Punk Rock at Raul's
Gets National Press

1978

Hilarious story. Photo/www.breakmyface.com/bands/huns.html

Austin TX - Punk rock went national on Sept. 19, 1978 when the Huns lead singer Phil Tolstead was arrested for obscenity while on stage.

During the arrest a photo was taken of Tolstead attempting to kiss the arresting officer. The story was covered by the Daily Texan followed by Rolling Stone. Instant national punk street cred. Here's what's funny. Austin didn't even have a punk rock scene outside Raul's.

Eventually Raul's would draw Patti Smith, Devo, Psychedelic Furs, the Dicks and Elvis Costello.

Audiences were young UT students. Located on the famous UT Drag. Punk was new in the late '70s and Raul's eventually became the top punk Austin live music venue. As the scene gave way to alternative, Raul's died with the trend.

Today the entire Red River music district is indebted to Raul's. If you ever get a chance, read about The Huns at Raul's. It's hilarious. You can read Tom Huckabee's (drummer of the Huns) account of the incident at www.breakmyface.com/bands/huns.html (opens in a new window).

You may want to find Live at Raul's (1979), a compilation of five bands recorded at Raul's.

SIXTH STREET CLUBS
Maggie Mae’s :: Momo’s :: The Parish

WAREHOUSE & DOWNTOWN CLUBS
Antone’s :: La Zona Rosa :: Austin Music Hall :: Elephant Room :: Paramount Theatre

RED RIVER CLUBS
Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheatre :: Emo’s :: Beerland

UNIVERSITY CLUBS
Cactus Cafe :: Hole In The Wall

SOUTH AUSTIN CLUBS
Continental Club :: Threadgill’s :: Jovita’s :: Broken Spoke :: Saxon Pub :: Evangeline Cafe :: Artz Rib House :: Hill’s Cafe

EAST SIDE CLUBS
Victory Grill

AUSTIN ANGELS & HALLOWED GROUND
Stevie Ray Vaughan :: Townes Van Zandt :: Jesse Taylor :: Doug Sahm :: Keith Ferguson :: Don Walser :: Clifford Antone :: Soap Creek Saloon :: Liberty Lunch :: The Vulcan Gas Co. :: Armadillo World Headquarters :: Raul’s :: Austin Opera House

MORE
Austin City Limits :: Austin Record Stores :: Music Stores :: Austin Chronicle

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