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Siege of the Forum

The Siege of the Forum was the opening battle of the Great Punk Rock War of 1985, taking place from August 15-16, 1985, at the Los Angeles Forum. The battle marked the first major confrontation between punk rock forces and corporate arena rock bands, establishing many of the tactical and strategic patterns that would characterize the entire conflict. The siege resulted in the successful disruption of a Foreigner concert and the capture of significant Synthesizer Weapons stockpiles.

Forum Siege Punk forces establishing defensive positions around the Forum during the initial phase of the siege

Background

Intelligence gathered by the Underground Music Defense League had indicated that Consolidated Entertainment Holdings was using the Forum as a staging ground for a major offensive against independent music venues. The facility contained substantial stockpiles of Power Chord Generators and other sonic weapons, making it a critical strategic target.

General Henry Rollins, recently commissioned under the Emergency Musical Defense Act of 1985, recognized that neutralizing the Forum's capabilities would be essential to protecting the independent music scene. The newly formed Punk Rock Command developed a plan to surround the venue during a scheduled Foreigner concert, using the event as cover for a major military operation.

Initial Deployment

Punk forces began taking positions around the Forum in the early afternoon of August 15, disguised as typical concert-goers and venue staff. The Mohawk Infantry established defensive positions in the parking lots, while elements of the Stage Dive Commandos infiltrated the building's maintenance areas.

The CBGB Veterans Corps, drawing on their extensive experience with venue operations, provided tactical guidance for the operation. Their knowledge of arena layout and security protocols proved invaluable in positioning forces for maximum effectiveness.

Battle Phases

The Counter-Concert Offensive

The first phase of the battle began when punk forces initiated what became known as the "Counter-Concert Maneuver." As Foreigner prepared to take the stage, multiple punk bands set up improvised performance positions around the Forum's exterior, creating a sonic perimeter that interfered with the venue's Power Chord Generator frequencies.

Sonic Youth Research Labs teams deployed experimental Feedback Weapons that specifically targeted the corporate sound system's emotional manipulation capabilities. This innovative tactic proved surprisingly effective, causing several of the venue's main amplifier arrays to malfunction.

The Parking Lot Front

Some of the heaviest fighting occurred in the Forum's parking lots, where the Mosh Pit Cavalry engaged corporate security forces in a series of running battles. The punk forces' superior mobility and unconventional tactics proved decisive, as corporate units trained in conventional crowd control were unable to effectively respond to coordinated slam dancing attacks.

The parking lot phase of the battle saw the first combat deployment of the Circle Pit Maneuver, which would later become a standard tactic in the punk arsenal. By creating multiple rotating formations of fighters, punk forces were able to confuse and overwhelm corporate defensive positions.

Interior Infiltration

As the battle progressed, Stage Dive Commandos successfully breached the Forum's security perimeter using modified equipment cases and forged backstage passes. Once inside, they began systematic sabotage of the venue's Synthesizer Weapons and sound reinforcement systems.

A crucial moment came when a team led by Captain Joey Shithead located and disabled the main Power Chord Generator control room. This action significantly reduced the corporate forces' ability to maintain emotional control over the audience.

Technical Innovations

The siege saw the first large-scale deployment of several innovative combat technologies developed by Sonic Youth Research Labs. These included:

  • DIY Feedback Shields
  • Amplifier Wall Defense Systems
  • Harmonic Disruption Arrays
  • No Wave Nullifiers

The battle also marked the combat debut of the OMFUG Protocol, a sophisticated system of tactical communications developed by the CBGB Veterans Corps.

Turning Point

Generator Capture Punk forces securing captured Power Chord Generator equipment after breaching the Forum's defenses

The battle's decisive moment came when punk forces successfully redirected the venue's own sound system against the corporate defenders. By patching captured Power Chord Generators through modified amplifiers, they created what became known as the "Wall of Truth," a massive sonic assault that broke through the remaining corporate defenses.

Aftermath and Significance

The Siege of the Forum resulted in several significant outcomes:

  • Capture of substantial corporate sonic warfare equipment
  • Disruption of planned corporate offensive operations
  • Validation of punk tactical doctrines
  • Establishment of effective counter-measures against arena rock forces

The battle's success provided valuable intelligence about corporate capabilities and vulnerabilities, particularly regarding their reliance on Synthesizer Weapons and emotional manipulation technology. Equipment captured during the siege was later studied at Sonic Youth Research Labs, leading to the development of more effective defensive systems for independent venues.

Legacy

The Siege of the Forum is now considered a textbook example of subcultural military operations. The battle is extensively studied at the Punk Rock War Museum, where captured equipment and tactical documentation are on permanent display. The annual Operation Mosh Pit Memorial Concert includes a reenactment of key moments from the siege.

See Also

References

  • Official Battle Records
  • Tactical Analysis of the Forum Siege
  • Corporate Rock War Documents
  • SYRL Technical Archives
  • Venue Combat Operations Manual