Under perfect Southern California spring skies, the courtyard of the Fullerton Museum Center transformed into ground zero for a punk rock homecoming as local legends T.S.O.L. and D.I. took the stage to launch the museum’s new exhibit, “Punk OC: From the Streets of Suburbia.” The sold-out show drew a multi-generational crowd that proved Orange County’s punk scene isn’t just history – it’s still very much alive.
The museum’s new exhibit, running through August 10th, chronicles how Orange County and specifically Fullerton became an unlikely epicenter for punk rock in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. Unlike the urban decay that spawned punk in places like New York and London, OC’s scene emerged from suburban discontent – kids surrounded by manicured lawns and swimming pools who still felt alienated and found community through raw, angry music.
The night kicked off with The Vandals’ Joe Escalante spinning classic punk tracks while vendors, food stands, and a packed bar created a carnival-like atmosphere around the museum entrance. Comedian Chris Estrada served as MC, contextualizing the importance of Orange County in punk rock history before introducing the night’s first act.
Fullerton’s own D.I. took the stage with hometown advantage, front-man Casey Royer commanding immediate attention.
The band, formed in 1981 after Royer’s stint with The Adolescents, delivered a tight 13-song set that demonstrated why they’ve endured for over four decades.
Royer’s charisma hasn’t diminished with age – he bantered with bassist Eddie Tatar between songs, trading jokes and sharing stories of early Fullerton punk days.
In a touching moment, Royer acknowledged his mother in the front row, pointing out the surreal full-circle moment of playing a museum show in the town where he once caused trouble.
The crowd erupted when D.I. launched into “Amoeba,” their anthemic track that remains a staple of Southern California punk playlists.
Royer paused mid-set to acknowledge fans that couldn’t score tickets to the sold-out show but had filled the adjacent parking structure for a distant view. “That’s the most punk rock thing I’ve seen here today!” he declared.
D.I.’s set covered their essentials, from “Johnny’s Got a Problem” to “Richard Hung Himself,” concluding with fan favorites “Obnoxious” and “Pervert Nurse.” The band’s performance demonstrated the staying power of their fast, melodic punk, somehow both nostalgic and still vital.
Following a brief changeover, T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty) hit the stage with front-man Jack Grisham sporting his trademark smirk. The Long Beach/Huntington Beach-originated band, whose early ‘80s albums like “Dance With Me” and “Beneath the Shadows” helped define the sound of Southern California punk, delivered an explosive 20-song set spanning their evolution from hardcore to gothic-tinged punk.
Grisham, now in his 60s but showing no signs of mellowing, controlled the stage with veteran confidence and trademark swagger, alternately teasing the crowd about their responsiveness and sharing stories between songs. The band – including original guitarist Ron Emory and longtime keyboardist Greg Kuehn – sounded remarkably tight, delivering classics like “Sounds of Laughter” and “Abolish Government” with precision and energy.
The night produced several unscripted moments that captured the essence of punk’s community spirit. A young fan jumped the barricade, ran onstage to embrace Grisham and scream into the mic, performed an impromptu backflip, and dove back into the crowd. Grisham, momentarily startled, recovered with humor: “I wasn’t sure if he was going to stab me,” before praising the kid’s gymnastic skills.
In another memorable moment, Grisham noticed a young man holding up his phone with a message throughout the show. Between songs, the front-man left the stage to read it: “Can I play drums on ‘Dance With Me’?” Without hesitation, Grisham invited the fan – identified only as Robert from San Clemente – to take over the kit for the band’s signature hit. The young drummer counted in and nailed the performance, prompting a wide grin from Grisham throughout the song.
The night closed with a surprise appearance from original T.S.O.L. bassist Mike Roche, who has been sidelined by Parkinson’s disease in recent years. Roche joined the band for a crowd-erupting rendition of “Code Blue,” their controversial 1981 track that remains as shocking today as it was upon release.
Throughout both sets, the mosh pit swirled with a mix of gray-haired original scene members and teenagers. The multi-generational aspect felt significant – a testament to how Orange County’s punk legacy continues to resonate.
What was most striking about the evening wasn’t just the music – though both bands played with remarkable energy and precision – but the sense of place. As Royer and Grisham shared stories between songs, it became clear how deeply Fullerton and Orange County had shaped these musicians and their sound. The landscape that once seemed so confining to suburban teens had produced a cultural movement with global impact.
The “Punk OC” exhibit itself offers context for the uninitiated, displaying rare memorabilia and showcasing how this seemingly quiet suburban landscape birthed some of punk’s most influential sounds. But the live performances brought this history to life in a way no museum display could capture alone.
As the crowd dispersed into the warm Fullerton night, many headed into the museum to explore the exhibit, connecting the music they’d just experienced with the artifacts of a scene that changed American music. For a style often associated with youth, punk showed remarkable maturity at the Fullerton Museum – not by mellowing, but by proving its lasting cultural significance.
“Punk OC: From the Streets of Suburbia” runs through August 10th at the Fullerton Museum Center.
