The Powercords of the GOP
I have long been torn between my music and the politics linked to it. Okay, so it's not my music... and it's not even the music I listen to the most. Should I get to the point? Yes. Punk music. Punk music is mainly a liberal movement that has been embraced by the youth, the British, and a small providence in Canada. And alot of times, when its not Indy, I'm listenening to punk and ska. However, I have always been stuck. Why would I support something so liberal and left winged?
I go to punk shows, usually when they come to Laga or the deceased Metropol, and at these shows all I hear are left-wing views and arguments. The band gets up and starts off saying "This song is about how we hate our idiot president!" and away they go. Or how about "we need to stop the war!" sha-bang. Or "this song is about how we support the union because it gives rights to the people that normally get the shaft in their line of work, and it assures that everyone gets equal treatment"... okay, maybe not that last one. But I hear these things, and I Just cringe... I brush them aside and just enjoy the loud, fast, slurred music. I guess you don't hear this as much with the ska bands, who are usually too drunk or happy to complain about politics. But the punk bands seem to make a point to start shit.
And so, I often find myself hanging out with a group of punks. This isn't a bad thing, and they are usually some fun-loving people. But our conversations and activities always turn sour when they ask me about my opinion on drilling for oil in Alaska:
1- hey dude, we are going to go protest the idea of drilling for oil in alaska next tuesday, wann come?
me- um... well, I kinda like the idea of drilling in Alaska. Really, if we don't drill that stuff and get it now, it's just going to get drilled in the future by a different president or group. We should use it, since we need it, and our South American friends aren't helping us.
1- duuuuudddde. what did you just say? Dude, you aren't a republican are you?
me- well... uh... (my jacket accidentally falls off of my shoulders, revealing a "Reaganomics 4 Life" t-shirt)
1- shitttttt dude.
Yeah, so people just assume that I am going to be a liberal because I like punk music and hang out with other liberals. But, if you know anything about me, I am quite the opposite. And so, this has long been an interesting aspect of my life until today...
While watching Fox News, I noticed a boy who looked like he could work at Hot Topic on the screen. He was the webmaster of a website called Conservative Punk.com. It was a website dedicated to punks who are also members of the Grand Old Party! He went on to talk about how the punk genre wasn't originally a liberal institution. It was unaffiliated, filled with both liberals and conservatives. But it was sort of hi-jacked by the liberal ideals of Anti-Flag, NOFX, etc.. He also spoke about people like me, who are stuck and can't really voice an opinion without being moshed to death in the middle of the street. And on the bottom scroller, it mentioned that Johnny Ramone (of the... Ramones) was actually a strong Republican... finally someone I can agree with aside from Ted Nugent!
In a time when the general consensus of my age-group seems to be "Anyone but Bush" and people find it trendy to jump on the liberal bandwagon, I am glad to see that there are some people out there that share my views. Last year, I had this great idea to start a punk band called "The Conservative Assholes" and just go around opening for NOFX. That way it would be a 'fair and balanced' concert. Of course, I realized that I can't sing... but hey, it's the thought that counts.
PS- Sean Hannity's book signing is this Friday at 8:30am at the DL Convention Center in Pittsburgh... Seeya there!
Posted by MikeRubino at March 28, 2004 2:35 PM