Skip to Content
Music

The San Fernando Valley’s Only DIY Punk Space Asks For Help to Recover From Severe Water Leak From Rain

The Midnight Hour in San Fernando has hosted dozens of benefit shows, raising thousands of dollars for local LGBTQ+ and Palestinian organizations. Its landlord reportedly refused to help with repairs or lost income due to damaged equipment and goods at the shop. A fundraiser is now up.

The record rainfall that has fallen over Los Angeles has taken a toll on one of L.A.'s only independently owned venues and record shops, The Midnight Hour in San Fernando.

"Unfortunately, on February 1st, [the Midnight Hour] experienced a severe water leak from the rain, damaging the walls, structure, supplies, and equipment," a GoFundMe page says. "The Midnight Hour reached out to insurance and landlord in seeking help, but both have stated all damages incurred to the building will be the responsibility of The Midnight Hour to fix."

The record shop was opened in downtown San Fernando in 2021 by Sergio Amalfitano, a musician. His band, ACxDC (short for "Anti Christ Demon Core), has grown a loyal following for their raw powerviolence punk rock sound.

In November, Amalfitano raised over $16,000 for two Palestinian organizations at a benefit show where a Jewish punk band performed. The show was nearly sold out and took place at Midnight Records.

The national punk rock and hardcore community that the owner has supported seems to have his back, considering his GoFundMe drive is already more than halfway completed.

"Without outside help on these costs The Midnight Hour will not be able to survive, says their GoFundMe. "If you've ever come to a concert, event, or picked some records and would like to see The Midnight Hour Records survive please consider donating or helping in any way you can."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Daily Memo: While ICE Lays Low, They’re Still Active While Building Up Its Fleet, Offices, and Detention Centers

ICE activity still continues at a slower pace, but it has not disappeared. This past weekend was a rare, quiet one. What we’re seeing is that ICE is laying low, sticking to courthouses, jails, and check-ins, especially from their special ISAP unit.

ICE Rams Vehicle and Hospitalizes the Same U.S. Citizen Again in Ventura County

"I expect this kind of lawlessness from ICE, I don’t expect the hospitals to be complicit in that lawlessness and detain people," says Thomas Harvey, one of Leonardo Martinez's lawyers, after the hospital refused to remove his handcuffs.

One of the Best San Fernando Valley Coffee Shops Owes Its Success to Argentine Culture

Mate has been enjoyed in the region for centuries, originally by the Indigenous Guaraní people and eventually spread by Jesuit missionaries. In time, the drink became a symbol of unity and togetherness since it is a common pastime in Argentina.

March 10, 2026

The Best Signs That Turned Tired Legs into Smiles at the 41st L.A. Marathon

Despite those who found street closures a nuisance, the overall consensus was that this city shows up for its people. In a time when community is most needed, supporters showed up with a level of commitment L.A. could use more of these days.

March 9, 2026

Iranian National Dies in Mississippi, Marking 17th ICE-Related Death Since December 31

Fifty-nine-year-old Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi is currently the 11th person to have died while in ICE custody this year that we know of, and the 17th ICE-related death since the killing of Keith Porter on December 31, 2025.

March 9, 2026

Trump’s ‘Deportation Judges’ Take Over Has Begun: Half of L.A. Immigrants Now Miss Court and Get Deported Sight Unseen

The Trump administration fired a quarter of the nation's immigration judges and the Pentagon authorized 600 military lawyers to replace them. They’re recruiting for "deportation judges" on social media. Fewer than 3 in 100 of the people asking for asylum get to stay.

March 9, 2026
See all posts