The Fullerton Museum Center is about to launch a new exhibit that spotlights Orange County’s deep-rooted punk scene and the city of Fullerton’s prominent place in punk rock history. “Punk OC: From the Streets of Suburbia” opens April 5th and runs through August 10th, 2025, giving visitors a raw look at how this seemingly quiet OC suburban landscape birthed some of punk rock’s most influential sounds.
While most 1970s punk scenes grew from urban decay and visible social problems, Orange County’s movement sprang from a different kind of discontent – suburban youth who felt disconnected from their manicured surroundings and found refuge in creating their own rebellious culture.
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The exhibition chronicles how OC and Fullerton became an unlikely hub for punk rock, where outcasts found each other and created music that would echo far beyond city and county lines.
Visitors will see rare memorabilia and learn about the local venues that hosted this musical revolution.
Opening night of the exhibit kicks off with a bang on Saturday, April 5th from 6-9pm, featuring live performances by local punk legends D.I. and T.S.O.L., with The Vandals’ Joe Escalante spinning records and comedian Chris Estrada serving as MC.
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As part of the special events for the exhibit, the museum will celebrate Fullerton’s very own punk rock royalty, the Agnew family (Rikk, Frank, and Alfie), with a special screening of “Agnew the Concert Film”.
The screening will take place Friday, April 11th in the museum’s Wilshire Room.
This 58-minute documentary showcases the Agnew brothers performing their biggest hits from bands including the Adolescents, Christian Death, T.S.O.L., and D.I.
The film captures these OC punk pioneers alongside guest singers delivering powerful renditions of their classic tracks – a must-see for anyone wanting to celebrate the family that helped shape Orange County’s outsized influence on punk music history.
