As somebody who has booked shows in my local scene for 7 years, books tours for bands (bands that I was in or just bands that trust me to do so), has played and continues to play in touring hardcore bands, has put out records, opened my house to any and every hardcore band I could, and attended shows and fests all over the world, the state of the hardcore scene is important to me.
I feel that hardcore has given me so much, that it is my obligation to give back and set an example for younger kids in my local scene and across the country. Hardcore IS more than music. It is more than a look or a social group. Hardcore is a way of life. It is MY way of life. Unfortunately, it's something that I feel like, gets twisted and distorted and raped on a daily basis.
DO NOT get me wrong. I'm not talking just of the faceless clones on a message board. I'm also talking about people you see in the hardcore scene, in bands, doing labels, doing shows, who are there for nothing more than status or to gain a buck.
I am in the unique position to be able to observe the actions of every over hyped, over appreciated, bullshit artist fraud from the inside. And let me say, for every band, label or person that is deserving of their hype and mean what they say, there are 500 that don't. So from me, a true believer, a lifer, I give you my sincerest "fuck you". Your band or label may seem important today, but it will not last. You will move on, and you will be forgotten. At the end of it all, I will still be here.
With that being said, I still find people in hardcore that inspire me to succeed in everything I do hardcore or not. As much as I want to dislike the hardcore scene today, some people make it worth it.
Thanks to hardcore I have made the realest connections with some of the best people I could ever want in my life. I'd like to take this time to acknowledge those people.
Juicy Joel - You are the reason I am who I am and you constantly motivate me to be the best musician and man I can be. I love you. We are not meant for this world, but we ride together forever.
Joe Hardcore - You always manage to give the best advice whenever I'm in need of it. The love you've shown myself and more importantly, my brother will always be appreciated. You have certainly earned your title.
Scott Vogel - The positive attitude towards hardcore is a constant inspiration to me to keep my eyes on the prize and appreciate what I've got. You are the realest of the real.
Richie Krutch - You are a wise man and I'm proud to consider you my friend. You have so many years under your belt in this game and still remain true. Truly a man to respect.
Zoli Teglas - For constantly pushing me to do more with my musical talent and leaving me obscene messages in the middle of the night.
I would also like to shout out the following people for inspiring me to keep pushing on and overall being great friends that I met through hardcore. David Wood, Smac Man, Alysha Romero, Sam TUI, Javi and Marshall from The Warriors, Dave Heck, John Bowes, Liz, Ethan Nation, Bryan Harris, Frankie (lifts weights) and my band, COA, Mickey, Chimpo, Mike C, Pete DON, Jeffy, Gabe Wells & Rob To Live, Stu Brundy, Bruce LePage, Terence and Rachel, Chris NASE & Wisdom In Chains, Daniel Die Young, Laredo, TX, Jake, Joaquin NM, Mary KC, Jamie & Andrew in Socal, Mikey Gonsalves, Timmy Peterson, Whiteboy Ben & Andrew A Block, Chedge, and other people, There's too many to name.
"If you ain't feelin this, them damn it, this ain't for you"
They call me the breeze, ride along as I proceed...
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Thanks for these words Memphis. I found Hardcore after living in Rome for 15 months. I needed something to match the deep commitment to life (and not only consumerism) I experienced there, especially amongst the Ultras (what we would mistakenly label 'hooligans'). Like Hardcore the Ultras live with a deep set of ethics, what they call their 'mentalita', that place them at odds, really at war, with the modern world. Honor, strength, loyalty, commitment, sacrifice, and a deep love for particularity and hatred of universals guide the Ultras. For me, Hardcore is the same, even if I am prone to Romanticism. As you described, Hardcore is suffering from the materialism and ignorance of its current generation - a generation raised to dismiss all tradition and value beyond greed and superfluousness; a generation that believes that worthiness comes from wearing a particular t-shirt. The same is happening in the Ultras and other forms of Traditionalism. In Italy it is understood to be a product of Americanization/globalization. Here, it is because the only honorable elements of culture come in the form of phenomena like Hardcore - entirely disengaged from the mob and seeking a self-sustaining community of like-minded adherents. Of course, this vision of Hardcore might be mine own, but your words made me feel otherwise. Forza ed Onore!
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