I am prefacing this by saying. Yeah, I know I sound like a blowhard hypocrite juvenile.
It seems as though there has been this open-ended definition given to hardcore and punk. Oh, it would just be too crazy if hardcore and punk actually had definitions. Then my favorite bands and my shitty ethics wouldn’t fit where I want them to and I’d have to go to church or Hollister where I truly belong. That being said, it’s a complete copout to say that hardcore and punk have a different meaning to everyone and that no one person is right. This isn’t an avant-garde free form jazz scene. Its hardcore punk.
Hardcore/Punk is forward thinking, angry, against mainstream culture, which preaches exploitation and personal gains at the cost of others, consumerism, conformism, sexism, and a whole host of –isms. Hardcore punk is about “tearing down walls”, individualism, and kicking and screaming against any sort of authority that dictates what we should be or who we should be.
Oddly enough, the content of this diatribe isn’t about what hardcore punk is; it’s about what its not. A few things come to mind and I’ll go into them in some detail. Christianity and pro-life have no place here. Being a bum and doing nothing to better your own life or the less fortunate around whilst bitching about all the atrocities that befall you. WOE IS YOU! Get over yourself. Lastly, the hypocrisy behind the “Support your local scene” phrase that is constantly thrown around.
Christianity…there’s no way around it. It’s weak. It’s controlling. It’s manipulative. It doesn’t belong here. Its backward thinking, outdated, and exploitative. The only sin in this world is not living your life to its fullest in whatever way you wish. Christianity is completely opposed to individualism, self-determination, and hardcore punk. If you think otherwise, you are warped. Take your bad Christian metal (leave me Stryper and Believer). Pro-life? I can’t understand how or why this is the new “hip” label to start throwing around as if there are 4 x’s now? “I’m vegan straight edge and pro-life.” That’s cool; I have a dog and two cats. What better way to oppose individualism and freedoms than to restrict personal choice. If you are against abortions, cool. Good for you. Here is a statistical fact: There are 874 billion children on this earth that should never have been born. “Do what thou wilt” “Love is the law”
Complacency. “Punk is giving the middle finger.” A lot of good a middle finger does. Change is always a direct result of a middle finger. Sure, is. You can buy and read every zine in the world, you can buy all the records in the world, you can go to every show in the world, and you can give you finger to the establishment on a daily basis. You have not changed anything. I was scoffed at a show not too long ago for being a teacher. Apparently, all teachers teach “lies, all lies.” You want a change? Be a change. Do something to help people that need it. Take the Christian approach to changing the world and….go out into it! What a concept. Take your punk ideals and work towards change. I teach because I want kids to get something out of school besides anger and disappointment. I want kids to be able to see the injustices in the world, in their communities, in their schools. I want to support kids in believing in themselves not some bullshit character education sheep mentality. Writing zines is sweet but whom are you going to reach with them? Sure, there will be some younger kids being exposed but you are preaching to the choir. There’s a bigger world out there. Ramble ramble ramble
Lastly, “Support your local scene.” Bands, promoters, dudes, and dudettes say this shit all the time. Its one of those hollow statements with no conviction. It’s going through the motions. “Go to a show you wouldn’t normally go to.” Great idea! Hollow statement. How about “Go to this show because the bands/promoters/music is honest, full of integrity, has something to say, and supports the same ideals as you.” What local scene should I support? I’ll be damned if I am going to support a show full of bands who are more concerned with $150 jeans, Nikes, and all around characteristics unassociated with hardcore punk. You can support that. I’ll support hardcore and punk shows. What’s worse is seeing kids gloat about the scene and their bands and then flat out not supporting friends’ bands or shows. Lame.
What does all that mean? The hell if I know.
For some hardcore is a place to let out frustrations and angst. For most of us, I’m sure that is the initial reason we came here. It’s definitely a great outlet for that. For some, that’s the reason people leave; growing older and I guess accepting the daily grind. To say it’s all right to have polar opposite views within one scene for the sake of acceptance and to keep the civility only waters down the ferocity that hardcore should have. Fuck that.
There’s always a fine line between the reality of things and choices we make and ideals. Sometimes a struggle to adhere to our ideals, but you claim ignorance to forget them entirely.
Oddly enough, I got a new record in the mail with an insert with this quote on it….Seems fitting so I’m adding it to this:
“In the business dealings of today’s hardcore punk scene, principled stances feel like a hindrance to many, something to shy away from for the sake of peace. Ethics can be tricky things, offensive to some, and causing dismay and aggravation amongst those who don’t share them. This can lead to ‘misunderstandings’ and ‘wrong ideas’, which no one wants to have, at least, no one who wants any modicum of success in our underground. Those who do shy away from impolite political conversation are rewarded for not rocking the boat. Troublemakers are not. In keeping our alternative world’s engine lubricated with ‘no hard feelings’ and passive attitudes, the point of creating the option is rendered void.
We will accept no less than total freedom from what disgusts us. The misunderstanding and aggravation that erupts from those with waif-thin ethics and laid-back attitudes to what’s acceptable isn’t surprising. There has been a misunderstanding – you don’t understand. The social safety in the underground and expanding scumbag capitalist business sense that usurp our independence from mainstream values are the enemy. Any kind of goal or achievement must be labored for, and to keep it from slipping away, requires more work and commitment. That doesn’t mean its not within reach. This is our corner, and we’ll fight viciously to keep it. No negotiating, no surrender, no compromise” – John Fahy 2007
Do yourself a favor, pick up the Hombrinus Dudes / Merkit split. Good bands with good things to say.
