YOU AIN’T NO PUNK YOU PUNK
Ahead of our Legacy Deathrock show in San Diego on June 5th, we sit down with Local DJ and co-promoter Grimm Beatz to discuss music, goth club culture, and the importance of all vinyl DJing.
1.From the bands you have played in, the talent you have booked, to the monthly club nights that we all enjoy, you have been a staple in the So Cal Goth/Deathrock community for many years. Now, we all know the name Grimm Beatz today, but take us back to the beginning, to where it all started. Where did your love for Deathrock begin? Was it a particular band, album, book or magazine perhaps? What was the spark that started this journey?
It all started a long time ago in a galaxy far far away... the mall! I was working at Virgin Records at The Block at Orange in OC, CA. I was 19 and was coming into my own as far as fashion and music goes. I was into grunge and metal at the time. I enjoyed the music and going to shows, but never felt quite at home. I had never heard of deathrock or 80s goth before. I would dress alternative in big boots, fishnets, and cut up shirts. I befriended an elder goth who dressed similarly that worked at a different store. We were pretty much the only 2 guys in 2005 wearing makeup and fishnets in Orange County. when we first talked music, he was naming off so many bands i had never heard of. I was excited to dive into a new cave. I vividly remember when we first hung out at his house. The room had a dim yellow light coming from the corner. Band posters and fliers were covering the walls and ceiling. Incense dancing in the air. He had made me a mix tape. He pushed play and my life changed instantly. Out came the relentless bass line from Romeo's Distress by Christian Death. I had chills all over. I couldn't stop smiling. Next was Spy In The Cab by Bauhaus, followed by The Wait by Killing Joke. I was hooked! I soaked up everything I could about deathrock and post-punk!!!
Grimm Beatz at Club Grave Beat
2. As this journey progressed, so did your record collection. Can you tell us a bit about how you got into record collecting? Do you remember your first record, and are there any rare gems you are particularly fond of?
I was a late bloomer when it came to music. I was 17 when I got into buying CDs and records. My first ever CD was Spice World by The Spice Girls. Scary Spice is my favorite!! My first vinyl record was the 7-inch single We Got The Beat by The Go-Go's. I found it at a thrift store for a quarter. I would frequent swap meets a few times a month. It was easy to find records from 2005-2012 or so. Records weren't "cool" again yet. Almost no smartphones were being used to scan or price things. I bought nearly every Bauhaus, Siouxsie, and The Cure album for $1-3 each. I would pick up albums not just based on their cover, but by their label, distribution, and who they thanked in the credits. I saw it as collecting audible art.
Some notable rare records I've found include the Theatre of Hate flexi disc with the original Love Is A Ghost take, Transylvania by Johnny and the Dingbats, and first pressings of Only Theater Of Pain + The Adolescents blue album - got those 2 for 50 cents each! My prized records are the first-ever vinyl pressings of the albums Sylphes and Twilight from my favorite deathrock band, Corpus Delicti. Limited to 100 copies each!
DJ Grimm Beatz & The Rise of San Diego Goth Nightlife. photo by Princess.madi
3. I am sure those boots of yours have graced many dancefloors over the years. When it comes to Goth culture, the Club reigns supreme, as it is the preserving lifeforce for the music and the community, from the old guard to the baby bats. Can you tell us a bit about the first club you attended?
My first ever club I attended was in West Hollywood called Rage. My sister and their friends brought me along. It was a top 40's gay club. I didn't know the music or scene at all. I had fun dancing either way. My first ever goth club was El Chamber held at Club Bravo in Anaheim, and they're still going strong many decades later! The resident Dj's back then were Gerber and Franck H-Bomb. They focused on EBM and harsh industrial. I remember my first time going there. I was enamored with their fog. I would go and twirl around in my skirt when it went off. I loved the dim lights and moody beat of bodies swaying in the night. My first deathrock club was Release the Bats in Long Beach. I loved going there to get my fix of the music I loved. Dj Dave Grave was my favorite. He was the only dj that played Klaus Nomi and Inflatable Boy Clams.
Grimm Beatz at Club Hemlock Photo by Oscar Aranda
Grimm Beatz and DJ Camilla Robina at Club Hemlock Photo by Oscar Aranda
4. When it comes to clubs, there are many elements that come together to make a great event. Everything from promotion, venue, production, authenticity, sound, format...the list goes on! As someone who attends as well as promotes, What makes for a good club night?
Music. That has to be the focus in my opinion. I love when there are fliers being handed out for upcoming events. I wish more clubs would put that effort in to promotion. Online is ok, but in person promo speaks louder to me. Some of the funnest times I've had were at tiny venues like Que Sera (Release the Bats). All you need is a few speakers, and djs who know how to keep the crowd moving. I like clubs that keep it simple. Good music, djs who know what they're doing, and promoters who interact with and make attendees feel welcomed.
A tag line we have at Grave Beat is "Music First, Fashion Last. Not All Clubs Are Built The Same". I know so many people who are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about goth music that simply want to wear jeans, sneakers, and a sweater to clubs. And I know people who go all out with lavish make up and flashy pvc outfits that don't know much about the music or bands. And I love both types. Come as you wish to Grave Beat. We strive on being all inclusive and making a safe space to be YOU.
"Music First, Fashion Last. Not All Clubs Are Built The Same"
5. On the topic of clerbs, I heard Grave Beat is one of, if not the last remaining all vinyl, old school 80s-90s, all killer no filler goth clubs in California(possibly the USA) ? Can you give us a rundown on the birth of Grave Beat, what to expect, and why for some reason venues keep on inviting you back?
