A subterranean punk/New Wave club that operated in the 1980s beneath a Chinese restaurant in Hollywood. The Cathay de Grande was a hotbed for the early hardcore punk scene and the burgeoning alternative rock movement in L.A. Its mix of musical styles and notorious reputation (it was in a sketchy basement) made it both beloved and infamous.
Red Hot Chili Peppers gave their very first performance under that band name at Cathay de Grande in March 1983 (they had done two gigs under a previous name). Social Distortion frequently played Cathay and were part of its regular lineup. Other staples included T.S.O.L., Bad Religion, the Minutemen, and many underground acts. Even out-of-town alt bands (Replacements, Butthole Surfers) hit the Cathay stage. Famous Monday "Blue Mondays" residency by Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs blending blues and punk from 1981 onward. The Cathay embodied the DIY, anything-goes spirit of '80s Hollywood underground. Its closure left a void; many say the Cathay's end symbolically closed the chapter on L.A.'s original punk era.
São Paulo, Brazil
Los Angeles, United States
Osaka, Japan
Barcelona, Spain
Bristol, United Kingdom
Buenos Aires, Argentina
We're collecting stories from musicians who performed at Cathay de Grande