I have been watching the DNC Convention coverage lowlights today and saw something funny. There are these protesters who are basically anarchist staging protest of the convention. The media can’t figure out why these guys would be protesting the DNC Convention instead they believe the protesters should be preparing themselves for the RNC Convention. It is sad that the media, just like the average American, now even believe their own lies. These guys are exercising their right to protest/gather. They will probably be at the RNC Convention in fact I pray they do.

My family and I were watching the Punk Years on VH1’s History of Rock and Roll. It was a good show, but didn’t really scratch the surface of the real punk movement that emerged in the 1980’s. The punk of the late 70’s started out of protest in the UK, and eventually sold out when the major record labels got a hold of it. There was some great bands that came out of the 70’s punk movement, but the truth is that there was no substance to the bands. They believed in elicit sex and drug usage, fashion and fad, while the real punk movement of the 80’s rebelled against those ideals.

The discussion we had after the show was really good and it made me think. My wife and I both agree that the punk music and bands of the late 70’s, like the ones considered “punk” and “hardcore” today are anything but. They are mostly sell outs with no substance. They don’t stand for anything of value. They only oppose one side of government and one political party. They don’t stand against the oppression of government as a whole. They don’t stand on beliefs that we are free and equal people. They are nothing more than fad shells who think tattoos and yelling the “F” word are what makes you controversial. Sure the punk bands of the 80’s yelled the “F” word quite a bit, but that isn’t what made the music controversial. It was the lyrics. It was the voice of resistance. The band I was friends with back in the 80’s was a local band called Jehovah’s Sicknesses. They were the perfect example of what hardcore was and as a testament to hardcore they are still around today.

If you want to see what the 80’s hardcore movement is all about check out American Hardcore. I found the movie on YouTube and it is really good. I am buying my copy and I encourage all of you who claimed to be hardcore or who wanted to be hardcore to watch this video and buy your copy.

Oh I almost forgot, if you want to listen to some good hardcore punk tune in to Tampa Pirate Rebel Radio from 10PM till whenever nightly for your punk fix.

Peace and enjoy!

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Part 10