There is nothing like catching a tight, loud band in a small, cramped club. Here is Randy Stodola of The Alley Cats at the Hong Kong Café in Chinatown, Los Angeles, 1979. This band was one of my favorites. With Diane Chai and John McCarthy rounding out this incredible punk trio, the crowds filled the club up for each of their performances. And it sure got fast and loud. That’s why Esther Wong—the owner of Madame Wong’s across the way—would no longer book punk bands in her venue, especially, she said, bands with girls in them because they caused too much havoc.
The much tamer Motels were the only exception.