- Post date
- 13 May 2018
- Caption
- Recently, I had a conversation with Mario Luna, one of Viernes 13 founding members. We talked about the band’s very first show with their singer J.P. and drummer Mickey, who would become the core of one of LÁ most iconic & enduring ska bands. It was this summer 1999 show right at the legendary Paramount Ballroom on Brooklyn/César Chávez Avenue. It was called Anti-Doto as we really wanted to do an LA underground show that was a response to the more corporate Watcha Tour LA date. Hey, we were young, idealists and the Watcha was at The Greek. that’s an all-seats, no-dancing venue. So, going to a rock concert there is boring AF.
This older crusty punk promoter who did shows under Bullocks moniker was the contact with the ballroom’s owners. The gig’s line-up was solid: Calavera, Los Olvidados, Las 15 Letras. From Tijuana Almalafa and Los Kung Fu Monkeys. Plus, Los Rocking Babalus and the last-minute addition of this South Gate band called Viernes 13. The day of the show I almost regretted booking them. The drummer showed up with an enormous double bass drum set that he insisted on using it! (as opposed to the drum set designed for all bands). Then, this pachuco tall dude with a goatee and quite an attitude came up asking all kinds of questions. V13 were not to be messed with. After our initial tense meet-up at this show, we eventually hit it off and collaborated on countless of shows. To this day, I consider Viernes 13 one of the essential LÁ bands and it all started at The Paramount.
Now about the ballroom, back then I knew absolutely nothing of its rich history. It served as meeting hall for the radical Jewish Bakers Union. It was also the site for many of the Chicano rock and roll shows of the 1960s & 1970s. Plus, at times it served as the home of The Vex, the East Los pioneering punk club. Currently the Paramount hosts the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory that does amazing work with the youth. Hence, the Paramount has long been “the epicenter of Eastside memories” as one of our foremost cultural producers, Rubén “Funkahuat” Guevara has eloquently stated. Here is the flyer, the set-times for the show (with V13 added in), and the rental venue contract!
- Location
- Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory
- Type
- set list
- View on Instagram
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BivwOcIh6Ee/