Tag: punk style

Punk Style at Lethal Amounts Gallery

k150_28Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDArt and counterculture often go hand in hand and no gallery in LA acknowledges that more than Lethal Amounts near downtown LA. The gallery showcases art and photography by and of people of rock ‘n’ roll scenes of the past who have grown to iconic status and influenced both street fashion and musical movements. Lethal Amounts exhibit openings are usually not-to-be-missed events where you’ll often bump into some famous names and familiar faces of the local LA scenes and beyond. Exhibit openings are often followed by an after party at the neighboring Monty Bar, so the party can go all night long!

Lethal Amounts Gallery LA

On a recent night, Lethal Amounts featured an exhibit celebrating “Lobotomy: The Brainless Magazine,” a fanzine founded by legendary punk scenester Pleasant Gehman in 1978. Copies of the cut ‘n’ pasted, often handwritten ‘zine became art along with photos by chief photographer Theresa Kereakes, whose images of such bands as The Cramps, The Ramones, Blondie, The Germs and the Go-Go’s have since become iconic and historical references for that time period.

lobotomyCovers

 

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Lobotomy existed at the time when punk was still considered “underground music” and there were few barriers put up by record companies and publicists to block access to the bands. Pleasant and her clever team knew almost everyone in the club scene and those who worked the legendary Tropicana Hotel, where most of the bands stayed while in town, so it was easy for her to approach bands directly to ask for an interview. Punk legends The Cramps, The Damned, The Clash, Billy Idol, The Go Gos, The Jam and Joan Jett were all featured in Lobotomy. Along with other Los Angeles fanzines Slash and Flipside, Lobotomy paved the way for DIY publishing and gave the punk scene a voice.

Also on display that night were photos by David Arnoff of the Cramps, Misfits, Siouxsie and the Dead Boys, which provided a nice complement to the main exhibit.

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Spotted in the crowd were Miss Mercy of the GTOs, Blondie’s Clem Burke, DJ/musician Howie Pyro, and Pleasant’s former Disgraceland roommates Iris Berry and Ash Shown. The legendary punk flophouse is currently the subject of a documentary-in-progress that was filming at the reception.

Kastle Waserman and Clem Burke from Blondie, Lethal Amounts Gallery reception March 2016
with Clem Burke from Blondie

 

Former Disgraceland residents Iris Berry and Ash Shown
Former Disgraceland residents Iris Berry and Ash Shown

What I Wore

As punk teenager growing up in Houston, I heard all about Disgraceland and the punk scene in LA, it was one of the reasons I moved here. Back then I had a giant black Mohawk and studded leather jacket (see photo here!) These days my punk style is a little more subtle and chic. So for this art opening, I pulled out a black tank top paired with a double-layered, black, pinstripe vest. Black and white pinstripes are always my staple look of punk style, probably because that’s what I saw many of my idols wear. I added a pop of color with a green pencil and a bit of danger with silver, spiky studded stilettos. I could seriously hurt someone in these, they are sharp! My big roomy Lux DeVille handbag is always a go-to and reminds me of the car interior of a hotrod. And of course, I keep warm with my trusty moto jacket.

OOTD Punk Style

punk accessories

Dressing with Modern Punk Style

While you can take punk style to the full hardcore extreme of black leather and studs, it’s also fun to put a girly twist on it, such as pairing a tough, studded, black, vegan leather vest with bubblegum pink studded heels. Then put the power of the press on your back with a newspaper print bag. Let the punk details shine with a muted pencil skirt in grey to add some slinkiness to the silhouette. Click the links to shop* this look!

Punk Style

 

Be sure to check out Lethal Amounts to get your fill of rock ‘n’ roll’s alternative history!

Lethal Amounts Gallery is located at 1226 W. 7th St Los Angeles Ca 90017

Ready, steady, go!
Kastle

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Tag: punk style

Getting Nutty at the Edison in Punk Pinup Fashion

k150_27 Stiletto_City_heel_iconSZDIt’s not often I venture out clubbing on a weeknight but every once in a while the stars align for a cool event at an early enough time that I can still get my beauty sleep.

The Edison is one of my favorite bars in Downtown LA for the visual pleasure alone. Featuring award winning interior design by Andrew Meieran, the nightspot is located in the subbasement of the historic Higgins Building and retains the architectural and mechanical artifacts of the original space that served as Downtown LA’s first private power plant. The design works around industrial generators and furnaces lavishly layered with a combination of art nouveau touches and gothic textures and lit in deep shades of gold and red. It just feels decadent and elegant at the same time. Check out the scene:

The Edison, Downtown Los Angeles

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The bar often features live music and performances that fit the atmosphere in the form of cabaret, burlesque and jazz acts. On this particular night I went down to see the band Nutty, who call themselves a “hard-swingin’ octet” who create jazz arrangements around classic pop and rock song performed with the swagger and style reminiscent of the Rat Pack. I especially liked their versions of “Ballroom Blitz”, “Detroit Rock City” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”

Nutty at The Edison, Downtown Los Angeles

Singer Sonny Moon definitely got looser as the night went on the and the drinks went down, dancing with the girls on the dancefloor and struttin’ his stuff on stage. His cocky character fit the bill perfectly and got a few laughs when he stopped in the middle of their version of “Knights In White Satin” to do a little spoken word read from “The One Hour Orgasm.”

What I Wore

For the night I decided to do my own outfit mashup of punk pinup fashion, combining a vintage dress, retro hair, studded belt and spike earrings. My gal pal Eva went for a vintage Polynesian look and sampled the bar’s fantastic cucumber cocktail.

Vintage Punk Pinup

spike earrings

vintage tiki look

 

How to Dress in Punk Pinup Fashion

Punk and Pinup style seem to be go well together. I know lots of pinup girls who love punk rock as well as rockabilly and both looks go to the extreme in their subculture aesthetics. For a look of punk pinup fashion, try pairing a sweet, retro dress like this floral one or search for a vintage dress on Ebay. Juxtapose punk accessories with it to toughen it up. Here, a studded black belt plays off the grey tones in the floral print for an edgy fashion statement. A leather barbed wire accented bracelet cuff toughens the look further. For shoes, slip on some classic black pumps with studs to continue the punk theme that says you’re a rocker chick with an elegant touch. Then carry all your necessities for the night in a black, leather-style purse with silver chair detail. (Click the links to shop* the look!)

Punk Pinup Fashion

 

Try out this fun fashion statement next time you head to the bars in downtown LA or wherever you are!

The Edison is located at 108 W 2nd St #101, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Check the website for upcoming events.

Go get nutty,
Kastle

 

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