History of Saint Rocke and the South Bay surf/skate punk scene
Historical Origins
The building that now houses Saint Rocke has roots stretching back to the 1920s when it was originally constructed as a bank. Over the decades, the structure underwent significant transformations, reflecting the changing cultural and social landscape of the area.
Transformation into a Music Venue
Prior to opening up as a music venue, it operated for 57 years as The Pitcher House, complete with sawdust on the floors and an electric train that ran throughout the bar. In March 2008, the venue underwent a massive remodel, leading to the birth of Saint Rocke. Despite the extensive updates, the owners decided to preserve the building’s historical essence by retaining all the original architecture.
Rise to Prominence
Following its transformation, Saint Rocke quickly evolved from a local beachside spot into one of Los Angeles’ most popular live music destinations. The venue distinguished itself with upscale looks, high-quality sound and lighting systems, and deluxe amenities for performing bands.
Notable Performances
Over the years, Saint Rocke has hosted a wide array of notable artists across various music genres. The venue has seen performances from rock and alternative acts like Bush, Gin Blossoms, Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander, The Dickies, Cypress Hill, and Don Dokken. It has also welcomed legends like Eddie Money and Skid Row, as well as Dick Dale, Todd Rundgren, Y&T, King’s X, Ambrosia, Lisa Loeb, Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Blasters, and new-wave bands such as ABC. Additionally, artists like The Motels, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Untouchables, Clive Farrington from When In Rome, Boys Don’t Cry, and the world-famous DJ Richard Blade have graced its stage. Notably, even William Shatner was there along with members of Yes.
Reputation and Appreciation
Saint Rocke has garnered high praise from those who have worked with it, being described as not only the premier live venue in the South Bay but also a favorite intimate venue of its size in the Los Angeles basin.
South Bay Surf/Skate Punk Scene
Saint Rocke is proud to be a part of an ongoing cultural tradition of the legendary South Bay surf/skate and punk rock scene. Arguably one of the punk rock epicenters in history beginning in the 1970s and 1980s, the 1 mile-by 1 mile Hermosa Beach has produced such iconic acts as Black Flag, Descendents, Circle Jerks and Pennywise. Originally hassled and pushed out locally, these rugged trail blazers have since aged graciously, as have the fans they grew up with, and are now recognized for their historic contributions by murals throughout the city of Hermosa Beach.
The grand re-opening of Saint Rocke in May 16, 2023 was celebrated by having two sold out nights of Descendents, and has since had punk acts such as Black Flag, The Dead Kennedys, OFF!, FEAR, TSOL, The Dead Boys, The Last, Saccharine Trust, The Weirdos, members of The Meat Puppets, One Square Mile, and Dez Cadenza’s Dondo perform in a commitment to highlighting a genre that is in the DNA of Hermosa Beach.
New Era and Ownership
In January of 2023, ownership of Saint Rocke changed hands. Dani Grant, an investor and proud owner of the Mishawaka Amphitheatre from Colorado took over the venue alongside Larry Little of Resident DTLA. The group of owners also includes notable figures like Kevin Lyman of The Vans Warped Tour, Jim Lindberg of Pennywise, and Allen Sanford, the previous owner and founder of BeachLife Festival.
The venue reopened on May 16, 2023 headlined by the punk band Descendents, which has historical ties to the South Bay punk-rock scene. This event marked a revival of Saint Rocke after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
