living instead of existing in repetitive nothingness.

The picture on the left is from a show I patronized late in 2010. The band: powerblessings.

Tonight, I was supposed to see HOTBLACK play but I decided to stay in and spend time looking at abandoned places and things of that nature on the internets. I also purchased a Cd by an old Chicago punk/hardcore band called OUT OF ORDER which has been in constant rotation along side Econochrist, Zach Hill, Miles Davis and The Damned.

I couldn't bring my self to go to the show tonight. It's one of the only paying venues left in the area so I am in no way disregarding it. I am feeling anti social. Much like an abandoned building.

That aside, I would like to extend the spirit of going to a show in the form of an email I had sent to powerblessings singer, Jon, a day after the show pictured above.

A note: My friend Hargis came with me and had never been in a punk show situation before. I have been in enough for the both of us and was happy to see how great he responded to the experience. I have brought friends to their first punk show before and have gotten reactions from both sides of the spectrum. Most of the people I hang out with are open minded but a few-a slim few- prefer their music way far away on a stage and not in their face where all boundaries are taken away.

Too bad for them.

Without further ado, the (enhanced) email:

I recently went to a VFW in Florence, Massachusetts to see some of my favorite bands of 2010 and some new favorites.

I was familiar with the place as I had been there for a Cd release show for The Prozacs and a Roller Derby Benefit. The hall part was empty while the first band set up and everyone was in the adjacent bar.

Hargis ordered a beer and a whiskey and I had a coke.

We looked at all of the old time war posters and memorabilia in the hallway, anxious for the thing to start.

I was really happy to see everyone. A lot of us do not cross paths as much as we used to, so time had to be made up at a quicker pace.

The show:

After some microphone and P.A. problems that were remedied we were ready for battle. Get it? At a VFW?!?!

Hoax opened with a fast loose set of hardcore punk that was just the thing I was looking for. They barely stopped between songs and the singer had really good stage presence and were well received by the crowd, which was quickly filling out.

Next was Gimlet Slip. Their harmonies on both vocals and with their instruments (they are a trio) were really good. They played a harder form of pop punk which was a good contrast to the nights line up.

I looked over at Hargis a few times and he was beaming with a wide, wide smile.

The band my friend sings for powerblessings was the highlight. I have seen them three times now and am really impressed by the group.

I was elated to have stuck with powerblessings and even if Jon and I weren't old friends i'd still be into them.

Hargis made me listen to their demos three times when we came back to Prewarcondition HQ.

Everyone seems happy to be there and I'm really glad Jon cares enough and anyone who sticks their heads out like this are glad that anyone shows up.

But it's really disheartening when Jon gives kudos to the Darg and the Darg is slinging them up in the bar and isn't even seeing Jon's band play!

Mr Darg-well into his spirits- had this to say to me during powerblessings set: 'dude, you could play those bass lines.' Really!?!

I guess I could. But I don't.

powerblessings sounds pretty darn good to me from where I was standing. I wouldn't mess with the formula they have now. It's just too good to be true to listen to some times.

I was happy to get another demo-one that was a bit better produced from their first demo 'You are a Gentleman.'

Don't get me wrong here. I love Darg. I love Peace Creeps. Their demo is fucking amazing. The song 'Cabbage Night' is one of my favorite pieces of surf rock/psycho-billy I've ever heard.

I just saw how hard powerblessings and ALL the bands did it this night and couldn't deal.

I also remember the sadness that I get a these shows, the emptiness I feel when I want to be the one making the noise or I want to get everyone to be more energized instead of just standing there bopping their heads.

That's why I left. Not in some confrontational way but I really think the Peace Creeps were embarrassed because powerblessings mopped up the floor with every other band that played on Sunday.

How could you play after what they subjected us to?

So that was it. Here's some thoughts and feelings from that night:

I really hate being in the crowd. I need to play in a band again. Quickly.

It sucks to stand there and not jump in somewhere, without feeling like a dunce.

But the cool part? This will never end. Anywhere and everywhere some kids are fed up and are still making a lot of noise. They are organizing for the first time or for the millionth time. It doesn't matter.

They are living instead of existing in this gray world of repetitive nothingness.

They are happy to not be around normal people. They are spirited and unique. They all have a new and exciting viewpoint to give and share.

I guess that's why, beyond supporting my friends, I go to these things.

I also feel lucky to have been part of whatever recycled wave of punk I was immersed in back in 1988.