However, this blog needs updating too and I find that I should stick with the music topic rather than anything else. So what you're about to read below is a text I was asked to do in connection with a forthcoming release from a Danish hardcore/punk band. Value defining and personal check ups are more important than ever to me, so I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did given it proper thought. Info on the band will come soon enough ;-)
It's entitled SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BALANCE & APATHY, which of course is a spin-off on a classic Social D. album but also a state of awareness which seems difficult reaching.
All this and more you find in the text below.
XXX
Frydenlund
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SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BALANCE & APATHY
When asked to do an introduction to this release my immediate thought was to do a complete lash out - a dimensional wake up call. But this serves little to no purpose, except for worthless egocentric boosts. So instead I decided to elaborate on pieces of the lyrics I stumbled across on this EP.
A returning subject seems to be that of moral recession and secondly apathy. This I would like to extend my thoughts on in the below standing. All from a hardcore/punk perspective – but as we all know the lines are thin and crossover is the new black. So these thoughts may very well apply for something far more common than a subcultural scene based on a seminal-conservative set of values.
To understand the content and extend of what may be considered moral recession it’s important to look at the state of political awareness – especially among our peers. Because it really is harsh swinging about with statements such as moral recession – or moral decay even – so please consider this a well-needed spit in the other direction, an observation of contemporary punk/hardcore culture and a cry for an update on values.
Originating from a hardcore/punk background you first have to investigate the basics of the subculture while closely following the development of the scene - both dependently (it’s place and importance as opposition) and independently (measuring the temperature of the scene so to speak). Like society, people and the environment it’s dynamic; it’s constantly evolving. First and foremost to maintain it’s relevance and importance in society. Tendencies and trends come and go, of course, but the basics remain.
So with no risk of stretching it too far the basics of hardcore/punk values should surely include; political awareness, scepticism towards authorities and, to some extend, DIY ethics. The latter may also include the will and desire to stand out from mainstream society as well as radical thinking and provocative behaviour.
With these simple codes I’m not considering the extremes such as anarcho-primitivism, hardline neo-religious sXe or even leftism and/or anarchism. For the purpose of this reflective text we’re keeping it simple in order to come to grasps with the basics of hardcore/punk mentality. This way I’m hoping the points of the release will come across crystal clear.
Staring off with political awareness, I’m fully aware of the fact that the term alone will raise some eyebrows. But please let me explain. Every person, band, action or statement is political! Everything we do, or perhaps more importantly in this context, do NOT do has its effects. By not taking side or by not asking questions we’re indeed accepting. It really is as simple as that and there are no excuses.
We become what we buy, in my opinion, and that goes all the way to slaughterhouse, the rain forest, the destroyed farmer lands, the corporate factories and around the globe to the still prevailing child laboured businesses still producing relentlessly. Considering that there are indeed proper and righteous alternatives to all of this, across the board, makes it unfathomable and unbearable at the same time.
It also applies when we, as a band, submit ourselves to playing age-limited shows, corporate sponsored events or don’t even question our own ticket prices – we’re accepting! It’s by all means a political action because then the artists are supporting the actions made.
It’s irrelevant whether or not it’s out of convenience or because it’s more lucrative – if anything that makes matters even worse as that should constitute a direct conflict with the basic ideals of hardcore/punk. As mentioned – the basics remain…or at least they should!
This naturally leads me directly onto the 2nd point - scepticism towards authorities. Now please pay attention to this. It’s no secret that in our day and age politics are largely governed by business, which immediately should make the alarm bells go off. The national budgets are heavily depending on how well the commercial businesses are doing. By choice even! Instead of wasting any time advocating for a reverse of this let’s rather focus on how this affects us.
Legislation upon legislation have over the years made sure that the corporate businesses have all the game, control and power they need. Call it monopolized society or just call it a turn for the worse.
Take the breweries for instance – look at the brand value and consider any major music event in the US or Europe (even little Denmark is surely no exception) and explain me how this works. The interdependency between ’state’ and ‘business’ has become so strong and tied together that nobody’s questioning it anymore. Just think about it – when it boils down to it, it’s a product dictating the culture. And if it’s not alcohol then it’s banged up sugar and caffeine on a can or even hard liquor preserving your cultural events of choice.
Since Europe in many ways is a direct reflection of the US I dread the horror stories of North America being repeated over here. Who knows, maybe the way that aspartame (e.g. NutraSweet) was allowed being used in foods as artificial sweetener could also happen in Europe. Because of a direct political scam this dangerous stuff received approval to be used in foods in the US. Then it took little time for Europe to fall into place. Please look into aspartame and see what it really is as well as the surprising side effects.
So, bringing myself back to the point, when your band is playing an event or tour it really is a multi-layered political statement being made. And I’m not pointing in any direction here or commanding right from wrong – I’m merely asking for a value check while distancing myself entirely from apathy that seems to be taking over – also in the hardcore/punk environment in case you’re in doubt. However, it seems paradoxical that punk/hardcore bands are often seen in contexts where this interdependency is strongest of all.
This has a lot to do with the basics of DIY ethics in its core – the 3rd point I’m listing above. With a DIY approach and know-how; both as a person and as an artist, you’re capable of controlling your own output. And by controlling I mean choosing right from wrong really. It doesn’t take any strain or require anything special reality-checking once in a while. Configuring your personal moral codes if you will. If anything I would consider it a mental workout. If it hurts then you know something’s wrong!
So whether your desires are growing your own veggies, setting up your own shows, writing for a fanzine or even more direct political activities these desires will hopefully origin from a reflective stand and not one of convenience or self-absorption. The desire should make the action a necessity.
A punk/hardcore band’s DIY ethics should at the very least include: control over or complete insight into all managerial decisions. It’s as simple as that and please let me to elaborate.
In full coherence with the fundamentals of DIY ethics of the original punk scene, activities are, generically laid out, recording of music, producing of albums, artwork, distribution of releases, merchandising and all live performances.
Some bands are lucky enough to have immense capabilities within the circle of just the band members or friends and some bands are as far from that as imaginable and need allies. I’ve always found it odd that many squat-type venues refuse to deal with booking agencies – please bare in mind that the bands assign their own agents. But as with every business there are independents and corporate offices so perhaps wise to start there.
So when a band assigns an (independent!) agent to control a certain territory it seems vital to me that the band has a direct interest in what happens from there on. Which promoters are the agent(s) dealing with (again from a non-corporate perspective)? Which ticket prices are being fixed? Are the shows all-age shows and so on. All the same points as made in the above already. You cannot hide behind an agent (or management company) – it’s solely up to the artist to take an interest in this. The easy approach would be to have a set of basic rules of what goes and what doesn’t go. Care!
I’m sorry to say that this is far from the order of the day – on the contrary really. Again I think this has more to do with apathy than actual ill will, which brings me right back to where I started.
Without ridiculing anyone, without pointing any fingers and without insinuating that what I’m suggesting is the ultimate truth, then please give it all a thought or two.
Counter-culture, when it’s dishonest, is merely an illusion just as ‘power as individuals’ sentiments is worthless if you wish for a radical change for the better. This can and will only happen if we work together.
If we listen to a narrow set of voices we quickly find ourselves listening to our own echo that communicates nothing more than our own self-satisfaction. On the other hand, if we keep drifting out of sheer convenience or apathy we might as well join the other side figuratively speaking. It’s all about balance. And balance comes at a price.
