HAIR AND NOW; BIG NAMES IN PUNK ROCK PUT VENTURA AREA ON MOSH MAP.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

VENTURA - The punk scene has been alive in Ventura County, its devotees say, but the current, most famous punk and ska bands arrived Wednesday and made it official before of a sea of young, tattooed, Mohawk-sporting fans.

Bands like NOFX, Green Day, Weezer and Papa Roach were some of the favorites that rolled into Seaside Park with the Vans Warped Tour 2000, energizing fans who normally have to travel to Los Angeles and Orange County for a major punk event.

``I think they realize that there's a big punk scene in Ventura County now,'' said Casey Davis, 18, of Ojai about the concert promoters. ``It's cool. I've always wanted to go to this but it's always been too far.''

In its sixth year, the Warped Tour has played across the country and in Australia, Europe and South America. Its stop in Ventura brought an estimated 10,000 fans to the all-day concert.

Considered the Lollapalooza-style showcase for punk music, the concert featured four stages hosting more than 30 bands from noon to 9 p.m. By late morning, fans were lined up, ready to sing along with bands, mosh and slam dance in mobs in front of the stages.

Thousand Oaks resident Kim Lorentson, 15, attended her third Warped Tour and said it's worth the $30 ticket, no matter where the venue.

``It's good bands. My favorite is Anti-Flag. I've always liked underground music,'' she said. ``And having it here, it's better. There's not as many people and it's not as hot.''

Police presence was evident, with 13 to 15 Ventura Police Department officers joining event security. Police Lt. Bill Bogner said the department did not anticipate any problems.

Bringing the concert to Ventura County was largely the work of Golden Voice, an independent concert production company. Co-owner Moss Jacobs said it's time that the area be counted among the more famous destinations for major concerts.

``Typically all the bands are going to play in Hollywood and Irvine,'' Jacobs said. ``Those are extremely inconvenient for people who live (in Ventura County). When Warped was looking for an additional city in California, I suggested this.''

Golden Voice also secured a Bob Dylan/Phil Lesh concert at the same venue for Friday, an event that Jacobs said, along with the Warped Tour, will be perhaps the biggest week in music that the region has ever seen.

``It has to be an amazing thing for people (in Ventura County),'' Jacobs said. ``It's always been a place where young people are into alternative and punk. To have a show that may be the best in alternative music here is really great for the kids.''

In what might be a role reversal, Orange County resident Chris Tobler, 18, and his friend made the drive north, rather than attend the Warped Tour stop today at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim.

``The one by us was going to be crowded,'' said Tobler, a blue Mohawk atop his head. ``This show has cool bands and it's at a cool location. We're here to see NOFX, Good Riddance and we came to surf, too.''

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Punk rock fans tear it up in the mosh pit during Wednesday's 30-band Warped Tour stop at Seaside Park in Ventura.

(2 -- color) Ryan ``Ruckus'' Kretzer, left, of Camarillo and Dillon DePloi of Oxnard sport gravity-defying 'dos for the punk rock concert Wednesday in Ventura.

(3) Donna A., lead singer of The Donnas, performs on one of four stages employed for the punk-rock Warped Tour concert.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer