Here’s a review from BigWheelMagazine.com:
The artists village in Downtown Santa Ana is an area known to locals as a territory made up of art galleries, hip bars, restaurants, and modern hippies and hipsters. Saturday January 3rd provided a different scenario for Santa Ana’s artists village, when the Mexican Cultural Center organized a Punk show in which the proceeds would go towards Iraqi orphans.
The Mexican Cultural Center is a small venue that frequently hosts benefit shows for important humanitarian causes such as world hunger and third world needs. The show was organized by volunteer Noor Aljawad, with the help of other volunteers at the Cultural Center. The bands set to play consisted of SM, Sonic Session, RSO, Thought Process, and Media Blitz.
A five dollar donation was required for entrance, and upon arrival, a crowd of people waited near the entrance to go in, while many others sat on the curb or waited across the street while they collected the funds from one another to go in. The show began shortly after 9, and the first band to go up was SM.
Being the first band to play, SM provided a small crowd but generated a first good taste of action in the pit. After SM, Sonic Session played a short set but continued the action of the night that SM commenced. More people began to pack the small venue, more people began to crowd the pit, and Sonic Session played a good set that was demonstrated by the participation of the audience.
By the time Costa Mesa natives RSO took the stage, the Cultural Center was full, sweaty, and humid. The band prompted good vibes off the audience, who indulged in the music by conducting a fast paced pit.
As the night began to reach its end, Thought Process made its way to play, but not on the stage. Thought Process set up their equipment on the floor right in front of the stage, and while it was seemingly risky due to the chaotic crowd running around too near the equipment, Thought Process made it through without a single mishap. Thought Process put on a really great set, they were personally one of my favorites of the night. Thought Process had a sound that was composed of a raw 80s hardcore feel. The band prompted one of the better pits of the night, and not a single individual failed to show their satisfaction in the band’s music.
Lastly, Media Blitz. Every previous Media Blitz show I have ever attended has consisted of the same thing: Brutal fast paced intensely packed pits, and an impressive performance. The Cultural Center’s show was no different; As soon as Media Blitz played their first song, the entire crowd rushed in and began the most hectic pit of the night. In fact, when Media Blitz covered Black Flag’s "Rise Above", the pit got so out of control, that several people flew into the drummer and his drum set, halting the show temporarily. Media Blitz ended the show with Beastie Boys’ "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)." The Beastie Boys song generated eager enthusiasm from the crowd, as they all sang along and danced to the song. An individual in crutches even made his way into the pit for the cover, and he danced the best he could with his broken foot.
When the show was over, people continued to wait around hoping for an encore from Media Blitz, but unfortunately the show was over for good. The members from Thought Process and Media Blitz hung out outside the venue interacting with people after the show’s end. The events of the night were over a little before midnight, but most people were so exhausted from the intense pits, that they headed home to recover from their battle wounds. The show never pertained a dull moment, and was exciting to both observer and participant.
Orange County Punks took over the artists village for a night, but let’s hope it won’t be the last time the Punks conquer the urban area and give it a taste of loud, IN YOUR FACE music and attitude again.
-Stephanie M.- Big Wheel music scene reporter
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