Berkeley’s punk rock scene was alive last Saturday as six bands took the stage at the 924 Gilman St. Club. The Gilman is a place where a local band that practices in their basement and plays 10 shows a year can be on the same lineup as a touring group from Los Angeles, and still get the same respect.

Saturday’s lineup included Bay Area locals MFB, Wreck Department, Harrington Saints, and more. Harrington Saints are well-traveled and also well known in the Oi! area of the punk rock world concerned with the working class, and providing a somewhat slower, steady beat. They have opened for acts such as Rancid and Transplants.

In addition to these local bands, Death March, a punk band from Los Angeles was in town. Made up of members of Society’s Parasites, and featuring Skinhead Rob of the Transplants, one could expect a talented group of musicians.

Opening for bands of this caliber can be seen as nerve wracking, but for some reason this humble stage in the corner of the room brings all bands to the same level.

“I have been to some really big shows at the Gilman,” said Trinidad “Tboneious” Sandoval, guitarist/vocalist for Wreck Department. “I can honestly say that the crowd reacts positively to the whole lineup.”

This speaks to the willingness of the fans to support and react positively to a relatively unknown band.

“We all have been going [to The Gilman] for a long time,” explained Sandoval. “It’s really awesome to see all the energy all the kids have for a band like us that doesn’t even have a CD yet.”

Wreck Department, a relatively new band to the scene, is just getting started. Formed three years ago in Hayward, it was a slow start, but things are picking up they said.

“What’s next for Wreck Department is to continue riding this momentum we have,” said Sandoval. “[To] start actually recording a real, high-quality demo, and get more shows booked out there.”

Another local group, MFB, or My Friend’s Band, was present on the bill, and saw perhaps the one of the most energetic crowds of the night. Armed with foot-high mohawks and bleached-blonde liberty spikes, they ripped through songs like “Boys From Nowhere” and “Killer Goldfish.”

The Castro Valley punkers are still in their infancy phase in terms of time together as a band, but their live show gave the illusion that they had been playing together for years. Playing before the touring acts is a natural rush for them.

“It was absolutely fantastic playing with two amazing bands such as Death March and Harrington Saints,” said Julian Trevizo, guitar/lead vocals. “Everything is a bit intimidating before getting on stage, but as soon as you’re up there playing, all the judgment and nervousness goes away.”

MFB is no stranger to jumping on bills with well-known punk acts in the Bay Area. In the last year, they have opened for popular and growing bands like Mad Conductor and Emily’s Army.

“It’s always really cool to see people like that watching,” said Trevizo, “[It] gives you a glimpse of hope that you can get noticed by someone a bit more influential and that can help you out.”

Getting noticed is not the only possibility bands look to these bills for. The Bay Area punk rock scene is filled with bands of all skill levels and popularity levels.  But that is not what it is about. When bands are put on a bill together, they are almost like a family for that particular night, and many times, long after.

“No matter who’s playing, all the bands talk to each other and load in together,” said Trevizo. “Everyone watches, and talking to someone from a bigger or touring band is no different than talking to just another person [in a local band.]”

One of Saturday’s audience members Eli “Jiggly” Streich, member of Waterfly Spigot and Skank Bank, also had great things to say about the Bay Area punk community.

Streich’s bands have had the opportunity to play with Emily’s Army, Survay Says, and The Toasters to name a few. Looking up to these bands are one thing, playing on the same stage as them is another.

“You are always guaranteed to meet your musical idol,” said Streich, “I’m never really intimidated, but I do work extra hard if someone I’m gonna want to be respected by is there.”