'The best music scene in California.' A look inside Fresno's indie/hardcore scene
Plus, new music from Gazey Lacey and a punk-fest gig review.
Scene making is a young person’s game.
Not that elder musicians (and associated producers/promoters/fans) are excluded from making contributions (which I say knowingly, with no need to check IDs). But there is a youthful energy that is demanded to create and then sustain a music scene.
See: Fresno’s DIY indie/punk/hard-core scene, as chronicled in this 10-minute mini-documentary from Phillip Garcia.
“Volume of the Valley,” cuts together interviews, photos and live footage of the current crop of young bands tearing it up in mosh pits in backyards and on sidewalks around town.
The themes should ring familiar to anyone who has been part of an underground movement: Finding your own community and space while struggling against oppressors and authority. “It was cool. The cops came in. It got crazy,” says Brujoz bassist Mikey, in recounting a show that got shut down by the police.
There are some familiar faces here, too, including Jackie Bootstraps and that long-haired guy from Great Day talking with his hands around the 2:15 minute mark.
This is Garcia documenting his scene. He plays drums two bands; Inspite and Dog Eat Dog (the latter just released a 3-song demo EP).
According to Garcia an extended cut of the documentary is in the works.
New music: ‘Chuy,’ Gazey Lacey
“Chuy” is the latest release from Fresno bedroom indie-pop rocker Gazey Lacey, aka David Ramos, recorded here with his full band, though still on a tablet in a makeshift home studio.
“Make Up” and “Why” do that quiet/loud/quiet (or is it loud/quiet/loud?) almost shoegaze thing. “June,” stays mellow, with Ramos’ breathy vocals ruminating on the upcoming birth of his son (expected later this month).
“Chuy” is available across digital platforms now. The band plays June 14 as part of the Urban Canvas event at the Van Ness Village. You can hear the full EP below or tune into an interview with Ramos and the band on tonight’s Home Grown show.
Gig review: Lucky 13 Entertainment 2025 Festival Invades Fresno
A day-long punk festival outdoors in June in Fresno sounds hot (and also hott, as in the fire emoji, or whatever).
And so it was with Lucky 13’s 2025 invasion of Fresno. On both accounts.
This is Lucky 13 Entertainment’s first foray into the punk fest world, after promoting shows and providing sound equipment/support at area venues for the past few years.
The idea was to curate the day with all their favorites, both the locals, but also bands they’ve connect with while traveling across the state with Out of the Ring.
The lineup: There were more than 20 bands, starting just after noon and it’s doubtful many people saw them all. I missed a few of the earlier acts and also the last few, but managed for most of the day.
This was a punk festival, but within that, a real mash-up stylistically. You had the Ramones-core set (Mantis Watch, Space Vampires); the aggro-thrash group (Trash and Privilege, the Noids, Fire Drill); some more pop skate punk (Carry the 9, Outpatient X) and an eclectic mix of tangential stuff (Paris on Fire, the Young Barons, Cherry Auction, the Cheesebergens). The diversity was a strength.
This is a gig review, so:
Everything was well organized and running on time (or as much as can be expected for this kind of thing). There were two stages that flipped back and forth, so as one band was finishing another was starting up. The sound and production were on point (from the stage as a performer), although the Stage 1 probably needed lighting once the sun went down.
Even as well hydrated as I was, there were rough moments during the show when I felt a pass out coming. But we (It’ll Grow Back) played well and were well received.
At the very least, we surprised a few people, which is always fun.
Fresno Family Folk Hour
Tioga Sequoia actually hosted two events on Saturday.
While the punkers were raging outside, the folksters were playing in the brewery’s Lookout Room, which has gotten a glow up since I played there last. The intimate stage set up (a recent change) really works for the Fresno Family Folk Hour, which is one of Fresno’s best reoccurring events, right now.
Again, diversity is the thing here. While this is essentially an acoustic folk performance (think VH1’s storytellers in tone) the breadth of styles within is vast and Luke Freeman (Brother Luke of the Comrades) has a knack for curating these lineups. It’s a great way to discover new (to you) artists. Follow
That’s it for this week. Remember you can now hear me on the Homegrown Show Sundays at 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1 FM. Tonight I’m in studio with new music from Gazey Lacey. Follow my other writing at The Fresno Bee. If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com