Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Former Black Flag singer/guitarist Dez Cadena (facebook.com/dezcadenaofficial/) traces his path from being the son of a jazz record producer to becoming a pivotal figure in the LA punk scene, discussing the records, rare recordings and eyewitness accounts in the formation of LA punk rock culture.


Topics Include:


• Interview start, brief discussion of The Saints and Chris Bailey's passing

• Dez discovered Australian punk through Music Plus record store

• Early exposure to Ramones, The Damned, and The Saints

• Describes discovering Radio Birdman alongside The Saints

• Compares Radio Birdman's sound to Blue Öyster Cult

• Discusses early AC/DC fandom, specifically Bon Scott era

• Father Ozzie Cadena was record producer for jazz labels

• Family moved from New Jersey to California

• Father had connection to Lighthouse Cafe jazz venue

• Dez's childhood exposure to music through father's record store

• Father's recording techniques using minimal microphone setups

• Connection to Rudy Van Gelder's recording studio

• Father recorded blues artists like Lightnin' Hopkins

• Received first drum kit as child from father

• Influenced by TV show Hee Haw's multi-instrumental performers

• Father encouraged guitar learning over other instruments

• Father's reaction to Dez joining Black Flag

• Met Ron Reyes at garage sale playing punk records

• First encounter with Black Flag (then called Panic)

• Discusses early Black Flag recording sessions and demos

• Explains Louie Louie single release on Posh Boy Records

• Details Thirsty and Miserable Licorice Pizza promotional record

• Discusses relationship with Black Flag after leaving band

• Explains circumstances of Ron Reyes leaving Black Flag

• Describes chaotic Louie Louie performance after Reyes quit

• Discusses transition from singing to playing guitar

• Mentions potential singers considered before Henry Rollins

• Keith Morris briefly returning for one show

• Current Flag project and Punk Rock Bowling festival

• Discusses Punk Rock Museum and giving tours

• Mentions Johnny Thunders' guitar and other museum exhibits

• Recommends The Schizophonics (schizophonics.com/) band

• Promotes his current band Dondo (music.apple.com/ca/artist/dondo/1650671496)

• Mentions producing 3rd Rate (instagram.com/3rdrate/) band's recent record


See Dez at the Punk Rock Museum - Tickets here (etix.com/ticket/v/27959)


Commercial free, high resolution verion of this podcast is available at: Patreon.com/VinylGuide (patreon.com/VinylGuide)


Listen on Apple: apple.co/2Y6ORU0 (apple.co/2Y6ORU0) Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi/36qhlc8