Boulder CO is in a DIY hotbed, and I got to chill for a while (like 4 hours in the snow with two screws in my tire). Tonight’s venue was a Methodist church. Here’s everything I am excited about:
Punk Standard is a booking crew run by local band Chair.Bomb and assisted by every single punk in a 15-mile radius. Everyone wants to see this succeed. Unsanctioned DIY has a unique place within Denver’s culture. It’s no secret Denver is lucky to have SO many sanctioned DIY spaces. Spaces like D3, Squirm gallery, Creepatorium, 7C, Mutiny – the list does not stop.
Unsanctioned DIY – adults in the building? A couple of parents, that’s it. Literally two. Most importantly, no one from the church to see how many holes got put in the wall. How much drugging and boozing happened (if you’ are’re from the church forget that last part). And if that isn’t indicator enough of the lack of self-preservation, who knows what is? Going into a room where I know maybe a handful of people and being welcomed with open arms, then getting to watch that sense of oneness turn into a spinning tornado of fun and comradery?
First up in the line was Soneffs. They feed off the crowd’s energy and then reflect it RIGHT back, having presence akin to a certified forklift operator. These boys RIP, and I am even going to be selling my prints at their next show! Check us out on Feb 21st at SRS!
Plastik Mystik is a band I hadn’t heard before, but now, I can’t stop thinking about them. Having the lead mic cut out for half the set only made the screaming more enjoyable. No amplification, just a sustained war cry. The band sticker made it onto my car immediately and I strongly encourage everyone to be present with the sound, the smell, the taste of blood from your lip. Make sure you support Plastik Mystik, in person, with cash, at a show.
Not my first time and not my last time seeing these bands, and I am so impressed with how they operate punk standard. By showing the fuck up. They also make youtube videos documenting some of the chaos. DIY OR DIE! Is this motto sustainable? …No (please don’t die). But does this motto capture that impermanence, and need to show up while we still have a culture like this? Abso-fucking-lutley. Chair.bomb is a two-piece drum and bass outfit with a secret 3rd member; a guitar gently placed face up so the bassist (Zane) can curb stomp a noise bath directly into your soul. I am so serious, the abuse the secret 3rd band member gets is a strong case for “means to an end”. The demons took over and threw me on top of the crowd and into the mosh, camera included.
And finally, up and coming Scorplings took the stage with some people heading out for the night (stay for the headliner!!). Scorplings joined the chat fully formed. Seriously, I think the first note anyone played was at the start of the set. Impressive. The people who left early only gave more room for the wild ones to throw down. The grit coming off the bass was translated into circle pits, karate moves, and bodies crashing into one another indiscriminately.
DIY OR DIE!
Thanks again @paaaate for checking this out! Drop us a comment on any random post if you have any DIY concerts you want us to check out, and don’t forget to grab some FYSM merch before you go!
