by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Drastic Plastic turns 30

Did Drastic Plastic play a more significant role in the creation of today’s “Omaha Music Scene” then, say, Homer’s Records (who has been around longer), or The Antiquarium, which for years was viewed as Omaha’s indie ground zero? Does it matter?

Fact is Drastic has stayed in business for 30 years — that’s an achievement for any record store. I’ve always looked at Drastic as more of a T-shirt shop (thanks to Impact) than a record store, though recorded music has always been a staple. According to their press release:

“Drastic also promoted some of Omaha’s first alternative shows, such as Black Flag, Husker Du, Dead Kennedys and Toxic Reasons.  The cover of Black Flag’s live album Who’s Got the 10 ½? immortalizes the store’s telephone number.  Drastic also started one of Omaha’s first record labels, Fat Bat Records, which released then local sensation Apathy’s LP Out the Window. “

The tradition continues with Drastic Plastic Records, which reissues classic punk albums on vinyl, along with discs on the Silver Saucer CDs imprint.

So Happy Birthday Drastic Plastic. To celebrate the occasion, Drastic is hosting a show tonight at the Waiting Room headlined by OFF!, the LA hardcore band whose members include Circle Jerks/Black Flag singer Keith Morris, Burning Brides frontman Dimitri Coats, Red Kross bassist Steven Shane McDonald and Rocket From the Crypt/Hot Snakes drummer Mario Rubalcaba. Opening is Seattle punkers The Spits and Raleigh hardcore band Double Negative. $12, 8 p.m.

Also tonight, Sub Pop band Helio Sequence plays at Slowdown Jr. with Betsy Wells. $10, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, over at fabulous O’Leaver’s Rake Kash (L. Eugene Methe) headlines a show with Still Sweet and Noah Sterba. $5, 9:30 p.m.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.