Los Angeles freak scene

The Los Angeles freak scene (also known as the L.A. freak scene or simply freak scene) was a movement and subculture that emerged in Southern California during the early-to mid 1960s. The scene was led by Vito Paulekas, who in 1961, along with his wife Szou, established a clothing boutique on the corner of Laurel Avenue and Beverly Boulevard in Hollywood, close to Laurel Canyon. Paulekas assembled an expanding group of associates who were referred to as "freaks" or "freakers". His main partner would be Carl Franzoni (aka "Captain Fuck"), described as a "self-styled leader" of the freak scene. These individuals formed part of his dance troupe, which practiced a style of free-form dancing which noted them in Sunset Strip nightclubs as "an acid-drenched extended family of brain-damaged cohabitants". The scene would also be associated with the West Coast "freak-out" movement.

Paulekas has been described as the "King of the L.A. freak scene". His freakers would invade rock concerts for prominent local acts such as the Byrds, Love and the Mothers of Invention, which helped garner both the musicians and Vito and his freaks wider notoriety. In July 1965, the Byrds invited Vito and his freakers on a nationwide tour. Writer Barry Miles labeled Vito and his wife Szou as "the first hippies in Hollywood" and "perhaps the first hippies anywhere". In June 1966, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention released their debut album Freak Out! which was a concept album based around the L.A. freak scene. Vito and his freakers would make guest appearances on the album's closing track. The group would be credited alongside musician Kim Fowley and Suzy Creamcheese as "The Mother's Auxiliary".

Artists such as Alice Cooper, the GTOs, Captain Beefheart, Kim Fowley, Frank Zappa, the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band and Wild Man Fischer have been noted by music journalists as associated with the L.A. freak scene.