The Stud

The first worker-owned cooperative nightclub in the US! Keeping San Francisco queer since 1966. We host Drag, DJs, Dance Parties, Karaoke and more- check out our calendar.

Punk with Brontez Purnell and John F*cking Cartwright

Our story this week focuses on Larry LaRue famous Stud and SF dj who, allegedly was the first dj to play punk music in a club in SF, as well as the first gay club. Larry’s life intertwined with the Stud’s history when on a fateful night he filled in for a sick DJ and then became resident, he also dated an owner for 15 years after losing a pool game to him.  


In this conversation with local DJ,artworker and Stud worker-owner John Fucking Cartwright, and local artist Brontez Purnell, we talk about to social and cultural tensions that lead to the “end” of disco, our first times at gay dance clubs, and the constant comparison between SF’s artsier dirtier SOMA neighborhood and the “cleaner” more mainstream Castro neighborhood.


This episode was

Produced and Edited by: Terra Haywood

Project Management: Ben McGrath

Written and Hosted by: Mica Sigourney

Research: Chloe Miller

Extra Research by: Mark Freeman

Music for this episode by: Los Microwaves


Los Microwaves was a San Francisco based synth-punk trio who formed in 1979.

This song also appears on Josh Cheon's Dark Entries 

BART - Bay Area Retrograde Vol.1

Song - Silent Screamers

Date - 1982  

Band Members Meg Brazill ,David Javelosa.Todd Rosa


This is a link to short Stud documentary featuring Larry LaRue.

You can hear LaRue’s mixes at the  San Francisco Disco Preservation Society created by Jim Hopkins.


Jim “Edie” Fleckenstein (Larry’s partner of 15 years and Stud Owner) and Larry LaRue June 1977

Jim “Edie” Fleckenstein (Larry’s partner of 15 years and Stud Owner) and Larry LaRue June 1977