The Deadbeats – Kill the Hippies
A one‑off masterpiece from Geza X Gideon — a true renaissance figure of early LA punk. His “Ask Geza X” column in Slash magazine was legendary. The lyrics here are priceless, and the Dangerhouse production captures the chaos perfectly.
8. The Wipers – Better Off Dead
Portland’s most luminous, luminary band. This single predates their astonishing debut album. I saw their first show and their last with the original lineup two years later. My band opened for them a few times, and Greg Sage once pogoed to one of our sets — something he’d never done before or since. Nirvana later covered “D‑7” and “Return of the Rat,” but this first single is the true beginning.
By Jeff Williams
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