"You don't look like any punk I've ever seen." I've heard this statement a few times through out my life. I try and picture what kind of punks these people might be familiar with. Maybe some X Games looking jock onstage singing about his high school sweetheart. Maybe the petty criminal punk that was popular on TV back in the day. In my current neck of the woods maybe it's the Portland street punk on the corner begging for change.

What does a punk look like? Here is a quote on the nature of punk:



"To me punk is being an individual and going against the grain and standing up and saying 'This is who I am'." - Joey Ramone

What are the greatest problems that could be fixed with the punk scene and the people in it?

That's a very big question considering that there are MANY problems with the punk scene, and some are so big to the point that I'm not sure if they CAN be fixed, but it's a good, and legitimate question, so I'll try to answer to the best of my ability. I must state, for the record, that what I will be talking about, when answering this question is what I see happening specifically to the CHICAGO scene, and my answers are NOT meant to be taken as universal solutions, but if my answers help inspire the individual to support and help improve their own local scene, then that's a Mitzvah on my part. (Sorry about the Yiddish, but I'm answering this on Yom Kippur)

 Two of the biggest problems I see, in the Chicago scene at least, is that there are almost NO all ages shows, and shows are at least $15.00 to get into. There needs to be a place that has ALL AGES shows on a REGULAR basis, and the price of admission has to come down.

 Another problem I see is that when independent promoters and music fans actually TRY to put on independent, all ages shows at reasonable prices, the cops inevitably show up, shut the shows down, and sometimes arrest people on trumped up, or absolutely FALSE charges. This happens a lot ESPECIALLY at basement or back yard shows! We've lost a few collectives in Chicago because of this. To be fair, SOMETIMES the C.P.D. are cool. They'll just shut down a show, give the owners a warning, and tell everybody to go home. It depends on the cop(s) and where the show is.

 Another problem is territoriality. Some people won't talk to other people because they're from THAT part of town. That kind of behavior must stop. We're all fans, we're all here for the music, so I think we should use that as a starting point to find common ground w/one another.

And the last thing that I can think of which is not only a Chicago problem, but a universal one is how people have become factionalized in their taste of certain styles of punk. I've been listening to punk since 1977, and back in my day we listened to EVERYTHING, but today, people only listen to certain styles of punk and won't give anything else a chance because it's different. Variety is the spice of life, so people should open up their ears. Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they're open.

What are you looking for as a musician? What are your goals?

What am I looking for? I'm not sure I understand the question. What are my goals? To be a rich and famous rock and roll star, and if I can't have that, then to at least be known internationally, have an international fan base, and be able to make a living with my music.

There is something about the punk scene that is so awesome and yet so hard to explain. The bands, the music, the friends and the crazy wild fun. It seems like if someone could bottle the underground punk experience they could make a million dollars! Has the punk scene ever been properly captured? How do you think it could be captured?


How does one bottle lightening? How does one bottle pure, raw, energy? Many have tried, and all have failed. I don't think it CAN be bottled and sold to the masses. You can document it with film, pictures, and the written word, but unless you're there in person experiencing the moment, you can't really capture what's going on. Only document it, record it and reference it for future generations to discover. I could talk about all the shows I've been to, but it wouldn't be the same as actually being at that show yourself.

 Now, I DO think the subculture has been accurately documented through out the years, but one must remember that a lot of documentation is a reflection of the times that the documentation was taking place, and these moments in history can NOT be recaptured, or even repeated in the same way. I know that there's an old saying that says that history repeats itself, but you CAN'T recreate, replicate, or duplicate what it was like to see The Ramones at CBGBs in 1976, or The Sex Pistols at The 100 Club in 1977. All one can do is live in the moment and make that particular moment special for the individual in question. If nothing else, you'll have some great memories to take with you as you journey through life.

Would you want a music video of one of your songs playing while a stripper in a bikini did a pole dance? The song would have to be under two minutes.

