O.C. loses hardcore haven

Chain Reaction, the legendary Anaheim all-ages punk venue, closes after 30 years.

- BY ALEX VINCENT

JOE CALIXTO

THE CLUB fostered bands including Touché Amoré, shown performing in 2012.

Few venues epitomized the passion of live music like small, scrappy all-ages venue Chain Reaction. With an interior covered with band stickers and T-shirts and a cramped, enclosed alley with walls covered in gum and graffiti, the Anaheim venue on Lincoln Avenue spent nearly 30 years as a staple for punk, ska, hardcore, emo and more that helped put Orange County on the map for generations of local music fans.

Friday marked the final shows at the venue, which OC Weekly once referred to as “the CBGB of the West Coast.” Since 1996, Chain fostered breakout bands like Touché Amoré, Atreyu, Thrice, Throwdown and Eighteen Visions. Meanwhile it also became a must-stop venue for touring bands like Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Yellowcard, My Chemical Romance and The Used.

But after so many years of slowly waning attendance numbers, and a major hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, Chain Reaction began to sink. Unfortunately, even the concession of adding a bar to the longtime dry venue wasn’t enough to keep the club profitable, and they made the last-minute announcement via Instagram this month: "This call wasn't made quickly. We wrestled with it and have ultimately made the decision to close our doors. We want to thank every band, fan and attendee of our shows. We want to thank the scene that supported us for almost three decades. We want to thank you for the friendships and memories made in our special club. Thank you for supporting us through the years and when we needed it most. CHAIN REACTION FOREVER."

The closing of a staple in one of the biggest alternative music communities in the country is a symbol of a dismal state of affairs for a once-thriving scene.