The Riverside Art Museum presented “60 Miles East,” an exhibit showcasing the underground punk rock, hardcore and ska scenes from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. The museum is displaying the exhibit from until April 12.
Walking into the exhibit felt like stepping into a time machine that highlighted Riverside’s musical identity. Riverside developed a distinct sound and culture separate from scenes in Los Angeles and Orange County.
The museum walls featured photos, band flyers, T-shirts and other memorabilia that captured the energy of backyard shows and small venues. Each piece reflected a scene built not on mainstream visibility but on authenticity, passion and a deep sense of belonging.
During my visit, a group of 20 or more longtime friends arrived to see the flashbacks of their past. Their reactions showed the impact of the archives as they laughed at inside jokes, pointed to items they created and shared memories of late-night shows that shaped their youth and helped form who they became.
The exhibit felt less like a display and more like a living archive of a community that shaped Riverside and the surrounding area’s cultural identity.
Five people in the group played in bands featured in “60 Miles East.” Two belonged to “Old Nick,” and three played in “AppleKore.” Johnny VerPlanck, a member of “Old Nick,” said the music scene influenced his personal development.
“It was a great outlet when I was younger for a lot of things and gave me lifelong friendships, people who are standing here today are friends of mine for over 35 years,” VerPlanck said.
Vince Zeno, also a member of “Old Nick,” described what it meant to see his band included.
“This is everything right here. We’re so worried about this scene dying, going away and no one knowing about it. This is such a big force and getting the punk scene back on. For someone to remember it and not forget about it. This is a family and not to let that go away is awesome,” Zeno said.
Many attendees described the experience as emotional. Standing before flyers and photos felt like reconnecting with pieces of their own lives, and some wiped away tears as memories surfaced. Jeff Ashcraft, a member of “AppleKore,” said he felt grateful to see his band included.
“It’s pretty emotional to tell you the truth. These are all my friends I consider family and I’m just glad somebody took the time to put it together,” Ashcraft said.
Dave Cassell and Chris Arnold, also members of “AppleKore,” reflected on what it meant to see their history displayed. Arnold said the scene shaped him as a young person.
“[The scene] gave you something to funnel energy into. Having a scene like this helped mold you into the person you are today. Now 61, this is pretty cool. It’s like, hey, this is how we grow up, this is what we lived and now look at us all,” Arnold said.
Cassell described the experience of seeing the museum’s display as surreal.
“It’s like a time travel. It’s really weird. I see the flyers and the addresses to some backyard parties and in my mind, I know I was there and I have these vague [memories], but they really all kind of bleed together,” Cassel said.
Beyond personal stories, the museum highlighted the history of Inland Empire punk. Walls covered in original flyers, photographs and other artifacts showed how vibrant and influential the local scene was.
The exhibit highlighted not only the bands but also the venues and community that built the culture from the ground up. Those details helped visitors step back in time and connect the generations who lived the scene with those who discovered it later.
The Inland Empire punk scene represented more than a chapter of local music history. It built a community that shaped lives and left a lasting legacy, as seen in “60 Miles East.” For those who lived it, the exhibit offered a rare chance to step back in time and remember.