I don't think I write music to strip to, but then again, nobody thought Rob and Rachel Rotten would succeed in mixing punk with porn either. If somebody wanted to use my music for a strip tease, I'd be fine with that. I don't think it can be done, but I'd like to see somebody try. Best of luck with that.

Tukatukas is a high energy punk band from the French governed island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

They sing mostly in english about topics that affect them like drug abuse, pedophilia and sexism but they stay away from party politics.

There shows are non stop action and cause their fans to pogo. They recorded an album in 2012. You can listen to there music here. I think they sound totally awesome!! Find them on Facebook here.

I was really excited to check out The Slurm! Being a punk rock band in Russia it seems like these guys must be literally putting their lives on the line for what they believe in! The play really fast angry sounding street punk style. They sing in Russian but if you listen to them on their reverbnation page you can see an English translation of the lyrics which are highly political and protest driven. Awesome stuff!! Here's a video of The Slurm performing live:

Rachael-Nadine is a 23 year old rocker from Australia who is signed by Copperfield Records. She performs high energy pop punk and has five original songs on her EP as well as performs covers of Fleetwood Mac, Katy Perry, Kisschasy, Blondie & The Divinyls live. I really enjoyed the EP. She has a very cute, sweet voice and the music was upbeat and fun. I imagine it must be impossible to see her perform live and not fall in love. Keep it respectful guys LOL!!!! You can hear the EP here. Find her on Facebook here.

So you wanna decorate your room in a punk style but you don't know how? You don't need to spray paint an anarchy symbol and punch holes in the walls! Also don't buy posters at the mall unless you wanna be a poser. The best way to have an authentic punk vibe is to be a part of your local punk scene and take souvenirs from all the punk shows you go to.

Every live show has a promoter. It's the promoters job to make awesome flyers and posters for the upcoming show. The poster get hung at record stores and different locations all over town. Also at the venue where the show is located the promoter will hang posters on the walls for the show. So when you go see a show look around on the walls or in the window for posters. Once the show is over there is no problem with taking down the poster and taking it home with you. You could even bring a pen and ask the band members to sign the poster. See a bunch of shows, grab a poster at each show, hang them on your wall and there you go, a punk rock room!

If you are too young to go to punk shows or live in the middle of nowhere you can buy punk show flyers here.

Symbols is Prevrat's sophomore album and was released by Russian Winter Records. The music is a New Age style mix of post-punk, new wave and synthpop. The vocals kind of reminded me of Moody Blues for some reason? My first reaction is "Wow, this music sounds so new and futuristic". While I was listening to it I day dreamed I was in the middle of a suicide drill of a cult I was in. It's just really cool stuff and I love getting to hear awesome music like this! I wish Prevrat music was on the soundtrack of Hollywood sci-fi movies. That's my second biggest Hollywood pet peeve is when the movie is set in the future and they have music I heard when I was in high school on the soundtrack. This is the music of the future!! Listen to the album here and then buy a copy because they come with a handmade lyric book signed by the artist. Another thing that really impresses me about this band is that every song on the album has a music video. Every band should do this!!

Thirteen Shots is a UK based band with a sound that brings back the roots of 1960's combined with garage blues and horror punk. There newest album is Tales That Start With A Whisper. I reviewed their previous album Vaudeville here and there is a lot of growth in the band since then. I believe a mixture of styles is key to a good album, I want some variety on the different songs. When I listen to an album I imagine it being played at a party and how well it would go over. Each song on this album is a unique beast onto itself so I was very happy. Certain songs even had touches of pop punk and ska. What really stands out is that this band doesn't hold back and push their lyrics and sound to the full creepy level. Great vocals singing lyrics that at times went far beyond the limits of good taste and I respect that! I'm looking forward to their next album "Black Smiles" which will be released by Freaky Pug Records. They are also getting ready to tour Europe.

Buy the album and T-shirt here!

