PROP 13

In the early 1980s, the South Bay was emerging as the cradle of Southern California punk. Smittty and Bill were there to witness it, get inspired and eventually form their own band. Prop 13 officially formed In 1986 by Bill & Smitty. Proposition 13 as is officially named, was an incogneto code to escape school and smoke a bowl. Also a political statement - Political analysts often argue about when the modern-day conservative movement in America began. Some say that it began with Barry Goldwater's campaign in 1964. Others say it began with the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. It is also believed that the conservative, anti-big-government tide in America began 20 years ago with the passage of taxpayer advocate Howard Jarvis's Proposition 13 in California. Proposition 13 was a political earthquake whose jolt was felt not just in Sacramento but all across the nation, including Washington D.C. Jarvis's initiative to cut California's notoriously high property taxes by 30 percent and then cap the rate of increase in the future was the prelude to the Reagan income tax cuts in 1981. It also incited a nationwide tax revolt at the state and local levels. Within five years of Proposition 13's passage, nearly half the states strapped a similar straitjacket on politicians' tax-raising capabilities. Almost all of those tax limitation measures remain the law of the land today. With that said the fuel for the punk act was ignited. Prop 13 played the local party scene in the South Bay of Los Angeles for years, as well as local venues and eventually made their way around the U.S. for a national tour in 1997. They continued brief touring through 1999 and then disbanded until the first reunion show in 2002. Prop 13 still plays occasionally at local venues to this day. Prop 13, was inspired early on by the bands that emerged from the South Bay like Black Flag, Decendents, Circle Jerks, Nip Drivers, VTB, to name a few, and even good friends Pennywise. The D.C scene also had impact including Bad Brains & Minor Threat as well as the fact that Bill & Smitty were very inspired by punk bands from overseas like the Partisians, U.K. Subs, and Peter & the Test Tube Babies as all of these bands top the list of influences for the members of Prop 13. Theologian Records from Hermosa Beach released the original 7" vinyl, Turn the Tide with the original lineup in 1986 but that lineup did not last. After a few member changes and a few years time the band reformed, got back together and tightened their overall sound and songs. In 1995 they found the lineup that still stands today. Later in 1997, Theologian resigned the band for the full length album Change Is Good, which was engineered & recorded at Icebone in 1997, which later became Stall no.2. In 1998 the band recorded the E.P. Stuck in 82', with Darian at Stall no.2. The current members of Prop 13 are Bill Watt on vocals, Smitty on bass and backing vocals, guitarist Scott McLure, and drummer Dustin Maenpa.