message to the new punk rockers
Many friends and myself lived the reality that influenced the music that you listen too, and somewhat still do. We helped pave a path of punk rock that was born
from living in our cars and closets and running out of gas when it was 1.00 a gallon. Eating top ramen
sometimes RAW because we could not pay our electricity bill
s. dumpster diving for pizza as a delicacy.
living in houses with 8 or more people. Phone? right! think again. The closest thing to a computer
we had was Pong. We lived in the threat of Nuclear war every day. And every wed at noon there were sirens that went off in Tacoma
we knew if we heard it at any other time we were in deep shit and we better put our heads between our legs and kiss our ass goodbye~!.
Also being in the threat everyday in north and south tacoma of getting chased by crips and bloods and other weirdos because we dressed different. sometimes our skateboards were our only weapon and form of transportation. cops loved harassing us. You say one wrong word and your going to jail. Drugs were an escape. A way of chemically leaving the forced way of thought and awakening to the reality of my own human existence. Some of us made it out alive.
Half of our teachers and parents were crazy but there were those who were supportive of what we believed in. my TV's got 5 channels. Thanks to the munsters, Gilligan's Island, J.P patches, Starblazers, The Beverly hillbillies, the muppets, and many others because they were my real teachers.
We knew there was something bigger out there and a way to get our message across.
punk rock and self made fanzines inspired by MRR (maximum rock n' roll) was our way. We had to write letters and send them in the mail.
To book a tour it was word of mouth and a big phone bill. Book your own fucking life was a god send.
the simplicity today is a mind blowing difference. I just renewed my drivers license online it took in 5 minutes. You don't even half to move from your
computer except to take a crap and eat, and band practice. You will probably be able to do those eventually with your computer.
The computer is neutral! what you do with it can benefit to you or a detriment. Because of the internet I can sell stuff online and make enough money to survive. Now I eat potato ground beef stew instead of uncooked top ramen. Punk rock is not a closed meeting to those who only have a badge. If you want a closed meeting and badge then join the mason's! I think the DIY is a great way of doing things. Tacoma is a tough egg to crack when it comes to finding a place to do shows. The underground scene here is bigger then any of us really know. We all need to work together. I have a great amount of respect for anyone that
takes on booking shows! house parties, all ages, bar shows, shows in the woods.