On the Journey: That's HARDCORE!!

LOL! I went to a hardcore show at the Melbourne JayCees (anyone out there remember the old Spectrum venue? Shows on like Tuesday nights at the Tab in north Melbourne like ten years ago?) with my sister, Cari. Seriously, I had a blast!

It's been probably almost ten years since I was at a hardcore show last, but some things remain the same. The dark, hot room. Kids standing or sitting around, bopping their heads. Older kids with tattoos and lots of piercings. (Pink snakebites, I tell you! This guy had pink, iridescent snakebites!)

Some things are different. Ten years ago the fashions were BIG BIG pants (legs wide enough for you and all your band equipment!) Now... there's the whole neo emo thing... and hmm. Those skinny mini pants. I am just not used to guys in those. LOL!

The first band we saw was okay. The singer was so emo-- you know that whole sullen, 'woe unto me for I am here' thing? Yeah, he had that going on the whole performance. I wanted to be like, dude-- showmanship. At least bop your head morosely or something during the three minute intro.

The second band, made up of my sister's friends, was a polar opposite. I kept cracking up-- in a good way-- because they were so HAPPY! Happy hardcore?! LOL! I loved it! They also had a singer who sang (and I mean that in the melodic sense) something akin to bridges of the songs. It really worked, I thought. They were really tight.

Anyway, I had a really great time! I'd like to go to shows now and then, especially while I'm working on this project. (and the sequel...)

I love research trips like that!