You know what bugs the hell out of me? These “punk kids” who talk through their noses at other would-be “punks,” passing judgment based on the “punkness” of their musical tastes. Yeah, you know whom I’m talking about. Those spiky belt kids who are too cool for Blink 182 or Sum 41, who find the Sex Pistols too pass? and NOFX too played-out. The hardcore, no-non-sense punk Gestapo? Yeah, I think you know the type.
This type of behavior is acceptable among indie kids. At least they have no qualms about just admitting that they’re snobs. The point of this whole punk bizness, however, is that it’s democratic?the open-minded, poor (or dirty) man’s (or woman’s) rock, charged with anti-establishmentarianism and a D.I.Y. sensibility. The point of being punk is that you can listen to or do whatever you want, without caring what the rest of your musical clique thinks about your punk pedigree.
In my estimation, there exist three categories of critical listenership. First, that person who doesn’t object to music, but doesn’t exactly obsess over it?Dave Matthews and WHFS are alright. Basic herd mentality. Second, the punk snob, rebelling against Top-40, pop-punk imposters and posers trying to infiltrate your scene. The more underground the better, and if you like Blink, you get the boot. Three, the one who understands what is or isn’t “punk” and why it may be good or bad, have keen pop-cultural sensibilities but realizes that perhaps, at some level, the reason those really “underground” bands are so uncorrupted by the evils of popularity is because they suck. Furthermore, it’s fun to bounce to *NSYNC or New Found Glory. You can shed the drab, poorly coutured punk uniform and enjoy whatever the hell you want. That’s punk.
That said, I have a pair of shows for next week that might please the whole bunch, musical-retard or reflexively ironic hipster swine. First, Joe Strummer. Yes, you read correctly, Joe Strummer of the Clash and his Mescaleros are hitting the 9:30 on Oct. 4. Although the recent Global-a-Gogo belies the stature that the man claims in our cultural landscape, it boasts impressive fusion mastery to make any Hellcat Records fan proud?punky, but with a deep dub reggae feel. Sounds kinda like, well, the Clash … He might even play of few of those old classics if you’re nice.
On Oct. 9, break out your pint glasses and get ready for the Dropkick Murphys’ return to the 9:30. It’s the Bostonian band’s first show since its St. Patty’s Day warm-up last March, and it will be full to the brim with drunken Irish antics, folk sing-a-longs and union pride. Throw in Sick of it All and Tiger Army for $15, and there’s no excuse to sit in VCE picking your nose, or whatever it is that you do.
Best of all, I think the above groups pass the “punk acceptability index,” so if you’re one of those real punks trying to earn your spurs or have a modicum of interest in great live music, I’ll see you there.
The 9:30 Club is located at 815 V. St. NW.
