L.A.’S THE PLACE

The term “grunge” is associated with the Seattle scene of the ‘90s, but the sound’s name and roots both came from L.A. in the ‘80s. So notes Brendan Mullen, founder of the ‘70s punk club the Masque and longtime L.A. rock scene figure, who is making that point officially as consulting curator for the Experience Music Project, the rock museum being bankrolled by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and set to open near Seattle’s Space Needle early next year.

“I remember the word ‘grunge’ being used for bands on [L.A. label] SST Records, some of the lesser-known ones like St. Vitus and Overkill,” says Mullen, who is assembling memorabilia for the museum’s exhibits on L.A. punk and hip-hop. “And even what became grunge fashion, the flannel and jeans, was in the scene here before.”

Mullen gives kudos to the museum’s directors, who, originally planning to focus on Seattle native Jimi Hendrix and local heroes such as Nirvana, realized the connections to other regions needed to be emphasized.

Mullen’s material will also be part of a Web site he hopes will be the definitive authority on the development of L.A. rap and punk.