The Gauntlet

Abstract

The Gauntlet II was a leather bar that notably hosted queercore showcase "The Freak Show" and welcomed queercore bands throughout LA to perform as regulars. Queercore, not exactly a subgenre of punk, but rather a divergent response to the sexism and homophobia of the punk scene, sought to not only dismantle these prejudices amidst the punk scene but also speak out against the growing conservatism of the gay and lesbian mainstream. 

Content

One venue that popularly featured queercore bands in the 90s was the "The Freak Show" hosted by leather bar The Gauntlet II (now known as The Eagle) in Silver Lake at 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029. The club had a twenty-one year run under the name and ownership of The Gauntlet II from 1983-2005, during which Edward Hibbs, aka Gogo-Eddie emceeed and hosted events such as The Freak Show, which featured local queercore bands like Best Revenge, IAMLOVED, and Nick Name and The Normals (aka Kent James). Best Revenge, a popular LA queercore band and regulars on stage at the Gauntlet II, was formed by Ryan Revenge (vocals/guitar) and KT (bass/vocals) in 1998. The two were previously in a band called Happybomb while attending college at the University of Southern California. Best Revenge eventually went on to sign a record deal with the small Venice, California based punk/queercore label Spitshine Records, which also released local acts like IAMLOVED, $3 Puta, Brian Grillo (of Extra Fancy and Lock Up), Hot-N-Heavy, the Sharpease and a Freak Show compilation CD.

freakshow0308.jpg
gauntlet ii.jpg
old photo of chuck at the monthly club freakshow at the la eagle bar originally gauntlet ii in silverlake.jpg

jds1 1.jpg
jds1 2.jpg
jds1 3.jpg
jds1 4.jpg
jds1 5.jpg
6.jpg
7.jpg
8.jpg
9.jpg
10.jpg
11.jpg
12.jpg
13.jpg
14.jpg
15.jpg
16.jpg
17.jpg
18.jpg
19.jpg
20.jpg
21.jpg
22.jpg
23.jpg
24.jpg
25.jpg
26.jpg
27.jpg
28.jpg
29.jpg

Places

Gauntlet

Thu, 08/16/2018

Fais Do Do

Fais Do Do was an East. L.A. music venue that hosted the final night of Scutterfest 2002, a music festival formed out of the punk rock queer zine Scutter. Scutter was self-published by Chicano queer and Los Angeles native Rudy Bleu, who formed the magazine to create a relatable space for other queer people of the punk rock scene.
The Smell

The Smell is a famously all-ages LGBT-friendly music venue with a legacy of hosting queercore performers since its opening in 1998. Queercore, not exactly a subgenre of punk, but rather a divergent response to the sexism and homophobia of the punk scene, sought to not only dismantle these prejudices amidst the punk scene but also speak out against the growing conservatism of the gay and lesbian mainstream.
The Coconut Teaszer

The Coconut Teaszer was a Hollywood nightclub known for hosting a weekly after-hours club that offered a performance platform for queer Chicanx punk bands from 1992-2003.
Al’s Bar

Located at the American Hotel, Al's Bar was a hotspot for downtown Los Angeles' art and music scenes. At the time of its closing in 2001, Al's Bar was known as Los Angeles' oldest punk club. Bands and singers that played there over the years included: Beck, DNA/Arto Lindsay, Ry Cooder, The Fall, Fear, Hole, Hüsker Dü, Imperial Butt Wizards, Los Lobos, Social Distortion, Mighty Joe Young, Nirvana, The Party Boys, The Residents, Sonic Youth, Urge Overkill, Wall of Voodoo, and Dwight Yoakam.
Vex

Vex is a venue famous for being a hotspot for Latinx members of the punk scene, particularly during the Chicano punk movement of the late 1970s. Queercore, not exactly a subgenre of punk, but rather a divergent response to the sexism and homophobia of the punk scene, sought to not only dismantle these prejudices amidst the punk scene but also speak out against the growing conservatism of the gay and lesbian mainstream.
Mr. T’s Bowl

Abstract

Mr. T's Bowl was a venue notably used to host queercore punk bands during the 2002 first installment of the zine-inspired music festival, Scutterfest.
Vex

Abstract

Vex is a venue famous for being a hotspot for Latinx members of the punk scene, particularly during the Chicano punk movement of the late 1970s. Queercore, not exactly a subgenre of punk, but rather a divergent response to the sexism and homophobia of the punk scene, sought to not only dismantle these prejudices amidst the punk scene but also speak out against the growing conservatism of the gay and lesbian mainstream. 

California Chicanx Punk Biography: Los Illegals The Vex and Chicano Punk: A Very Brief History
Al’s Bar

Abstract

Located at the American Hotel, Al's Bar was a hotspot for downtown Los Angeles' art and music scenes. At the time of its closing in 2001, Al's Bar was known as Los Angeles' oldest punk club. Bands and singers that played there over the years included: Beck, DNA/Arto Lindsay, Ry Cooder, The Fall, Fear, Hole, Hüsker Dü, Imperial Butt Wizards, Los Lobos, Social Distortion, Mighty Joe Young, Nirvana, The Party Boys, The Residents, Sonic Youth, Urge Overkill, Wall of Voodoo, and Dwight Yoakam.  

Flyer Advertising the One-Year Anniversary of Red Hot Chili Peppers Performing … Daily Trojan, September 14, 1988 - Changes to Al's Bar Lineup
Mr. T’s Bowl

Mr. T's Bowl was a venue notably used to host queercore punk bands during the 2002 first installment of the zine-inspired music festival, Scutterfest. 
The Coconut Teaszer

Abstract

The Coconut Teaszer was a Hollywood nightclub known for hosting a weekly after-hours club that offered a performance platform for queer Chicanx punk bands from 1992-2003.

L.A. Nightlife Gone: Does Your Mama Know? 1992–2003
The Smell

Abstract

The Smell is a famously all-ages LGBT-friendly music venue with a legacy of hosting queercore performers since its opening in 1998. Queercore, not exactly a subgenre of punk, but rather a divergent response to the sexism and homophobia of the punk scene, sought to not only dismantle these prejudices amidst the punk scene but also speak out against the growing conservatism of the gay and lesbian mainstream. 

Much More Than a DIY Haven, The Smell Is One of LA’s Most Queer-Friendly Spaces
Fais Do Do

Abstract

Fais Do Do was an East. L.A. music venue that hosted the final night of Scutterfest 2002, a music festival formed out of the punk rock queer zine Scutter. Scutter was self-published by Chicano queer and Los Angeles native Rudy Bleu, who formed the magazine to create a relatable space for other queer people of the punk rock scene. 
Gauntlet

Abstract

The Gauntlet II was a leather bar that notably hosted queercore showcase "The Freak Show" and welcomed queercore bands throughout LA to perform as regulars. Queercore, not exactly a subgenre of punk, but rather a divergent response to the sexism and homophobia of the punk scene, sought to not only dismantle these prejudices amidst the punk scene but also speak out against the growing conservatism of the gay and lesbian mainstream.

The Gauntlet

Gauntlet

Related Content

Fais Do Do

The Smell

The Coconut Teaszer

Al’s Bar

Vex

Mr. T’s Bowl

Vex

Al’s Bar

Mr. T’s Bowl

The Coconut Teaszer

The Smell

Fais Do Do

Gauntlet