Totally and I was going to say the same. The west coast was developed just a few years too late - no consideration for public transport and completely car-centric. The “single family home” is also held in high regard so we end up with sprawl. It’s also why I think some might not get Cobra Kai or The Big Lebowski. There’s a certain vibe and feel to Southern California and those littles nuances make those shows and movies oddly comforting and amusing. If you’re not familiar with it, you just might not get it. Like how people in SoCal might not understand the importance of The Winchester in Shaun of the Dead as a plot point. They can’t appreciated pub culture or what having your local means as that’s just not really a thing down there.
Your favourite year of clubbing
Yeah but they were off duty and, word was, up to shenanigans. OPD also had The Riders who were, along with the Rampart scandal, part of creating that show The Shield. They were planting all sorts of things; robbing dealers. And a few years ago, 14 officers were charged with a sex abuse scandal involving a teenage prostitute. It was only uncovered when one of the cops killed himself and confessed in a suicide note. I don’t think anyone was fired which speaks for itself. This place is pretty crazy but I like it.
jonattonyeah Oakland has an area called ‘Jingletown’. Doesn’t sound very gangsta.
jonattonyeah i’m sure it’s fine, depending on the neighbourhood like anywhere else. i got as far as the oakland coliseum both times we were there, chose to stay in san fran instead. the bart with a few thousand raiders fans was an experience lol.
Amps Oakland has an area called ‘Jingletown’. Doesn’t sound very gangsta.
The softest sounding places are often the most gangsta.
Ever taken the 10A bus in Liverpool? Kensington, Foxwood, Old Swan, Elm Park, Fairfield, Dovecot, and you’re lucky if it’s not a burnt out shell by the end of it.
Meanwhile, a newcomer would probably think “I’ll steer clear of Aigburth”
Love Alexi….my favourite Scouser.
After Amps (obviously)
Yeah it’s fine for the most part. I always say if you’re looking for trouble, it’s easy to find in Oakland, but keep to yourself and don’t behave like a jackass and you’ll be okay. Deep East Oakland is another story. I wouldn’t mess about it that part of the Town. Too many kids with guns and nothing to do.
Here’s a pretty good doc that gets to the heart of Oakland’s troubles if interested. Crazy how many of the people in it are now dead. Much of Oakland has gentrified in recent years but Deep East just seems impervious to change. Rough out there. Zack would do well with his slumlord business.
1989 was my favourite year by a country mile - I only caught the tail end of 88 - and though 1990 was excellent too, nothing ever compares to your first cally in an aircraft hanger 
Never wish years away but would’ve loved to have seen S&D at their pomp in the ’90’s. They were just too established for warehouses in San Francisco. I was too young to see them in clubs. PVD did play one spot for some weird reason in like 1999. Leveled the place. I didn’t even like Trance, was a House guy, but that was fun.
jonattonyeah Deep East Oakland is another story.
yeah i learned about that from too short lol. i’ll check that doc out, thanks.
303abuser too short
LEGEND. Him and Mac Dre (RIP) are Town royalty.
And yeah the doc is good. The end is pretty hard to watch. For me, anyway. But I’m more sensitive than many. The number of people filmed who ended up murdered over the course of making it is just tragic.
I think it’s impossible to pick one year. 1993, 94, 96 and 98 were absolute belters.
Has Alexei Sayle ever said anything funny?
‘dave’ seems to think so.
ArchimedesQ
I only started in 89 but it was 90/91 that i got really into it. Went to a rave every week all over the country,travelling up in a convoy of cars, arriving at a massive rave and seeing lasers shooting across a field, hearts pounding or queuing outside a club and hearing that thud thud of the music and knowing full well you’re in for another good night.
Dubman Techno Trance - what a savage track that was, 1990 was another great year, Lots of time spent on the M25 and in service station car parks waiting for the venue. Fab days indeed