Club Grave Beat
Grave Beat was born out of necessity! In 2019, I was hungry for good old school goth clubs in OC/LA. There was a big surge of cookie cutter clubs playing new "dark wave". Literally multiple events of the same genre every weekend. Its a sound that does nothing for my winklepickers at all. I had pitched the idea around and had our first night at B+B Music Studio in Orange. It was a space I rented for the night. All ages sober space. We did it there a few times and had a blast! People were hungry for it. I got so many thanks for hosting it. We moved over to Alex's Bar in Long Beach for a few months. Then the world shut down. Fast forward to life happening again, my old friend and bandmate Errol Fritz had asked if I wanted to bring Grave Beat to San Diego. At this time, Club Hemlock (the best old school goth night of its time!) was no more, and there was no outlet for the wicked who wanted to hear the sounds of The Batcave and beyond. So we gave it a try, and it was a huge turnout!! We had so many people saying it is their favorite night and how good it felt to hear dance floor classics that no other club in town played. The whole idea of Grave Beat was to give this generation a glimpse into the past. Not just with all classical Goth music, but with our day-glo decor, VHS tapes playing, fog, and moody lighting. We make it look like you're walking into a goth club in the 80s and 90s!! There's no club like it! Venues have been so welcoming to our unique approach. We have found Kensington Club as our home every third Friday of the month after a few years of being at Til-Two Club.
6. Grave Beat definitely keeps it old school and we love you guys for that. In the broader club landscape can you talk about the importance of preserving that old school vibe, and why Grave Beat always has and always will be vinyl only?
Vinyl snobs! Yes, but no? We definitely pride ourselves in being an all Vinyl club night. Its a spectacle in itself to see a dj pull out a record, cue it up, and watch the mixing go down. This goes hand in hand with wanting to provide a true old school goth experience as you would have seen 30-40 years ago. A glimpse into the heyday of deathrock! Its also a feeling of satisfaction knowing I bought my records. I always support artists directly when they released new or reissued albums. I wouldn't feel right blindly downloading and using digital files to use at Grave Beat. I've been actively djing vinyl exclusively for 14 years and have no interest in changing that. I will hunt down records and pay up for those rare titles i need for my sets! I love bringing an all encompassing vibe to a throwback night.
Grim Beatz with the quintessential Virgin Prunes photo by Princess.madi
7. Speaking of old school, you have managed to curate one of the biggest Legacy Deathrock lineups to hit SD in recent years. Having a lineup with genre pioneers in Kommunity FK, Ex-VoTo, Nervous Gender Reloaded, paired with Santa Ana Deathrockers The Exile in 2026 is definitely a testament to the staying power of the genre. Paired with the recent interview of Patrik Mata done by Billy Corgan, Dare we say, there may be a bit of a Deathrock resurgence happening?
This event will be one for the ages!! I'm still on cloud nine for being a part of this epic night! A HUGE shout out to the boys at Modernwav for setting up the venue and making this night possible . There will be so many great dance floor bangers played live this show that we frequently play at Grave Beat. The OG goth band, Kommunity FK, will grace San Diego with their entrancing live show and classic deathrock sounds. Ex-Voto are gunna pack a punch with their hits!!! Nervous Gender Reloaded bring you a glimpse into their experimental 80s drone beats and haunting sounds from beyond. And The Exile are my favorite band that has come out of recent years. Think Southern Death Cult meets Siouxsie.
Kommunity FK, Ex-VoTo, Nervous Gender Reloaded, and The Exile live at Queen Bees June 5th 2026.
San Diego goth events by Modernwav
I HOPE that more deathrock and true post-punk bands start to form, we are overdue for a resurgence out here. There are amazing goth bands from across the world that have popped up not too long ago like Illegal Funeral, Natures Mortes, Eat My Teeth, and many more... Deathrock isn't dead, it just took a nap.
8. On top booking bands you have also shared the stage with a few of the aforementioned artists. Can you give us a bit of insight on your projects, past and present, and how you first started playing music?
Bell Tower Bats was my baby. We were around for ten years giving you sounds a la 45Grave and Bauhaus. A 3 to 4 piece band. Drums, guitar, bass, vocals. Bare bones deathrock. Shrouds is still active, yet dormant for the time being. A 3 piece suit that has played all over and delivers dirty deathrock to your doorstep. I formed a Cramps tribute band called Teenage Goo Goo Muck about 8 years ago. We are active in SoCal, come check out some absolutely unpredictable antics if you love Lux and company!
Bell Tower Bats live at Club Hemlock Photo by Oscar Aranda
Teenage Goo Goo Muck live at Club Hemlock Photo by Oscar Aranda
Shrouds live at Club Hemlock. Photo by Oscar Aranda
I first started playing music out of a need to express my art in a different way. I was into painting and sculpting all my life. I wanted a new outlet. I formed my first band, Heidi Wu, with my old schoolmate Josie Wreck. It was primitive grunge rock. We had fun! I'm glad I picked up an instrument. It has taken me to several countries to perform. I'm eternally grateful for that.
9. Lastly, for the reader out there that may not be too familiar with the Deathrock genre, from books, bands, to quintessential albums, any recommendations to start with?
Deathrock. The bastard son of punk, with eyeliner. I don't read, so I can't recommend books... Look up The Batcave London for insight on the birth of what we know as goth.
Gateway albums are Only Theater Of Pain by Christian Death, Sleep In Safety by 45Grave, and In The Flat Field by Bauhaus. Looking for less obvious recommendations? Check out Fields Of The Nephilim, The Nosferatu, Screams For Tina, and Skeletal Family.
This legacy is still alive today through San Diego goth events, vinyl DJ nights, and underground shows curated by Modernwav.
Be sure to catch Grimm Beatz behind the decks on June 5th for the Legacy Deathrock event at Queen Bees.
Tickets available at: www.modernwav.com
