Two policemen were injured and at least two people were arrested Jan. 22 when a rock- and bottle-throwing melee ensued after police shut down the show, which featured Black Flag and The Runs.

According to several eyewitnesses, violence broke out when a crowd of concertgoers, impatient with standing in line, began breaking windows outside the hall. The violence spread inside after police began to clear the concert area.

"Once the cops started chasing everybody out," said one witness, "the kids just broke everything in sight."

As is often the case, the fireworks began outside the hall, not inside, where the bands performed without incident until the police arrived. Ironically, Black Flag was not part of the official bill, which originally was to feature The Subhumans, The Circle Jerks, China White and The Runs.

"We just went to play because our friends the Subhumans were on the bill," said Black Flag's Chuck Dukowski. "I wouldn't blame the police for being there, just for severely overreacting. Once they start beating kids up, the kids go crazy and destroy everything."

black flag shows which attract a loyal following of wild and woolly Huntington Beach fans, have been the focus of attention since last summer, when punk violence was at its zenith. According to Dukowski, the group has suffered from constant harassment. "The cops call up every club we play and try to discourage them from booking us," he said. "They even told a TV documentary team that if they showed up at one of our gigs, they'd all be killed." A police spokesman denied thee charges.

For now, don't expect to see more punk shows at the Polish Hall. The manager, who said the hall would be off-limits to future punk programs, estimated the riot damage at about $4,000.