Alquicuras embarks on a personal mission to reshape how the local community views punk culture.
Lindsay Elias
SAN DIEGO— On the surface, the punk scene has often been misunderstood. For San Diego native Danny Alquiciras, a local promoter and zine creator, punk has always meant something different. It’s about community, creativity, self-expression, and resilience. Over the last four years, Alquiciras has embarked on a personal mission to reshape how the local community views punk culture, giving it a positive and inclusive spotlight it rarely receives.
Alquiciras’ connection to punk runs deep. Growing up in the scene, he saw firsthand how individuals were often judged not by their character but by their appearance. Leather jackets, tattoos, dyed hair, and patched denim might read like rebellion to some, but to Alquiciras, these visual expressions were signs of creativity and individuality. “The majority of us are very creative people who just want to better ourselves or the people around us,” he said. “But we get overlooked because of how we look.”
This realization planted a seed in his mind. What if there was a way to share the stories, talents, and passions of people within the scene in a way that the wider community could understand and appreciate?
That seed began to grow during the pandemic. With live shows on pause and social spaces shut down, he turned to an old-school method of DIY communication, the zine. Combining punk with his artistic flair, he created the first edition of what would soon become Scumzine.
The first issue of Scumzine featured local skaters and bands from across Southern California. The layout of the zine was made to look gritty and raw. “I named it Scum because it has a gritty, nasty look to it,” Alquiciras explained. “It’s messy and unique, with every page being different because I didn’t want the picture-perfect layout with the same font as most I’ve seen.”
The zine was handmade, photocopied, and distributed for free. Despite not charging for it, support poured in from across the country and even internationally. Readers from as far as Finland reached out with donations and kind words, allowing Alquiciras to fund further issues and keep the project alive.
Alquiciras wanted to bring people together in person, to create real connections. That’s when he began organizing shows in sewers.
His first “sewer show,” as he called it, was held in an underground location and featured six punk bands. True to the DIY spirit, the event was completely free. To make it even more special, his girlfriend’s parents launched their taco business at the show. Local artists were invited to showcase and sell their work, and bands brought their own merch. Alquiciras hoped for around 100 attendees. But word spread fast, and over 300 people showed up.
“That night was unreal,” he said. “It felt like we really built something out of nothing.”
He continued organizing free shows across San Diego and surrounding areas. His events stood out not just for their energy but for their inclusivity. One memorable show was held at a skatepark in a less affluent part of town. The event included live music, skating contests, and free giveaways. Determined to give back to the community that had supported him, Alquiciras reached out to several local businesses and organizations to sponsor the event.
Among those were Rollin’ From The Heart, a nonprofit that works with at-risk youth to introduce them to skateboarding, surfing, and camping. Brixton, a lifestyle brand, was also a sponsor. Their partnership with Alquiciras helped supply skateboards, shoes, clothes, and backpacks for kids who might not otherwise have access to such resources.
“I know how happy a little kid would be to receive free product because I was them at one point,” he said. “That feeling never leaves you.”
What began as a zine and a handful of punk shows soon grew into a community movement. While his events were free to attend, the bands, artists, and vendors were often covering their own expenses. That began to weigh on him.
“I felt bad for having free shows. Everyone lost money, so I wanted to change that,” he admitted. “The bands were playing for nothing, without expecting anything in return. That’s love but it’s not sustainable.”
In response, he began charging a small entrance fee at future events to ensure that the performers could be compensated for their time and effort. His first ticketed event was held in a rented local gym and saw just as much support as his earlier shows.
Alquiciras is thinking about opening his own venue in the future to provide a space that would be fully dedicated to alternative music and underground culture. He envisions a place where artists and musicians are welcomed, respected, and supported.
“It’s really hard for punk shows to be held at an actual venue,” he explained. “The owners usually ignore us or don’t get back to us at all. It’s frustrating.
Alquiciras is not driven by fame or money, he just wants to see people thrive. “Offering musicians and artists new opportunities is always a good feeling,” he said. “Helping them grow, helping them build a crowd outside their usual city, it’s worth everything.”
Alquiciras stands as a bridge-builder and proof that punk isn’t just a sound or a style, it’s a movement that grows by mutual support and artistic freedom.
