Thursday, May 5, 2011

ra ra ra

It seems as though the essay I wrote for I Live Sweat, and the two preceding mine by Lauren and Mariel have warranted quite a response. I just want to take the opportunity to say that I made a promise to myself when I wrote my piece that I had to feel confident about every single thing that I said. I wanted it to be completely sincere so that no matter what fucked up, lude, challenging or opposing comments were made, I wouldn't feel ganged up on and I wouldn't secondguess myself.

I haven't read any of the comments on Punknews and I won't. The support I've gotten from my friends and from some strangers too have really made me feel like maybe people are going to start speaking out more about this issue. I have a lot of peers and close friends who always write/talk/act against sexism/homophobia and all other kinds of bigotry underlying in parts of our community. It seems like that pool of people is growing and I think that's so fucking cool. When I was younger I feel like I was always observing this indifference to safety in the scene and rather than articulating my reaction to that I just kept quiet. I encourage everyone to learn how to articulate their reactions in a positive way. Speak up, yo. People will have your back.

Additionally, The Measure (SA) are playing one of their last shows EVER this weekend at Death By Audio in Brooklyn. My band Bad Banana is playing as well as our homies Big Eyes and Death First! Show's Saturday. Don't miss out.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

THUNDER ONLY HAPPPENS WHEN ITS RAINING

it would appear that I have neglected this blog. I haven't posted in some time and I attribute that oversight to all the changes in my life. I live in New York now and the New York version of myself is just like the New York version of anyone. Busy and stressed out. Don't get me wrong; I love living here. There isn't a moment of quiet or peace or fresh air but something about this city is so stimulating for right now. Maybe it's all the variety and the immediate acceptance of one another. No one stares at you, no one laughs or whispers or makes you feel like you're weird or any different from anybody else. I could be romanticizing. I grew up in a community where there was one way to be. Everyone busted their ass to essentially be as alike as they possibly could. I don't feel like it's like that here. It's really something.

I've been feeling really unstable over the past couple of weeks for a number of reasons but I can feel myself doing things to trick myself out of it. Like sweeping. And avoiding alcohol. And not playing guitar because I know I can't write anything I'll like right now. I hope I can get my footing soon. Maybe it's something else to attribute to all the change.

I wrote a piece for a blog called I Live Sweat. It's about sexism in the punk scene and you can find it here: http://ilivesweat.tumblr.com/post/5167151297/superfluous-stronghold-were-punk-but-we-aint-perfect