Busted At OZ, the album | OZ, the Chicago punk bar and music club

Which came first the club or the music?

OZ traces its history back to 1977 when Dem Hopkins established Chicago's notorious punk club, OZ. The music was always present in everything Dem did. The point was to keep the music coming, opening those audible doors to all who would and wanted to hear. This punk evangelism pre-dated the rage of Reagan AIDS and post-dated the fight back fallout. And in the in-between, there was a sound....

Opening Intros

OZ was responsible for introducing and showcasing upstart bands from throughout the world, including Black Flag, D.O.A., Hüsker Dü, The Fall, and many others.

The OZ Bands

OZ also provided a home for bands that became known as "the OZ Bands." Busted At OZ is the now legendary recording that chronicles this period.

The Effigies

Naked Raygun

Silver Abuse

Strike Under

The Subverts

OZ Reunion Show

In 2010, Dem organized a Busted At OZ reunion gig. The OZ Bands performed to a sold-out crowd at Chicago's infamous Double Door. All proceeds went to the charitable organization, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. This event led to new friendships and renewed community through music.

A limited number of the original Busted at OZ was rereleased as part of the reunion show. (Read the mentioned in The Big Takeover.)

OZ & Chicago Non-Profits

Dem continues to work with Riot Mike as the attorney for Riot Fest Foundation. Riot Fest Foundation is a registered non-profit. Their mission: “The Riot Fest Foundation’s mission is to rally artists and fans to awaken passions, amplify dreams, and enhance under-served communities by fostering creative development, supporting charitable organizations, and through civic endeavors." (Go to their site.)

Busted At OZ [the album]

1981. Cops. DIY Music. Harassment. Busted. Effigies. Subverts. Strike Under. DA. Silver Abuse. Naked Raygun.

As music evolved throughout the 1980s and 1990s, so did OZ. Although the club names changed, Dem continued to introduce and promote cutting-edge bands like Breaking Circus and Green.

OZ [the Chicago punk club bar]

1970s/1980s. Chicago. Mayor Byrne. AIDS. Anti-establishment. Music. Punk. Suspended.

Post 2000 sounds

Bands like The Strokes, The White Stripes, The Hives, and The Libertines proved that people wanted to hear more than just formula. The "the bands" kicked down doors once again. A DIY insurgency now includes many types of music and a diversity of musicians in a growing movement not seen since the early days of punk.

Busted

At

OZ

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Busted at OZ is not affiliated with any recording label or conglomerate. We don't get paid for our reviews. We just like hearing new music and music we missed.
We believe music makes a difference. Sometimes it IS the difference. So much music, so little time.

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