History of Locking: Local and Global

[The2euceofSpades]

I got some question for you dancers out there...

how big was the locking scene here in the bay area back in the day? since locking came from Los Angeles, did the dance style spread to Northern California quickly? i also want to know more about how locking spread to Japan, France, Korea, etc. So! if you guys got some info on that, im sure we here at Nustudios would all appreciate it

[ceech]

excellent question.
doclock would probably be better in answering this question about the bay area locking. as for me :

the first person that i saw locking is this amazing lady "Aiko" out of San Jose. i don't remember when but it was probably around 1996. i know she's definitely been locking way before that.

the second person that I saw locking was "JayPee". i didn't officially meet JayPee until later, but I think the first time I saw Jaypee lock at a club was in 2000.

third person that i saw locking was "Doclock". you remember what year we met, doclock ? probably 2003 ?

Locking spread worldwide because of "Soul Train". That was the number one reason.

[The2euceofSpades]

So was Soul TRain broadcast all around the world? It's a US TV Show, so I guess that just had to get around somehow? INteresting. Also, correct me if I'm wrong:

Dancers from the Ebs and the Original Lockers traveled around the world and such, teaching. I did read an article on Tony GoGo's history on bringing locking to Japan, and Mr. Wiggles having some influence for boog style in Japan. Though I am not sure, perhaps you guys would have more information?

Thanks Ceech for the reply. That's some good stuff, I've heard of Aiko before, I know she has classes in San Jose sometimes, or holds seminars or something. People told me about her probabyl last year, but I couldnt go to her class because I didnt have a car. Maybe next time. Tell me more about the dance scene, and it's progression. Id like to know about how big locking was in San Francisco during the 70s, or even in the Bay Area as a whole.

Also: anything on Oakland Boogaloo or the Fillmore?

holla atcha boy! I will do more research


-Kan

[itsdho]

Hey, yeah, Aiko is still holding open sessions in San Jose (on Wednesdays) and Alum Rock (on Fridays)!
I put the details in my intro thread: http://www.nustudios.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155 (5th post).

She's probably the nicest person ever, and, from what I can tell, she's really dedicated herself to furthering the dance community in/around San Jose.

[Funky Robotnick]

Also: anything on Oakland Boogaloo or the Fillmore?


Yo check the Damon Frost thread for a little "Berkeley Boogaloo." hahaha

Also, I'll post some more on fillmore in Sal's thread.

[DocLock]

The Locking scene in the Bay was very big. Was pretty much run by the Samoan brothers. Some siiick dancers! I would have to have imagined the DISCO scene back then had LOCKING really going on at the clubs. But I wasn't old enough to see that part of it. What I saw was from the 'street perception.'

Back in the late 70's there were a number of dance groups bearing "LOCKERS" in their names. Keep in mind, that they/we did not just LOCK, but incorporated Strutting in the routines as well.


Quick flash back (before I need my alzheimer's meds):

MIDNIGHT LOCKERS - bunch of hispanic guys right smack in my old neighborhood (near Cell Space). Years before I got into dancing I used to be real good buds with one of the members of this group. When I saw him sporting the jacket, I got so happy cause I thought "hey maybe he'll show me some moves so I could learn."......NOT!! Instead I had my first cutup with him and another member where they blew me away (though I learned from that experience cause I watched real close to what good moves they threw to counter my weak @$$ sheeit :D )

They were dammmned good in their performances though kind of thugged out (cholo-style). But then just about everyone was then too.


EXPRESS LOCKERS - I can't for the life of me remember the name of the dude who led this group but I was always under the impression he was professional dancer/performer. He was this kat who'd come dressed looking like a cowboy styled pimp! Always on the lookout for recruiting members. I remember my bud got into the group for awhile. They had a girl in the group also and I got to see them perform only once (before my friend got in). Now this group I ONLY saw straight up LOCKING.

GOLD T LOCKERS - FAMOUS SAMOAN Locking dance group. These dudes were freaking bad ass!! Only recently did I learn that they were LA - based but I remember seeing them walking down my streets and also at our hang out, California Hall. Same bud (he's Samoan) that got to hang with Express eventually became a member of Gold-T.

MIDNIGHT PERSUASION - Low rider car club with their own dance group consisting of FOUR primary dancers. They were hispanic. These main kats were some of the hardest with routines and performances. I learned a lot from a few of the dudes in this group (Carlos "Sapo" and Martin - pronounced Marteeen) Martin actually taught me to control my hit. Cool peeps who did a LOT for this dance but for some reason seems forgotten by the masses.

I think it's a disservice to the dance by letting that happen. And why I sing their praises every chance I get.
They had cool jackets, too. Picture the SOUL TRAIN logo but with a LOW RIDER BOMB instead of the train and the words

MIDNIGHT


PERSUASION

circling over the picture.


