I mean, every single member of the band is extremely attractive. Shiiiiit, only $10 for a ticket to see that many hot men on one stage? I'll pay to get down with some guilt-free objectification. I didn't start to really pay attention until the last two shows. At BAMcafe I got to really listen. At Le Poisson Rouge I got to really observe.
They're good. Great lyrics, dope message, talented musicians. Live show game is what's really on point. You know that they haven't sold their souls. The fans have an actual experience. Leaving is like coming off a high. I wanna call all my friends and get all Fist Up about shit. Sweat, unexplained bruises. You might be moved. I can dig that.
So I'm at Le Poisson Rouge for a GR show with Nicole. She leaves to talk to some friends or something and I begin to wander. There's a serious mosh pit going that I'm trying to avoid; my sub-par health insurance requires me to keep at least eight feet away. This girl is standing next to me and seems to know all the words. I've seen her before, around Brooklyn and at parties. She's not traditionally beautiful, but has a face that makes you want to know her. Tall, slender, brown-skinned girl, shaved head with a five o'clock shadow. Dressed like the poster girl for Brooklyn bohemian/neo-soul/progressive/BlahBlahBlah. She catches me staring and nods her head at me. I can feel her eyes checking me out. I'm in my Thank-God-For-Leggings outfit and ballet flats, minimal accessories, light make-up. I know I have just been mentally categorized as UnCool. If it were 10 years ago I might have given a fuck.
Her body language reads BK hood recognition, deems it OK to speak.
"Hey there."
"Hi!" I'm trying to be heard above the music. And she's tall.
"Is this your first punk show?"
Oh, this bitch.
"Actually, my babysitter took me with her to a Violent Femmes concert in like, '85. What was your first punk show?"
Blank stare. I swear I'm not trying to be catty. Well, Ok I guess am. I'm thinking she wasn't even born in 1985. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, maybe she doesn't consider Violent Femmes to be punk. Which is some bullshit, but whatever.
Just say you like it when the lead singer takes off his shirt. That's what drew me here in the first place.
Taking a small poll of the audience, it seems more than a few concert goers that night (I only talked to chicks, btw) didn't know much about rock music. I guess it doesn't matter, as long as you're enjoying the show and appreciate good music. But I mean, some folks were on some I-live-and-die-for-hip hop-and-rock-n-roll-C'mon son-!- type shit. If you asked me about some of my favorite punk bands, the truth would be that I don't have any. Not exactly my genre of choice. But if I wanted to fake it, I could at least throw The Ramones at you. Or The Stooges, or The Clash. Or you know what, I'll even risk credibility and give you Green Day. Or fuck punk, what about some other shit? I will say that a good majority of the audience was really stylish and good looking, which has got to count for something.
Another example, I once sat through a 10 minute speech on the successful merger of rock and hip hop from a die hard GAME fan. I find some way to relate my story about sitting next to Robert Plant. He's like, I'm not familiar with Robert Plant. Ohhh really? Maybe not the one I should be listening to about the successful merger of rock and hip hop, then. What if I told you I wasn't familiar with Biggie? Errr maybe not a good comparison but you know what I mean.
What is Afro-Punk, anyway? The whole concept seems a little contrived. Political? Anti-establishment? A revolt on main stream? Isn't that like, punk? Is Afro-Punk the black experience within punk music? What comes to mind when you think of Bad Brains or Living Colour? Afro-punk or...punk...or rock...or what? Is it like the difference between swine flu and regular flu? I am gonna get some shit for this, but I'm for real.
I swear I'm not a music snob. Or maybe I am. I don't pretend to know everything but I think I have a good ear. I like discovering new bands. Or going through my Pops vinyl collection and discovering old ones. Somewhat sad to say my iPod has abandoned hip hop for alternative rock. I love live music, stumbling into small venues with $5 cover charges. I like having the option to discuss things with the drummer or being close enough to swipe the set list.
I'm a brown girl without much edge, which usually sets me apart at rock concerts. I know my shit, though.
So stop frontin', shut the fuck up, and don't look at me sideways for not participating in the mosh pit.
Perfect gift from Erin today. A mini Sid Vicious that will protect me from wackness:
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