We've got work to do!!

Dear friends in bands or friends who book shows (especially GRNSTRP alums)....I have a proposal for you!

I'm gonna keep this brief, and please don't take this as a total admonishment because we have done some rad things and formed some important bonds over the last few years. We've had some really great times and made tons of memories to cherish! I just think that things have been slipping and stagnating a little bit since the closure of the GRNSTRP. It's been a slow process to be sure, but I don't think any of us can deny it. I know that lack of venues that actually "get it" has always been a problem, and might always be one. The Kraken has become a fantastic home base that I know we all love playing and having our family gatherings at. I wouldn't trade that place for the world! However, I think that we've been limiting ourselves a bit in the places we play and the audience we play to.

We need to bring in some new bands and new people!! OR THIS SCENE WILL DIE!!!! I've said it before, and again, I don't like harping on or nagging people. I just know that for the most part, this community is made up of nice people. We need to be more welcoming. We need to start booking more all-ages to bring in younger folks and hopefully guide them towards getting their minds right! I don't give a shit how awkward you feel without alchohol, try and relate to these kids without acting like a jaded, old punk fuddy-duddy! Also, we need to make a concerted effort to book more acts featuring women or people of color or LGBTQ folks! Need I remind you that our scene was built from fragmented and disenfranchised people who didn't quite fit into other micro-chasms of independent or punk music? Let's start folding all of our little corners of the independent, punk-influenced music scenes together!! Please!

I urge all of you to just think about this. If you're a part of a different, overlapping piece of this city's huge music scene, and you're reading this, consider it an invite! Drop me a line, let's play a show together! Diversify our D.I.Y. or die!!!