<div><p>Famous for its revolutionary aspects in musical, political, sexual identity and consumerist ideas, punk rock also has its lesser-known gangster ethos as well, explained here by players in the various punk gangs.</p><p>The Los Angeles, Orange County, and South Bay punk scenes, populated by blue collar kids who responded to the violence and aggression of punk songs and shows. A number of them formed punk gangs that got into beatings, drug dealing and murder. Among them, no gang was more notorious than La Mirada Punks, or LMP.</p><p>Says LMP chieftain Frank the Shank after getting arrested by police for murder: &quot;After having my hands in so much bloodshed over the years, I most certainly had it coming. I deserved whatever I got.&quot;</p><p>Unexpectedly Frank was bailed out from prison by his father's friend, a mob gangster.</p><p>&quot;Too many people died at the hands of punk rock violence,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I got lucky, some didn't. As an ultra-violent punk rock gangster, I admit my part in ruining the scene. L.A. punk was a magical moment of youth expression like no other. And the gangs ruined punk rock. I still have people telling me today that they quit punk because of LMP. I dig graves at a small cemetery just outside Los Angeles. What else would you expect for Frank the Shank?&quot;</p><p>Cover illustration by the renowned Raymond Pettibon.</p></div>