The DOWNTOWN Report: mid-April 2025

By Mike Ritto on April 28, 2025

The Olde Ship Anniversary

We are in the habit of celebrating any business that survives the times, and there have been some rough seas for all downtown businesses over the past few decades. As you can see, the Olde Ship has been here for a remarkable 32 years, and you will miss out unless you drop by and find out why they say, “You’ll be a stranger here but once.” 709 N Harbor.

The Agnew family

Alphie

Rikk

Frank

Gabe Zavala an Jerry Carillo

Movie Night at the Fox

Fullerton’s tributes to our local punk music culture began with a celebration in the plaza and a new exhibit at our Museum Center. 8 days later, on Saturday, April 12, over 650 fans showed up for the showing of “Agnew, the Story of a California family” at the Fox Fullerton.

As advertised, it was a documentary of the Agnew clan, many of whom were in attendance, and of course, included musical interludes that showed just why their non-conformist attitude and high-energy music make the Adolescents so important to their fans.

This was the closest thing to a Hollywood Red Carpet premier that you will find just outside the 30-mile zone, AKA the TMZ, something that used to happen when the Fox Theatre welcomed the likes of Mary Pickford, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, and many other Hollywood icons. A long parade of those who were involved in the punk scene back then and many who are still involved in various ways strutted past the paparazzi while being serenaded by Mariachis during their introduction by red carpet host Chito Cajayon.

Scott Miller at the Fox for the film Agnew.

Last year, it was Mike Ness and Social Distortion being honored here in Fullerton, and now it’s the Adolescents’ turn, right as their seminal “Blue” album turns 44, having been released in April of 1981.

In addition to the Agnew clan, caught on camera were Casey Royer, Jonny “Two bags” Wickersham, Scott Miller, Bax Baxter, Matt Simon, Lisa Fancher, Chett Lehrer, GitaneDemone, Director Gabriel Zavala, Producers John O’Donovan and Kat Monroe (the latter also served as casting director), Robbie Glenn, Katy Carlson, plus many others too numerous to mention here, – we fit in as many photos in as we could.

Avangelene DeVille and Casey Royer

Bax Baxter & friend

Downtown Punk Takeover

Slamming, moshing, and noshing (thanks to Wahoo) followed by much more manic, memorable moshing. The Cuckoos Nest mosh pit resurrected. All the kool kids were there.

Attas and Agnews, Brian, Bryan, and Bax, OC’s top scribes, the Washburns and Beers, the Palms, and we even spotted a Lakeman, plus a host of Kids of the Black Hole, now in their 60s, playing music from the 70s and 80s. Add to that the music of the 2025, gee whiz.

For many, it was a reunion of sorts.
For all, it was a nostalgic evening, but there is a solid current affair with punkdom. With the great turnout for the event

and the interest in memorabilia- instruments, photos, flyers, clothing, records and so much more, one might think it was seen just as a chance to visit something that had been lost, a past glory of sorts. Yet, we discovered that today’s evolving punk culture is alive and not stuck in some wistful notion of the past. Instead, those we spoke to shared their dedicated appreciation for the pioneering music and the attitude that made it happen. That energy never faded for those who slammed the museum, and the plaza, as expected.

Those aforementioned Kids of the Black Hole brought their remaining hairs and heirs and their parents and their kids and grandkids. The 1980s parents finally realized the kids were all right, and yea, they are more than that.

Down in the mosh pit, there is some concern about kiddos being in harm’s way, but as we learned back then, the pit is a tribal dance and a release of frustration and energy that gets fed by the music and the attitude. Just go with the flow and don’t be concerned about an occasional bump or knock. If you are big though…