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Chinatown Punk Wars

Two Chinese restaurants became the unlikely epicenter of L.A.’s burgeoning punk scene.

In the late 1970s, two Chinese restaurants became the unlikely epicenter of L.A.’s burgeoning punk scene. The emerging music form featured fast-paced songs and hard-edged melodies with anti-capitalist messaging. As told through interviews with John Doe (X), Alice Bag (The Bags), Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, Black Flag, OFF!), and Martin Wong (Save Music in Chinatown).

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Alice Bag performs with The Bags at Hong Kong Cafe in 1979 as featured in ARTBOUND Season 14 "Chinatown Punk Wars." Courtesy of Louis Jacinto.
Full episode
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Punk Rises in 1970s Los Angeles (Clip)
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The "Flyer Wars" between Hong Kong Cafe and Madame Wong's (Clip)
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The Los Angeles Punk Scene and its Decline (Clip)
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