Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Rock Doc Knock Knock

Okay, no; we don't have a dumb knock-knock joke here. And you're welcome. We do have a little beef, however. We'd really like to know why nobody's done a documentary about Frontier Records founder Lisa Fancher. We just looked through this year's film schedule for Allison Anders' fantastic Don't Knock The Rock festival, and while we have absolutely no problem whatsoever with the lineup, it seems like every other seminal LA punk figure has been made the focus of a filmmaker's lens. What gives?
Oh, perhaps we shouldn't split hairs. We're going to have our fill of music docs at the festival this weekend, starting tonight with Ghost On The Highway, director Kurt Voss' portrait of Jeffrey Lee Pierce and the Gun Club. The film is going to be followed with a live performance by former Gun Club members Kid Congo Powers, Ward Dotson, and Terry Graham (and the ever-popular "mystery guest vocalists"), and the rest of the weekend looks pretty similarly kick-ass. We've already seen the truly stellar Minutemen documentary We Jam Econo, and of course Dave Markey's soap saga Lovedolls Superstar, so if the rest of the festival measures up to that standard, we're there.
But still... Long Gone John gets a documentary and Lisa Fancher doesn't? Phoo.
Photo by Kables via Flickr
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out.
-
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.