CASUALISTICS - another siiick dance group that had some intricate mixed Locking/Strutting routines. There was this one kat that was known for "vibrating" I'll have to share a story I told before about my friend and him having a live CUTUP! I remember a moment for this group at a talent show where many of us first saw Close Encounters of the Funkiest Kind. We were already tripping out and blown away by CEFK that we thought "OH NO WAY would I want to go up after that!" Well Casualistics did and they freaking RIPPED IT!!

DIABOLICAL LOCKERS - haha this was our group name for dancing at the wharf and doing shows at schools and such. A few of us could afford to have jackets made so we'd look official. Though we did get around for abit.

There's so much more to say.


I HAVE to add praises to AIKO also! She has really been repping the scene for so long (yet she still looks like she's in her twenties!!). She was in a group called QUICK STYLE back in the days. They were so awesome. I seen them in the early 80's at a show where Boogaloo Shrimp came out to promote for the Breakin movies. I learned 20 some years later that this awesome locking group (danced to Glamorous Life - Shiela E and had shiny cool outfits) consisted of Tony Lau (Gold T Lockers), Kalani (Double Klutch), another gal, and who else? AIKO!!!

Dang it's late. Gotta stop cause I will keep going and going....

[ceech]

doclock, thanx so much for dropping bay area locking history. i love it. can you also put down some dates, month and years if possible ?

it also give an idea of which group came before which.

[The2euceofSpades]

I cant thank you enough Doc. You are a great resource, and I hope everyone here benefits from your knowledge as much as I am. I know this kind of information is very personal and cherished, so I hope nobody takes advantage of it either. Totally blew me away, I dont even have questions right now...but I will be back!!! Thanks to everyone for making this thread come to life. Will be back with more questions, and everyone, feel free to drop your own stuff into this thread. For the community and all the dancers out there.

-Kan

[DocLock]

These groups mentioned were already around during the time I got into the scene. They were some (only SOME) of the known groups around that we all looked forward to seeing at talents shows and such.

So let's say between 1978 - 1981. That's when I got more active so recalling these kats meant more to me. The years after I got into other things and became one of those that "hung it up." Though I did check in the closet more often than most haha!

I tell you it was like the movie THE WARRIORS, where you see all these gangs wearing their jackets. People in the neighborhood actually MISTOOK them/us for GANGS because of that visibility.

Plus something worth mentioning, when I started learning locking back in that time, people were already saying "THAT's OLD!!! Y'all doing that old dance!!"

YES, We Were Lockers.

[Magic Mike]

wow good thread! Thanks doc lock for sharing all of that =)

[Funky Robotnick]

Awesome. Thank you Sal.

So I always wanted to know if there is a distinct bay area style (styles?) of locking? And were there different styles back then?

Damn hearing all these stories and breakdowns just makes me wish there was more footage from back then!

[DocLock]

I think the style we had was more aggressive looking. There were hard paces and a lot of continuous movements. When I realize it more, there was not a lot of emphasis on the actual "lock" as we have more of today. It was there, but we also looked more to the gymnastic abilities and if there were nice stops.

The Lockers whose names we always referred to were Shabba-Doo and "Rerun." We knew of the Lockers but those two were in the limelight more and definitely had a bigger influence. Moreso because of Soul Train, What's Happening, and later The Big Show.

The other big name thrown out was, of course, Chain Reaction. I hadn't seen C.R. until a few years later in Xanadu but did hear about them.

There was no mention of LA style or Bay style locking. We just knew people all over were doing it.

[DocLock]

Last night in class something was mentioned that triggered my fading brain cells.

There was another cool Locking Group that I'm pretty sure they were based in the Bay Area but not too sure from what part.

KEYSTONE LOCKERS
- They were one of the few groups back then that "looked" like the Lockers in that they wore the funky outfits with the stripes (remembered lots of black and white with stripes.

****************

Back then the garb was SIR jackets (windbreakers) with baggy pants.

Wore brims for hats. Dress shirts or really clean/pressed T-shirts.

Converse or kung fu shoes.

(Hush puppies made for cheap dress shoes.)

[AsiatiC.GroovMekanex]

In the 80's, the main locking group was called Star City which was a group that became big in Riordan H.S. but started in Fremont. They started as Star City Breakers around '84-'85' and just remained Star City (sometimes called Star City Lockers) as they began to strictly lock. When I was 14 years old(1984), I met this filipino cat named Angel from Fremont that taught me some moves along with me watching 'Rerun' on What's Happening. Angel was taught by the two brothers Caeser and Paul (Fremont) who taught people around the Bay. Caesar and Paul were taught by Andre Aton who was one of the founders of Star City.

From what I understand, Andre was taught by 'Lamont' who was a member of the Keystone Lockers who resided in Sacramento at the time. Andre either went to Sacred Heart or had visited the campus frequently since SH heads were getting known for locking along with graffiti. One of the guys that taught me had gone to SH. His name was Glenn Guevara who greatly used a battle style such as slaps and butt drops. At that time, the street dances became affected by the bboy mentality as Glenn taught more moves called 'cut-up moves'. Cut-ups were also concepts derived from gang fighting moves.

