Sorely lacking the Vet's Hall shows we've taken for granted, they caravan up or down the coast in search of shows and good records. Boredom has had its productive side, spawning bands like Amagdala , Punch Drunk , Dinkus , Brown Trout and Radioactive Lunch , which all have fallen by the wayside in a scene starving for support. The suburbs are also home to a mature graffiti and skateboarding culture. The downside is abundant alcohol and drug abuse, petty crime and a high drop-out rate. Finding venue space is a constant struggle.
Public venues are equally problematic.
The Pony Express in Redwood City, one of the only significant all-ages spaces in the area, failed health inspection and closed in '91. Attempts to open or maintain venues for young people are still being made from within the scene, but with scattered support, it's difficult. The efforts of promoters, bands and active kids is at the heart of any underground scene. In Santa Cruz ,a combination of hard work and local support has kept it alive. We should take good care of what we have, because one day it may all disappear in a cloud of Mini-Van exhaust.