Sound Waves: The Music of Hermosa Beach
By Michelle Crispin
The rhythm of Hermosa Beach doesn’t just roll in with the surf – it plays out on every stage, dive bar, and open-air plaza. Music has always been woven into the soul of this city, from smoky jazz and sun-soaked surf rock to gritty punk that made waves far beyond our city limits.
Today, live music spills out of restaurants and bars along Pier Plaza, echoing the creative spirit that’s defined Hermosa for decades. To truly understand this place, you have to hear where it all began.
In the 1940s and ‘50s, Hermosa wasn’t just a beach town – it was a jazz hub. At the center of it all was The Lighthouse Cafe’, where legends like Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Art Blakey lit up the stage with Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All-Stars. The house band recorded dozens of live albums there, many of which have become collector’s items. The Lighthouse is still going strong today, with music every night of the week and regular Sunday and Monday jazz sets that keep the legacy alive.
Hermosa’s laid back vibe and surf culture helped shape the rise of surf music in the ‘60s, with bands like The Beach Boys, The Chantays, and Dick Dale & the Del-Tones making waves all over Southern California, including Hermosa Beach.
In the late ‘70s, the beach got a bit louder – and angrier. Hermosa became ground zero for the American hardcore punk scene. Black Flag, fronted by Greg Ginn, formed right here in town, and their DIY ethos gave birth to SST Records, an influential record label that reshaped underground music. Then came Pennywise, whose raw, energetic sound earned them a global following while staying true to their Hermosa roots.
Today, Hermosa’s music scene is just as eclectic as its past – and still thriving. From small bars and beachside stages to national acts passing through town, music is everywhere. Saint Rocke hosts big-name artists and up-and-coming talent in a medium-sized venue with gorgeous architecture. The Lighthouse Cafe’ continues to honor its roots while bringing in fresh sounds. Venues like Tower 12, Patrick Molloy’s, and Barsha offer live sets that range from local songwriters to party bands. Our annual Ironman held on July 4th features raging punk music complete with a beach mosh pit. It’s not unusual to stumble on a swing band, complete with a brass section, popping up right on Pier Avenue.
For visitors, Hermosa Beach is a great place to tune in. Because here, the music never stopped – it just found new ways to play. ■
Photo by Michelle Crispin