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.
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.
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