In 1986, my mom's best friend's son,Art Cortez, had also taught me and showed me the different Bay Area style of locking such as samoan style, OG LA Lockers style as far as concepts were concerned and a style they called 'New York' style because in NYC they did big moves as opposed to LA Lockers style. 'LA style' as they called it was described as a 'small box' movement which was close to the body and did mostly double movement (jerky moves). I didn't learn until 1999 that the 'New York' style was Chain Reaction style as taught to me by my brief teacher Bam-Bam from New York City Breakers/Soul Majestic Lockes. Bam advised me that ALL locking styles are from the west coast (naturally as locking originated in the west coast). Art Cortez was a direct student of Andre and was recognized as an honorary memeber of Renegade Rockers. In the law of the universe, Andre was not the only top locker in the Bay although he was more well-known but another filipino cat named Bennt Kezar aka Bong from SI/Lincoln HS became getting notariety using a more freestyle/acrobatic style of locking. I will tell that story in another strain...

Now one must understand, that the locking in the Bay during the 80's had veered away from the traditional locking style we use today. The style was more 'freestyle locking' involving actual 'original' moves created by individuals. Today, these moves would probably be looked down upon because they are not original Campbellocking moves along with original concepts. They did use traditional moves but SOMETIMES in different sequence. Most moves were just direct bboy-concept influenced moves. Thus battling in locking was much like watching a bboy battle as 'cut-up' moves were used.
I will talk about these 80's style and concepts in another discussion...peace Chaz/Funkee AsiatiC aka Charlie Hustle

[ceech]

that's dope knowledge brutha. thanx for sharing that chaz aka charlie hustle.. lol..

i love it how you broke it down and said your mom's best friend's son. detail info, i love it. thanx again for the knowledge bruh.

[DocLock]

THAT was dope Chaz!!

Sacred Heart was my old alma Mater! But I graduated in 79.

We were dancing in the school hallways back then and is how I met some of the dudes that were more serious about learning the dance. But you had to get into the real street element to get that "feel" and it only came from cutting up wherever you were called out.

So cool to get that confirmation about how widespread it was. I knew a couple of Ceasar's that danced back then. Also Art's name sounds very familiar too.

That's another thing about back then...there were really NO DANCE NAMES. That's just BREAKIN' The Movie. ....or maybe L.A.

Most of the "names" were nicknames at best. We all went by our own name. The only "dancer" who I could recall having a "dance name" was a guy that went by Tony Strutter. Samoan kat who was a locker and a strutter.

It was the GROUP name that brought more clout and respect.

Thanks Chaz! Had fun reading that.

[Funky Robotnick]

FUNKEE ASIATIC IN THE HOUSE!!

Thanks for the breakdown!

[The2euceofSpades]

wow, this is coming together man!!!

[AsiatiC.GroovMekanex]

This is from Art Cruz Cortez- one of the members of Star CITY Crew
He is also on facebook...

OK here it goes, it all began with me and Omar, We started Funkalelectrics when we were in Riordan, this eventually became Bay City Breakers when we grabbed Gulay (John Juanillo), then we got Jomar, then others including SOP the beebopper and the another breaker from New York. John grabbed Apoolo(LPO), Allan Perfecto, and Adrien from Jefferson. Omar grabbed Ricky..and so on and so forth too the point where everyone wanted to join. It got really ridiculous when we were battling people on the street and realizing that they were part of our crew but from a different city.

We had Bay Cty Breakers SF division, Daly City division, Foster City division, San Mateo division it was just too much. So we (the core) decided to just have a smaller crew, where the main people had a vote on who the main people should be. Which just remained the star city crew people. the name was created by guys in the crew, the "star" was a 7 point star which represented the 7 guys, the name "city" came from meaning SF, and Crew came from the crew itself. Motley( Andre Aton) came in later during practice at Jefferson. When we became Star City Crew, we decided to step it up a notch by not battling anyone on the streets but only on dance floor, that eventually became null and void once I could not enforce it.

We performed not only during dances but also In stores, mainly Macy's. We battled in competitions as a group and as individuals. One competition I wished we battled was at the SF Opera house, that included everyone, though I wish we were there. Another one I missed was the street battle over at the War Memorial in Daly City, where Riordan, SI and Renegade Rockers battled Star City Crew, and the old Bay City Breakers. That was pretty sad I heard cuz I heard only one guy from the old bay city breakers came out did three moves and nobody from the other side wanted to come out. In later years, we would side with others to represent the bay area to battle against Rock Steady Crew from New York, but that was only a fun thing, Now a days Apollo is the only one that keeps in touch with Crazy Legs and other well known DJ's. John Juanillo heard he started his own rap group. though don't know if thats a myth or not. Octaviano still sings in a music group makin records others have gone there own way.....

[DocLock]

Well don't know if it was gone really....maybe just kept typing .COM instead of .NET



http://www.lockerlegends.net

Lots of nice info from the other Skeeter Rabbit (OG Skeeter Rabbit).

Some great reading.

[Blaowser]

wow! thanks for sharing docloc. those are some pretty good stories.