This morning in my classes, we talked more about Australian musician Jon Rose, who speaks of “music of location,” that is, music that is deeply connected to a certain place. I asked my students to write about the “music of location” in their community. Here’s what I wrote:
For me, Burger Records represents Fullerton’s “music of location.” In an interview, one of the owners described growing up in a “suburban nightmare.” Fullerton is, overall, a pretty “nice” suburban area, with nice homes, streets, and little crime. For teenagers growing up here, it must feel like a bit of a cultural wasteland.
So the music created by bands like The Audacity, of Burger Records, gives voice to the angst of growing up in an OC cultural bubble. The music is, in a way, a reaction to the culture of the place, and also an attempt to forge a new (and freer) culture of DIY (do it yourself) expression.
The music of The Audacity is loud and “sloppy” garage punk, and it almost perfectly captures the feel of a late-night suburban house party, kids smashing bottles on the curb, breaking their parents’ china vases. It is angry and joyful at the same time. It is the music of this place.
Here's an interview I did with the owners of Burger Records:
