Recently, there have been a number of incidents in the Pittsburgh Punk scene that should be cause for alarm to anyone that cares about what goes on here. It’s very discouraging to hear that the majority of these incidents are being perpetrated by younger folks in the scene. I had always hoped that the youths wouldn’t end up making the same mistakes that previous generations had but here we are.
We’ve always had our fair share of miscreants, ne'er do wells and flat out assholes in the Pittsburgh scene but their knucklehead behavior could normally be mitigated in some manner so as to not have too much of a negative impact on the whole. These recent occurrences feel a bit different to me and might be indicative of a larger problem that’s starting to sprout up. I don’t know if it’s because these incidents are having a negative impact on people that I consider to be friends and care about that might be causing these incidents to seem larger or if there is an actual problem.
There was a show at the Shred Shed and at some point through the course of the evening, some things were damaged and others were stolen from the venue. The Shred Shed is a volunteer run, DIY space that also includes the print shop Metal Moon Ink. They are operated by some of the foundational members of the Pittsburgh punk and metal scene and they pretty much operate at a deficit because it’s run by people that want to try to build, create and nurture something. On most nights, the money made at the door ends up in the pockets of the bands. Especially if there’s a touring band from out of town.
The print shop is still trying to get its legs under itself but they are capable of doing a quick run of shirts and other merch when called upon. It’s kind of difficult to get a print shop up and running when people are stealing and damaging the equipment. Now they need to put time and expense into securing the print shop equipment during shows instead of putting that time and expense into creating things and honing their craft.
I have heard more than credible stories of women and trans people being harassed on multiple occasions. There have been acts and threats of violence and these seem to be increasing and quickly escalating. Pittsburgh has always had a reputation for allowing abusers to linger for some reason that I could never figure out. I guess it could be the “Well, what are you gonna do?” mindset but it is still very discouraging.
From taking a cursory glance at what’s going on around us in this country, I think the last thing that our trans siblings need right now is to be hassled on their night out. They have a difficult time as it is with bigotry and varying levels of government trying to legislate them out of existence on a daily basis. Having to put up with the ignorance of some shithead at a punk show would be mildly irritating to say the least.
Punk was supposed to be better and smarter than this. We are all outsiders in our own way and we all somehow found this music and this community and that should be the common thread that binds us. Punk shows should be the shelter from the storm for everyone that feels put down upon by the outside world.
The scene is endangered when it starts to become filled with ignorance, violence and hate. If people don’t feel safe to come out to shows, they stay home. Then we’re left with nothing but a scene full of violent, smelly, coked out, assholes that are dressed like clowns in their silly little punk uniform. And of course they’ll all end up complaining that there are never any shows anymore without realizing they’re the reason the shows went away.
The people that organize these shows and the places that host them will eventually get tired of this bullshit and stop putting shows together. I always think about how many times someone will put up with bringing their PA gear out to a show just to have it trashed all the time before they say “Fuck it. Someone else can bring a PA.” We’ll eventually run out of people that have them and are willing to put them to use.
Pittsburgh is too small and too fractured to let a handful of assholes bring the whole thing down. A lot of people have put in a lot of hard work to build this scene up over the years and I really don’t want it to fall to shambles.
Most of us come out to punk shows because the outside world is fucking awful and paying a few bucks to see our friends play music provides a small respite from the bullshit of our daily lives. This misplaced aggression needs to be redirected outward and away from this safehaven that we are trying to create for each other. I am well aware of the borderline nihilistic streak that comes with the territory but, again, that attitude should be aimed outward toward normal, boring ass society and not inward in such a way that it ruins things for others.
If you want to steal something, steal it from Stage AE or some yuppy sports bar that replaced a coffee shop. If you want to start a fight, go punch a cop or a landlord. If you want to smash something, I’m sure there’s a UPMC facility or a bank not far from your current location that has a lot of plate glass windows. If you have hate in your heart because someone is different then I suggest you educate yourself or fuck right off with that nonsense.
I don’t know what the solutions to these issues could be. I’m sure they would see a coffin dodger like me trying to talk to them and not give a shit about what I might have to say. I was young and dumb at one point in time and now I’m old and slightly less dumb but I don’t think these kids are in the mood for a history lesson or a conversation. Especially since they seem to be quick to violence.
Setting up some sort of scene police to drum people out is not very appealing either. The best I can do personally is lead by example but, again, I don’t think these kids are looking for examples when it seems that they are only concerned about creating a path of wreckage.
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