Rock City Studios

by Zachary Valladon

Camarillo, CA is a city that used to be known only as the home of one of two state mental hospitals. Rock City Studios endeavours to change that.

Of my early teenage memories, those centred around Rock City - a 350 cap venue located about forty-five minutes north of Los Angeles - stand among some of my most favourite. For many others like me, based out of Venture County, CA, Rock City is a place of firsts: first time on stage, first time falling on stage, and perhaps even their first ever-sloppy-behind-the-venue-in-front-of-the-dumpster-teenage-kiss date.

Truth told, I grew up with the venue. It's changed quite a bit since the time I was a young punk lad, only angry at the system for how tight my skinny jeans were. Now, a twenty-something with a day job, I stand at the back of the stage room, completely in awe of some of the national-level acts crossing the same stage I started on nearly a decade ago.

"When we book a national touring act," says Brett DeCarlo, General Manager of the venue. "Our first thought is, 'What local act can we get to play with them?'."

Brett had been with Rock City for around two years now, and since he assumed his role, bands such are Every Time I Die, SWMRS, Dead Sara, and Menzingers have graced the stage.

At around the age of eighteen, I served as a security guard for a Thy Art is Murder show at Rock City. I had an excellent time; I've hardly found a greater pleasure than throwing a drunk old guy in a Sharks hat (I originally hail from Anaheim) out of that show. Times have changed, however, and the Rock City crew, under their captain, Ann DeMartini, have made a commitment to employing only veterans as security guards.

"Ann is the queen of this community," adds Brett with a smile. "Without her, this place wouldn't be here at all".

Ann and her family acquired Rock City Studios just a few short years ago, at a time when the local music scene was lackluster, and the venue faced what seemed like imminent closure. Since taking over, the venue has hosted events which had raised tens of thousands of dollars for people in the community.

In just one stunning example, Rock City managed to raise upwards of $11,000 for local victims of the horrific Las Vegas shooting in October.

Ann and her crew have built a legacy for those of us in this scene to uphold. They've established Local Music Scene Council Meetings, an open forum for bands, fans, photographers and individual musicians alike to share their thoughts and ideas about how to continue to make the Ventura County music scene even better.

In addition to the many amazing shows and meetings (December kicks off with local post-hardcore heroes, Plan Your Escape, opening for Sianvar), Rock City is a place for kids and adults to learn and grow through music. Professional lessons are offered by credentialed teachers, and for students who may not be able to afford equipment, heavily discounted guitars are available for purchase.

"All guitar students at Rock City are automatically sponsored by Legator Guitars," says Brett. "It's been an amazing deal we were able to arrange."

The future is only looking brighter for students and performers at Rock City. They've installed a brand new front-of-house console, an entirely new recording studio, a new bass system and even made an intentional effort to re-design the stage room with the acoustics in mind.

Though no booking is really happening at the moment, patrons of the venue should rejoice - Brett is cooking up a new (and somewhat secretive) upgrade to the venue.

As a long-time friend and fan of the Rock City, I feel lucky to have a place that's willing to help Ventura County become a desired city to get started.