CLUBS OF THE PAST: HEMLOCK, A NIGHT OF DEATHROCK
Club Hemlock, which brought Deathrock influenced bands and DJs to San Diego
For decades, San Diego’s goth and deathrock scene has existed through underground club nights, independent promoters, vinyl DJs, and passionate communities dedicated to darker forms of alternative music culture.
On June 5, Modern Wav brings that spirit back into focus with a special night featuring deathrock and synthpunk legends Kommunity FK, Ex-VoTo, Nervous Gender Reloaded, and The Exile alongside all vinyl DJ sets celebrating classic goth, post punk, and deathrock.
The event pays tribute to the legacy of Club Hemlock, one of San Diego’s most influential deathrock nights, known for helping cultivate a deeper underground scene centered around deathrock, horror punk, goth, and darker post-punk sounds.
Ahead of the event, we caught up with Club Hemlock founder Javi Nunez to discuss the roots of San Diego’s goth scene, the rise of deathrock culture in Southern California, and why these sounds continue to resonate today.
Javi Nunez and Danny Lethal
1. Let us start from the beginning, how did you initially get involved in the Sd scene, and what led to the creation of Club Hemlock?
I have been attending club nights for over 20 years, all starting with my first 18+ event called Cathedral, which was at the Hot Monkey Love cafe, then graduating to SD mainstays like Club Sabbat when I was 21.
Around 2017, I feel there was a bit of a club night resurgence in SD. Many promoters and DJs were building really cool events. You had nights focusing on 80s, Post Punk and Coldwave, Aggrotech and Dark Electro, Futurepop…pretty much all the genres under the Goth umbrella, except for the little outcast known as Deathrock.
Photography by Aaron Truax
It was only meant for a 1off night. I used my birthday as an excuse to throw an event, and just play stuff I liked that you wouldn’t often hear, from Screaming Dead to Rudimentary Peni, 45 Grave, Ex-VoTo. There were no expectations, I was just having fun.
It turned out there were others that liked that stuff too, and although it was a Monday night, we had a good little crowd. The venue was happy with the turnout and offered a monthly. That was the birth of Hemlock.
Photography by Jeff Morris
2. How did you come up with the name Hemlock?
The waters aren’t that deep there, I just thought it sounded cool. It was different and original.
Ex-VoTo at Club Hemlock
3. Did you have any partners in Hemlock?
Definitely. This would have not been possible without the help of Robin Roth and Jamie Ryckman. They were there from day one and were pivotal in the growth and curation of the events. Aeroc Atone was also a huge help in building these events.
Teenage Goo Goo Muck at Club Hemlock. Photos by Jeff Morris
4. Throughout the span of Hemlock, which bands have you had the pleasure of working with?
Well, in chronological order, Bell Tower Bats, Ultima Circo, Spirit in the Room, Ex-VoTo, Teenage Goo Goo Muck, Not Breathing, Author & Punisher, The Wraith, Eyeliner, Jak Syn, Neon Kross, New Skeletal Faces, The Dirty Horror, Readership Hostile, Dominator, Killer Lords, Shrouds, Screaming Dead, Only Theatre of Pain,Frozen Charlottes, Deth Crux.
Author & Punisher
Jak Syn & Neon Kross at Club Hemlock. Photos by Oscar Aranda
5. Were there any performances that stood out to you?
They were all very special and personal. The beauty of it all is having worked with all these talented bands and DJs, ended up creating long lasting friendships and relationships that have lasted throughout the years. It has been a privilege to work with each and every one of them.
Limited screenprinted posters created by Javi Nunez
Event tees given away at each event. Designed and printed by Javi Nunez
6. The upcoming show on June 5th with Kommunity FK, Ex-VoTo, Nervous Gender Reloaded, and the Exile, as well as the DJs involved is reminiscent of the Hemlock days. How does it feel helping put together an event like this?
It is a bit surreal to have Deathrock and Synthpunk royalty all on one bill. This is very special for San Diego, as I don’t know when a lineup like this will come around again. Pair it with a Few of the top vinyl selectors in Grimm Beatz, Errol Fritz and Vaughn Avakian, and you have the making of a truly memorable event. It has also been a pleasure to work alongside Grimm Beatz and Club Grave Beat. He put together this dream lineup, and is one of the most passionate and hard working people in San Diego.
Kommunity FK, Ex-VoTo, Nervous Gender Reloaded, and The Exile in San Diego June 5th 2026
Bell Tower Bats final show at Club Hemlock. Photos by Oscar Aranda
Club Hemlock attendees. Photos by Oscar Aranda
Screaming Dead and Only Theatre of Pain performing at Club Hemlock. Featuring Gitane Demone, Rikk Agnew, and Steve Skeletal. Photos by Oscar Aranda
Shrouds at Club Hemlock. Photos by Oscar Aranda
7. Will Hemlock ever rise from the grave and make a return?
No. It doesn’t need to, as Club Grave Beat is carrying the Deathrock torch in San Diego, and carrying it well! Grimm and Errol put a lot of work into their events and the music is always top notch!
Grimm Beatz and Errol Fritz of Club Gravebeat
As San Diego’s dark alternative scene continues evolving, nights like this remind us how important community driven spaces remain for goth, deathrock, post punk, and underground electronic culture.
For Modern Wav, events like June 5 are not simply concerts. They are part of preserving and continuing the legacy of San Diego’s darker musical underground while introducing a new generation to the sounds and artists that helped shape it.
June 5 stands as both a celebration of the past and a glimpse into the future of deathrock and goth nightlife in San Diego.
Explore More from Modern Wav
Modern Wav is a San Diego-based platform dedicated to goth, darkwave, industrial, synthpunk, EBM, post-punk, deathrock, and underground electronic music culture throughout Southern California. Through live events, artist interviews, nightlife coverage, DJ nights, and editorial features, Modern Wav continues to support the darker side of alternative music and underground nightlife.
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Written By Alex Gonzales
Alex Gonzales is a contributor to Modern Wav covering goth, darkwave, industrial music, underground nightlife, synthpunk, post-punk, and alternative culture throughout San Diego, Los Angeles, and Southern California.
Related Topics
Goth • Darkwave • Industrial • Synthpunk • Deathrock • EBM • Post-Punk • Underground Music • Alternative Nightlife • San Diego • Los Angeles • Southern California • Nervous Gender Reloaded • Kommunity FK
