If you’ve never been to a sanctioned or unsanctioned show or event at The Poor Kids Mansion in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of L.A., can you even consider yourself a part of the punk and metal scenes of Los Angeles? Of course you can. But if music scenes were like levels on a video game, this would be one of the challenges along the way to some abstract street cred needed to complete the level.
On top of a dead end, hilltop street just off Broadway, is an address that has been made public over the years but I still hesitate to mention. In a somewhat dilapidated 120 year old, 4 story estate whose windows have one of the best views of downtown in the city, is a residence and clubhouse called the Poor Kids Mansion.
In the backyard you can see punk rock, thrash and sometimes, backyard wrestling- complete with a pro wrestling ring. There is also a ring inside the house- three of them, in fact. And the ring master of this circus is Russ. He and his brother Dougie are the Poor Kids. There are more Poor Kids but if you say that name, Russ and Dougie are who you mean.
related: Hell or High Roller- Psycho Las Vegas 2021
Frequent collaborator Lethal Amounts was brought in on this O.G., godfather’s of the scene, metal melee, brought to you three of Los Angeles’ favorite troubled youth, all grown up (some might say old) and always making moves. On July 19th, 2025 it was Midnight, Ghoul, Persekutor, Maggot Colony and Regiment at The Poor Kids Mansion.
This is a photo recap of the show. All photos by O.G. Albert Licano
related: Sex Cells And We’re Buying- somewhere south of Hollywood Blvd
