by Diane Gamboa, 2005

The Unpopular Culture series of black and white photographs presents a view of L.A. history from 1980 to 1983. A hand held 35mm camera and existing lighting set the tone, blur and mood of the images. It was a unique time just before the outbreak of technology, mass consumption, and the pre-packaged entertainment of this millennium. The city skyline was young, and no one had a cell phone.

Ritchie Valens and his raw guitar pulled me into music, and his Big Baby Blues provided the beat for many nights to come. Jumping in and out of cars on our way to the next show, slam dance, not so permanent marker body art, dire devil tactic, and maybe a wild kiss.

The camera cropped as the bands played in large studios, small bars, backyard parties, underground clubs and roof tops.

Vex (a club in East Los Angeles) was the starting point as sound waves crossed the 6th street bridge both ways from East Los Angeles to Hollywood, Chinatown, Pasadena, Downtown and beyond. The days of wine and rosaries play in the head like a silent film with selected music playing over the memories.

The Unpopular Culture series is a chronological look into a specific and significant period of punks that rock, cool cats and bad dogs.