Knuckleheadz to the Rescue
WHITTIER CA USA – In a remarkable display of solidarity and support, the Knuckleheadz band and the Punk Rock Fight Club hosted a Fuck Cancer benefit concert for 17-year-old Cesar Lopez II. The event was not only a night of intense punk rock but also a heartwarming effort by the band, club, and community that raised more than $6,000 for Little Cesar's medical expenses.
Cesar, a senior in High School with aspirations to become a firefighter, told me he has been battling cancer since the age of nine. “One day my lip began to swell, and from that point, I have been through numerous surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy.” During our conversation, I was not only taken aback by ‘Little Cesar’ (an ironic nickname) standing at least 6 foot 4 inches tall but also by his respectful tone and politeness. He called me sir so many times it made me feel uncomfortable. Although the Lopez family has Medical insurance, Cesar's condition requires specialists who are not covered, resulting in extreme financial hardship for the family.
The idea for the benefit concert emerged, and the Knuckleheadz, with a desire to make a positive impact in their community, quickly organized the event.
The gentlemen secured SoCal hardcore favorites The Narcoleptic Youth as the headliner and built a large lineup of heavy hitters consisting of Ynoe, ChiknShit, CHAINxWOLFx, SPILT, Weaponized, and of course, the Knuckleheadz themselves. The event had a strongly suggested minimum contribution of ten dollars, which was traded for a small yellow ribbon to be worn on your chest as a symbol of solidarity with Little Cesar. The plan was to hopefully help alleviate some of the financial burdens on the Lopez family.
The parking lot of the Knucklehead Martial Arts Studio transformed into an open-air venue for a street fair that turned the usually dull-looking business park into a lively and well-organized event. Local businesses like Two Felons Skateboards represented and supported along with various art and food tents from tacos to tattoos, and you could even get a haircut. A big man in a black and green leather jacket, covered in tattoos, told me that he had spent the previous night baking snickerdoodles until 4:30 am. I must admit, they were absolutely delicious.
The event had the atmosphere of a family picnic. Kids in attendance were invited inside the martial arts studio to play and utilize the exercise equipment. The bands were set up outside the studio in two parking spaces with the driveway serving as a makeshift slam pit. The whole thing brought back memories of playing ball in the street as a child for me. Now and then, someone would shout out CAR! and a sea of punks would part to let a car pass.
The first band I was able to catch was called Cinder Block. I later found out that they were not originally on the bill. I gotta say, I liked them. Their stuff was hard and loud. The husky frontman began the set by dedicating a song, saying this one goes out all to the big boys, which was a sentiment I could get behind. The driveway pit began to move in the traditional counterclockwise motion. It was a very friendly slam pit. None of that Karate-style stuff. If someone was knocked down, they were immediately helped back up.
Next up was ChcnSht, a band of very old scholars from Fullerton, CA. I was told that their singer was at some point in the last 40 years a member of Orange County punk pioneers and mainstay, D.I. The band let loose an onslaught of hardcore that had almost everyone either in the pit or enjoying the show from the sidelines.
Like I said - almost everyone. All Photos courtesy of ©dickslaughter.com
Next up were our host and heroes in Black and Green, the Knuckleheadz. Their performance was quite eventful as the boys blasted out their set while their hype man, Little Cesar, coordinated the circle pit by lovingly pushing the crowd members back in whenever they drifted too close to the band's area. Knucklehead Tom's son Nieko also made an appearance and gave his dad a hug.
At one point, the band stopped to award a prospect his newly earned back patch, which signified the end of a long journey to become a real KnuckleHead. The new member was then invited to join the band in a song.
The highlight of the performance for me was when the bass player, Knucklehead Randy, entered the crowd and was quickly hoisted onto a brother's shoulders. He finished the song while being run around the pit at full speed. Surprisingly, there were no major injuries during this controlled mayhem.
As the sun set and the Whittier PD made their second appearance, Narcoleptic Youth took to the makeshift stage. The crowd drew closer, anticipating the chaos about to unfold. The band belted out their hits, including "Classified," "Headcase," and "McAnarchy." Just as “McAnarchy” closed, I saw the black and white pass by on Whittier Blvd. This would be the third visit, and based on my previous experience and training at gatherings like this, I was sure they would pull the plug. I decided to try and help stall Whittier’s Finest in the hope that Narcoleptic Youth could finish their set.
As an old white guy with a camera and a press credential (although from the now-defunct OC Weekly), I have been known to take a few photos and BS a cop or two long enough for a show to finish. When I made my way over to the boys in blue, I saw that Knucklehead Tom was already working his public relations skills on them. They were talking about MMA, so I decided to join in and snapped what will be a part of a very fun photo series called "PUNKS and The PD." Tom and I were able to keep the banter going, and the Popo just wrote Tom a warning as the band packed up their gear, and prospects appeared with brooms to help clean up the place.
That may have concluded the evening’s festivities, but it does conclude my interest in the club or the band. Since the day I met the gentlemen by chance in the UK at a train station, I knew I wanted to document their Rebellion experience. However, after getting to know them a little better over the weekend, I knew I wanted to see their gym, as they very much reminded me of Baltimore Banners Hockey, a program my partner and I champion. From my investigation into The KnuckleHeadz and the Punk rock fight club, it seems that like the Banners, the Knuckleheadz are pretty much up to all good.
Although they may look like cast members from the 1970s movie The Warriors, I have found that their mission is a righteous one, changing lives by providing the family structure and support system that so many lack and is so desperately needed. As I stated in my last piece on the Club, there are rules to being a Knucklehead. The biggest one is that no member is to commit a crime. They are anti-racist, and another rule is no hard drugs. Knuckleheads are what is called California Sober, a little weed, maybe a beer now and then. (At Cesar's Benefit, we were asked to refrain from alcohol, and I have to say I did not see any.) The Club's values are apparent in my photos: Fitness is pretty obvious, Brotherhood, and my favorite, Fatherhood.
Knucklehead Tom and his son Nieko - All Photos ©dickslaughter.com
I know what you're thinking, Grandpa/Officer. These youngsters look pretty scary in a big group, running around beating each other up with their muscles, tattoos and funny haircuts. They look like some kind of gang. What about the colors? Well, my answer to you is this: number one, it is a Fitness Club, NOT a gang. Number two, Besides that, it is not against the law to be in a gang. Gang affiliation is used as a tool all too often, unfairly by prosecutors and law enforcement, as an enhancement to charges to add time to a sentence or to force cooperation, but it is not against the law. This is America; we have the right to assemble and wear what we like. If you don't like it, get out. Honestly, from what I witnessed, I hope that chapters spring up in every city on the planet because in the immortal words of Gil Scott Heron, 'We got to do something to save the children,' and the Knuckleheadz are doing something. Are you"
Please take a moment to learn about a very important cause and consider volunteering, donating, or buying a T-shirt
The mission is to guide marginalized youth in high-violence areas of East Baltimore on the path to becoming productive citizens. Building trusted relationships with their coach-mentors produces profound growth on their journey to adulthood.
