The punk-rock scene is alive and kicking. And in its’ honor, the Claremont Museum of Art is hosting a multi-medium exhibit to showcase its history. Through performance, film, photography and art, “The Vixen- Female Voices from East L.A. Punk” exhibit provides an overview of the women behind East L.A.’s early 80’s punk scene. Honoring female musicians and celebrating the triumphs of an ongoing struggle, the museum will welcome East L.A.’s punk bands “Go Betty Go” and “The Sirens” to perform at its closing reception. We caught up with “The Sirens” at their last show where we spoke about their honored participation in the event, the hardships of being a female musician in a male-dominated industry and about the women who paved way for up an coming female punk musicians.
The Vex, the Women, The Sirens
The exhibit was named in memory of east L.A.’s club “The Vex” which was housed by the community’s art center Self Help Graphics. Opening its doors in early 1980, The Vex fed the need for a venue that catered to Chicano punk musicians and to the east L.A. community. Some of the women that went against the era’s gender roles and social demeanors, were women such as Alice Brag who by playing in punk-bands and knocking from door to door helped wave way for female punk-bands to come. Such is the case with Highland Park based band “The Sirens”. Although the band has caught the attention of numerous media outlets since their debut in 2004, it was their requested participation in the exhibit that they consider pivotal in their career. “When they asked us to play we were like, hell yeah!” states Dejah, bassist to the band “we’re honored to play with people who helped women be recognized within the punk-rock scene.”
The band whose influences are rooted in punk, rock and the traditional folklore of their Mexican heritage, is the outcome of more than twenty years worth of knocking on doors. And although the punk-rock scene has kept itself healthy with bands such as Go Betty Go, the young, all-girls band knows exactly what it means to be a struggling female musician. “Many people are skeptical of our talent,” states Dejah “they see a group of young girls and they automatically perceive us as rookies, but as soon as we get off stage they’re asking us to sign their T-shirts!”
To add fuel to the fire, the bands’ oldest member just recently turned the big 1-9 which makes The Sirens one of the youngest punk-rock bands in the scene. “Right before this interview someone asked me if I was 13,” recalls Marina, lead guitarist to the band “I just turned 19, but considering that I’m somewhat successful at such a young age is an awesome experience.”
“Also,” adds Jasmin, drummer to The Sirens “being categorized among musicians such as Alice Brag is a huge honor for us. Taking part of the exhibit is one of the most important thing that’s happened to us.”
Along with welcoming female punk pioneers, the exhibit also welcomes a new generation of artists that have been greatly influenced by the female punk-rock social movement of the era. Photographer Chris TV who is known for documenting the current music scene through his camera lens will be among the crowd of new-generation participants. The exhibit closes off with visual presentations, performances and a networking atmosphere on Saturday, August 30th @ 8:00p.m.
Punk Rock Scene in the early 80’s
The venue: The Vex, Madame Wong’s, The Dustbowl, a stranger’s backyard
The musicians: The Brat,The Plugz, Odd Squad, Felix and the Katz
Punk Rock Scene in 2008
The venue: The Echoplex, The Troubador, The Derby, a stranger’s backyard
The musicians: Subsistencia, Teenage Rage, Union 13, Marble, Tezacrifico, Los Kung
Fu Monkeys, Los Villains
