Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Room

Title: Casa de Chaos Zine Collection

Identifier/Call Number: MC 60

Physical Description: 1.5 Linear Feet 3 Archival Boxes

Date (inclusive): 1973-2013

Abstract: Compiled by local musician Jason Priest (aka Mickie Rat), the collection is made up of 2 linear feet of published and unpublished print materials that capture the essence of the Sacramento and Northern California Punk Rock scene, 1973-2013. For several years, the fonds had occupied the legendary Sacramento punk rock venue, Casa de Chaos, which is slated for closure in 2018. Zines make up the bulk of the collection, along with comics, booklets, pamphlets and programs.

Located at 1616 21st Street, Casa De Chaos originally opened in October 1992 as P-Haus. Prior to that, it, and the two other properties on the block, had operated as fraternity houses. Rat, girlfriend Julie Bruce and 3 other local punks (including local historian and activist William Burg), were allowed to move in without any fraternal affiliation. The basement was quickly turned in to a music practice space, and then a venue. Bands such as The Phlegmings and The Secretions would practice there and, in March of 1995, Spitboy, Fifteen, and Blackfork would also play shows there.

Due to a lack of funds after a long Phlegmings tour, Rat and Bruce were forced to move out in August 1995. Over the course of the rest of the year, others left as well. On August 3, 1996, Uberkunst performed there, but it's unknown what happened with the house from the end of 1996 to 2003, although it's believed that squatters moved in and out during much of that stretch.

In October 2003, the property was again rented after Rat gathered enough roommates – some not punks – to cover payment. The first show of the new era took place on May 5, 2004, courtesy of Jason Webley, The Haints, Nevada Backwards, and The Secretions. In the wake of the shows, Rat decided to name the house Casa De Chaos and over 150 more shows followed.

In August 2016, Rat was informed that a request for historic assessment on Casa De Chaos was pending. It was then explained to him that property owners only pursued historic assessments when they intended to remove property that may have historic value. Rat contacted Burg who called together a meeting of Preservation Sacramento, a historical society dedicated to celebrating and protecting the architectural heritage of the city. The assessment declared the property to have no historical value. In rebuttal, Burg wrote up his own unofficial assessment, claiming that because the house existed with two of its original neighboring houses (all built in circa 1910), it created a historical aesthetic. The group gathered several members of the punk community to head to a City Hall meeting of the Sacramento Preservation Committee. It was there that Burg detailed his assessment and asked the audience to stand up in agreement. Approximately 30 punks and others stood up in unison. The presentation impressed the committee enough to secure unofficial protection with the possibility of official protection. Preservation Sacramento has stood at the forefront of monitoring/ensuring the structure's survival.

It is at Casa de Chaos that this collection of "Do It Yourself" (DIY) publications was accumulated by Rat, both through his many travels and by way of the venue's numerous shows.

With coverage from 1973 to 2013, the collection is a reflection of punk rock culture, primarily in Sacramento, but more secondarily in various other states, regions and countries, as expressed through a series of original paper formats. Items are broken into series by format (zines, comics, booklets, pamphlets and programs) and then listed at item level with those formats arranged by title in alpha order. City of publication and date are also listed.

[Identification of item], Casa de Chaos Zine Collection, MC 60, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento, California.