Redefining Punk and Finding Community: A Review of Against Me! at Brooklyn Steel, 2017

The house lights go down. The attention of almost 1,800 people is instantly captivated. They know what’s next. Suddenly, they hear electronic drumming, and a blue hue light tints the stage. People are screaming and clapping. Those who were at the bar hastily make their way back into the main room of the venue, Brooklyn …

“stop sneering at our joy like it’s a careless mistake”

This past week I attended two out of four nights of Jeff Rosenstock's mini-residency at Bowery Ballroom (nights 2 and 4 - the 7th and 9th -, respectively). Since I have chronic pain, I had a seat in the balcony which meant I had a great view of the show and of Jeff's fans on …

Embodying “God Damn – It’s Great To Be Alive”

It was November 26th, 2015. A Thursday. Thanksgiving, if you were in America. But I wasn’t. I had taken a red-eye flight the night before to London and found myself in a sleep-deprived haze standing inside the cavernous, and famous, Alexandra Palace. I was there hours before doors opened for the night to work a …

after all, it was rock ‘n’ roll.

My identity was formed at a young age in a dark community center room, with music blaring loudly through amps and speakers. I went to my first arena concert at age 7 (Billy Joel), my first GA concert at 12 (Sum 41), and my first local show at 13 (I honestly couldn't tell you who …