More by: Claire

     2010. What the fuck. I can’t believe that it’s already been 10 years since my 13-year-old self thought that the world was ending because of Y2K. It’s kind of crazy when I think about it because I have become almost everything I am today in the last 10 years, and although in retrospect it seems like it went by super fast, when I think back I remember many times when it seemed like it would never end. So much has stayed the same and so much has changed, especially in terms of West Michigan punk and hardcore, and while I wouldn’t say it’s the best it’s ever been, it definitely has come a long way since I first started going to shows in 2002. One of the biggest changes has been that West Michigan actually has quite a few bands that are actively playing shows, touring, and putting out records which is a change from the past few years when there was a plethora of bands that weren’t doing anything. Grand Rapids has always been the type of city to go through highs and lows in terms of punk, and while it’s exciting to be here when there is a lot going on, I’m becoming more and more burnt out.

            One thing I’ve always thought this area lacked was a real community. Associating with a certain music genre doesn’t make a community it just makes a group of people with common interests. And though we may think we have a punk “community” we really don’t. Whether it be an American value in general or one specific to this area, the individualistic attitude (doing everything alone either by choice or because nobody else wants to put in the effort) has plagued this area ever since I’ve been going to shows. Everybody is pretty much only into their own band or their friends’ bands and while it’s good to have local pride and support, one needs only to look at show attendance for shows where there are more touring bands than local bands to see where people’s interest lies (or shows that aren’t keg parties… then you really see a discrepancy in the amount of people…).

            I’m not trying to be super negative in writing this column, more so just critical of where we are and where we’re headed. Since starting this site I’ve noticed that most people would rather complain about what’s not on the site or what’s wrong with the site than compliment it or offer to help with it, which is incredibly frustrating. The site was started in hopes of creating this community I’m talking about, or at least expanding communication in West Michigan to prevent some of the problems we’ve had in the past (double-booking shows, lack of attendance etc. etc.) and while it has helped in some ways, there are times when I wonder if the ends are worth the means. People are still apathetic, people are still complaining and not taking action. Is this area doomed to always be like this? Or can we make it better than it ever has been before? While some may argue it’s like this everywhere I would have to say that having lived in and traveled to many different places, West Michigan is unique in its situation. We have amazing bands, venues, and shows, but a very shaky and transient community that is full of SO MUCH potential that is not being carried out.

            So here we are. 34 years into punk. And this city could be awesome. It’s always been on the brink but never quite there. And the one thing that would certainly help is actually working towards real community and improvement. Never settling. Never accepting things as “good enough”. Constantly challenging ourselves to come up with new solutions and new ways to do the things we’ve always wanted to do. Riding ourselves of apathy and a “don’t give a fuck” attitude. Striving for sustainability outside of mainstream society and working towards ends that are worth the means. What will the next decade mean for West Michigan punk and hardcore? Will we finally get what we all want? A scene full of awesome supportive people that are actually making a difference and producing change? Or a scene full of apathetic consumers that are content with the ways things are? Hopefully the future will bring what I know we are capable of achieving and for the sake of getting too preachy I’m going to end this column by quoting one of the most inspirational bands of all time, Sham 69… “If only we could get together… then I know we’d live forever… live forever… live forever”.