Tell me a little about the history of Kenosha punk
There has been punk rock in Kenosha for a solid 25+ years. Starting with bands like 10-96, Beautiful Burt, US Distress, Billy Club, Birth Dfx, and countless others that deserve credit. All those bands have broken up now, but most surviving members are still here rocking keno, r.i.p. to those who are not. Over the years we have hosted GG Allin, The Exploited, DRI, MDC, and even some of the Uk Subs called Kenosha home for sometime. Many bands came and went but here has always been a solid punk scene. Currently we have a bunch of awesome bands including Self Destruckt, Pistoffice, Phernology, Gimmi Crack, Scratch 45, and the list goes on. Keno-Core has never had a shortage of kick ass punk rock.
I've heard that Kenosha punk is more like a family then a scene. Could you explain how that works?
Keno-Core has always been about having a good time with good people and good music. We dont give a fuck about anything else. Nobody here cares about fashion or if they are punker that you, we really hate that shit. Here we lookout for each other, we help each other out, when someone falls you pick them up literally and figuratively. It seems like every show we play is to raise money for the family, someone whose sick or hurt, or funeral cost, or maybe just toilets for the piknik. I don't think there is a band in town that wouldn't play for free to help out the rest of us.
What are some of venues for punk shows in Kenosha?
Hattrix has basically been home base for kenocore shows for at least a decade now, and not just punk rock, any underground music from hippie jams bands to hardcore thrash metal. Most of the bars and almost every hall in town won’t have a punk show, what can I say were a rowdy bunch, but with the occasional house party and a few annual events there are shows all the time. Every year about a week before the 4th of July we have Punx on the Pier.  It’s a gorilla rock show on the lake in front of a landmark lighthouse powered by a gasoline generator about five or six bands come out and usually we can get a few hours to play before the cops shut it down, but it’s a great time. Punk Piknik is even better. It’s an all day punk show campout with over 20 bands from about noon to 10pm and party all night and its free. All you have to do is show up and there’s a good chance you'll get a free meal and have a great time with awesome people.
Is there anybody making music videos in Kenosha?
Were not making any videos so i don't know much about it. There are a few people around that are into making videos and it seems to be getting more popular. Maybe one day we'll make one of our own.
Tell me about your band Republicans On Welfare
Were a high energy punk band with songs of booze, women, and war.  We've been around for about 8 years and we'll play just about anywhere in the midwest and further if we can afford the trip. One thing thats a bit different about our show is we'll trade off instruments for the microphone. Depending on the song the lead singer could be any of us. We have had some good opportunities playing pre shows at The Rave for bands like Dropkick Murphys, Motorhead, Sublime with Rome, and Dri. Mostly we play close to home having fun with our friends.

Republicans On Welfare Facebook.

Got a news blast about mnttaB (pron. Mount-Tab)  a death disko electro synth band out of Australia, has a new LP out and I was fascinated so I checked it out. I am a big fan of death punk and death metal and a secret fan of disco so death disko sounded like something right up my alley!! And it is spooky stuff folks! Kinda reminds me of like Tangerine Dream mixed with Psychic TV. There's a throbbing sort of bass that's rhythmic with all kinds of weird beeping sounds and other beats. My favorite lyrics are "I wish I was a girl. I never kissed a girl". This would be super exciting music to experience live and sway and move too. I think I would most like to see this band play a scummy punk squat dark basement show. I just got done listening to it and all ready I feel the urge to play it again. I just got done going to a four day film fest with workshops on film making and animation so I am all full of inspiration. When I listen to this music my head is full of imagery for a music video. Like maybe a scary stalker scenario. Or a cool animation where there is a old industrial film playing with little cartoon skulls and monsters floating around. Music is magic. I imagine these intense folks pouring their passion into this incredible music and then the music takes me away half way around the world and I may even get to listen to this music in my car while I drive around my little town.

This was released on a limited pink chrome cassette that if you are savvy you could probably get a copy of or you can listen to it digitally here.