Tacos de Pescado circa '98

Scared of Chaka playing 12/31/24 ABQ tonight #Launchpad

One of the best parties that I have ever attended was the ‘Fish Taco’ party thrown in the spring of 1998. This event took place at the infamous ‘Nursery’ located at the corner of Cornell and Silver Ave. According to local lore - this was once a children’s daycare - and there was a murder that took place there. In the basement, where various punk-rock bands have rehearsed through the decades - there used to be baby crib mattresses piled up in the corners. This party featured all sorts of musical events and surprises along with an unlimited supply of fish tacos and Mexican beers.

One of the bands that used to rehearse here was ‘Scared of Chaka’! According to the internets - Scared of Chaka is an American punk rock band based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that was formed in 1993 by guitarist/vocalist David Yanul Hernandez, bass guitarist Dameon Waggoner, and drummer Jeff Jones. Jones was later replaced by Ron Skrasek. The band played a mix of garage and pop-punk, following in the footsteps of local Albuquerque act the Drags.

Scared of Chaka isn’t only a great band, but also lifelong amigos! For a period in nineteen ninety-nine, we were Nursery roommates.

The Paper Interview - Don’t Be Scared…of Chaka

Albuquerque punks return to the scene of the crime at Launchpad

"Cha-Ka" was the first episode of the first season of the 1974 American television series Land of the Lost. Here is Chaka : )

Here’s the original lineup in front of Wimpy’s Burger on 4th Street

It looks like there are still a few tickets for tonight’s show.

Here are Dave and Dameon reuniting at the Launchpad 10 years ago.

So ask yourself, are you still that PUNK?