April 8, 2005 So Punk Rock Remember when L.A.'s music scene made this city the counter-culture capital? The Hollywood Entertainment Museum does. Their exhibit "Outrageous! L.A. Punk Rock Flyers, Handbills and Posters (‘77-‘83)" is a small but pure collection of artwork that defined the era. About 65 punk posters promoting bands like The Dead Kennedys, Wasted Youth, Suicidal Tendencies, Social Distortion, Circle Jerks, Meat Puppets and more hang framed. Old-school videos on a wide-screen TV provide some sonic context. The themes ring familiar. Republican backlash. Hatred of authority. A Winton Smith Dead Kennedys' flyer "Welcome to 1984" goes beyond Orwell to tap into a greater cynicism. "Investment Problems?" the poster demands, "Start a war!" It was drawn two decades ago. Or was that two weeks ago? The rest of the museum is down-scale tourist cheese. One could imagine Henry Rollins putting a fist in the face of the bored-as-hell tour-guide. All the more reason to give props to the museum for showing a side of L.A. that isn't fake. Through May 15th at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum: 7021 Hollywood Blvd. downstairs from the Knitting Factory. Admission is $8.75. Parking is available on Sycamore for $2 with validation.