Punk Turns 30

Black Randy performing as Mexican Randy, with Belinda Carlisle on backing vocals, 1978 Cinco de Mayo - the 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day - but it does celebrate and acknowledge a Mexican victory. On May 5, 1862, the Mexican Army kicked the French Army's ass at Puebla. Napoleon III had moved into Mexico in an attempt to rule it. A year later, the French did seize Mexico's government, but their reign lasted only a year before they were again ousted and the French-installed dictator (Maximilian) executed... In the Mexican region of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated, but the rest of the country does not revere the date as much as Californians do. Californians have been celebrating Cinco de May continuously since the first anniversary of the battle at Puebla. Culturally, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Hispanic/Latino heritage, and today's photo array tips the hat to the Mexican influence on LA punk rock. Eddie Munoz, The Plimsouls The guitar ace from Texas, Plim...

First of all, let me say that we had an absolutely stellar day yesterday, in terms of visits to this site. I can only credit the Cramps and the amazing Poison Ivy Rorschach, who is the cool next to Lux's creepy and crazy. It is not easy to be at the helm in a man's world, or even co-helming with a man in a man's world. Cuz Soul Brother #1 James Brown told you long ago, "It's a Man's World." No doubt about it. And punk rock was hardly different. I was moved to the point of saying out loud, "Right on sister," when I read the interview between Alice Bag and punk photographer, Debbie Schow on Alice's blog. (highly recommended reading for all, especially the girls and women of punk rock. It's most definitely, "right on sister" material.) So, here's another American guitar-slinging lady leading a band of men. Chrissie Hynde, the nice, smart girl from Ohio who decamped to London and made her mark in music first as a...