Going to a punk show could cost you a finger

 19th December, show at La Sottorenea with Violence City, Snatchers, Caniche 666 and No Waves. I arrived there around 19h45, I see julian at the entrace. He's there early, hopes to leave not too late, having more plans to come. We smoke, talk about Gun's N' Roses, local scene controversies and bands. Controversies are everywhere in this scene, everyone wants a name, no matter how dirty or how insane you have to act to have a tail waggin behind you. Rumors spread like wildfire, the music is the wind that keeps hailing the fire. Truly, I believe the scene is not at it's best, because politics, drugs and the social media have been injected in it. People demand from the artists certain standards, lyrics not too controversial, a certain dress code, a way to act and speak. The kids want to be represented, but I state that they don't even fucking know what they want or what they should resemble. Whatever. Cigarettes are done, inside we are, no one. Dead. Silence. Almost. I could hear every naughty thought eat away my sanity. Fuck. Why is there no one when the show starts at eight. Because on the flyer, it's written everywhere eight o'clock, so I guess people taught it was eight. I talk with Charles, Raph, Justin from Conflit Majeur, and more. We laugh, we joke and more. Out we are, 8h15, beer is required, smokes and more cheap talk. 20h30, we are back, smoking outside, inside, the show started. We discuss drugs, the abuse of it, the nostalgia of weird nights and chaotic moments. Which brings me to think, the scene is all about containing the chaos, promoting good moments and trying to be clean, but truly we all are looking for the thrills. The whole world is at a thrill crisis actually with internet and dopamine eating and screwging our lives. We want more dopamine, more sex, more thrills yet are stuck with lifestyles and allures on internet, we have to have a portfolio and a career based off our instagram. So of course, I find it funny that the punk scene which is suppose to be wild, is trying to allure clean and lean. So it's always just plotting, people drinking and fucking all over the place yet when at a show, one must look and talk corporately. 

We are back inside, Violence City are finishing their set, a set of youngsters came in, the place is getting filled up. People are hyped, but nothing too crazy, I expected more movement.The band finishes, and up next is The Snatchers. Back outside, more beer, more talk, more freezing. Back in, music starts, now the venue is filled with a hundred and more people. When I arrive, their classical theme song or in between type of interlude is going on. I dance with Charles, which ends with uncontrollable spins and a sense of dizzyness consumes my mind. Suddenly, the cops come in, stop the show, demand if someone who is stabbed has been seen. Everyone acknowledges and in confusion, we all say no. After that I go in the bathroom, every one is weirded out, people talk, rats come out and mingle to find the golden cheese. The fuss of the fuss. Who is who, what's the story morning glory and what exactly is going on. Every one talks, bullshit after bullshit. Julian is missing, I have my doubts, and another guy I saw earlier is also missing. Oh well, maybe there's a match here. More beer, more talk, more eyeing and questionning. I listen, to all, like Dobby waiting for the golden command. Like a dog sniffing for the truffles, I feast on the brouahaha going on. I like it, everyone knows everyone here but I am an outsider so it's funny to see people brew the strangest stories about friends or foes and then they become wizards, prophets and they cast their knowledge or theories on social media or outside at the shows. And of course we all went outside, we saw plenty of policement, a parameter had been established. People became insane, so much talk, I almost lost my mind. Some were afraid, some jubiling, others stunned. What is going on. Well story goes that an altercation happened, and someone almost lost a finger. A hefty price for a punk show in my opinion. As The Snatchers finished, everyone went outside and then a hoard of rumors spread and I could almost see the conquering of middle earth by sauron. That's how fast the hyposthesis and statements went flying out. Friends were worryied for the assaulted person, it happened that this person had lived now two assaultments in a very short time lapse. How beautiful, or provocative do you have to be for this to happen. And were not even in the USA. I believe he should stay far from the USA, especially from the Bronx and other sketchy regions and cities. Raph and I decide to joke and go see a policemen to question the perimeter that has been setup. Turns out the police girl was in no mood to joke. After that, a pack of six beer was bought, we chugged and joked more. Talks of Lucien Francoeur, poets and art in general echoe through the night. 

Inside, the show goes on, it's great but not fantastic. Something was off, everything seemed to be a reason to do else than listen to the music. And it's not the bands fault, at all, they all played sensationally. But gatherings are openings for a lot of opportunities, good and bad. A lot of messing around, joking, drinking, and even finger cutting. My point is, this scene lacks unity sometimes because bands are simply there to play music and yet the public has a hard time staying, watching, and when they do, they wine a lot. They start dictating what bands should say, do, how to dress and more. I get it, we all want to have a purpose, but if dictating is the purpose searched for, politics is the game, not music. But it's always been like that, it ain't new, the Stones, the Beatles, The Sex Pistols, The Byrds, The Eagles, U2, Jimi Hendrix, and all musicians have seen this, had to battle their case in journals and more. The publics always been picking details and fights with any misregarded act or mistake by bands in albums or shows or in the street. We must simply stop hiding it, accept that certain people want the chaos, some want to butt heads and others come to enjoy music. The scene is a great place, but a veil lays upon it for no reason in my opinion. Let's state the chaos as it is, yes we can hope and fight for a change, but let's once again state the facts. By the end of the night, I was tired, I drove a friend home and went back to my place thinking, well bloody hell, the Stones were right, you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need. For some it's a fight, others a joke, others music and for me, it's a bit of all of that. But mostly, I like to see the bands and the friends, the community trying to grow and outgrow from shells and burdens. Ain't that what life is all about? 

Thanks for reading, love you and see you soon.