Activism - Post Punk Kitchen

“The PPK was created by me, Isa Chandra Moskowitz, in my cramped Brooklyn kitchen in 2003. The idea was simple: a fun cooking show to give vegans something to watch. And, hey, let’s throw some bands in. We also started a website to support the show and to foster a vegan cooking and baking community, where we could submit recipes, share ideas and maybe gossip a little bit.

I tricked my pal Terry Hope Romero into co-hosting the show with me. We were friends from around the punk scene, and I always loved the sushi and tamales she would bring to potlucks. Plus, she looks like an ewok and that makes for good TV. We filmed a show with the help of a few friends and neighbors and it was like a big block of tofu dropped on the head of society. The world hasn’t been the same since! Well, the vegan world anyway. Everything else is pretty much the same.


These days, The Post Punk Kitchen is really about the community. Will anyone ever make figure out how to do a home-baked vegan meringue? If it’s going to happen, we’re pretty sure it’s going to happen at the PPK. I try to parlay my love for the kitchen into my love for social justice whenever possible. I’m a strong believer in baketivism. Bake sales, benefit dinners, or outreach via cupcakes, I believe that tastebuds are the perfect vehicle for change.

My friends and I also formed a kitchen posse. We cooked for any old reason: birthdays, holidays, road trips, touring bands. We’d stay up all night making an elaborate seitan roast, wake up in the afternoon and make pancakes, go to an anti-fur demonstration then start all over again!”


Reblogged from Post Punk Kitchen website

US - Poughkeepsie, New York

“I'm from Upstate NY, around Poughkeepsie/New Paltz area. Hardcore here at this point in time is pretty non existent. No venues, nothing. Next week is the first hardcore show going on here since like June. If I want to go to any good show I usually have to travel, which I don't have a problem with, gives me a chance to meet new people and see new things, but if I could just travel 20 minutes instead of 2+ hours to see a good show that would be awesome.

Like I said before, there aren't really any venues. There’s this one big place called The Chance Theater that actually has 3 different places inside it. It kinda sucks but it gets some good shows. For example, over summer Breakdown, All Out war and Death Threat played there. That was awesome. And in February Most Precious Blood and Incendiary are playing there.

There used to be this basement that my friends and I would book shows in but it got shut down recently. Huge bummer. I did some really good shows there, played some really good shows there and went to some really good shows there. Sucks it’s not around anymore.


There aren't really many good bands going on in this area right now. Only band I can think of is Colony, they're from Westchester which is like 45 minutes away but its close enough. They just got signed to Frequency Deleted Records and just released a 7". Check that shit out. They should be touring soon with Revenge I think so check them out on that too.


But on to zines, I used to do one called Dissed & Dismissed. Really simple, couple of interviews and some record reviews. Nothing special but it was cool while it lasted. I'm starting up a new one called Wardogs with the help of a few friends of mine. That should be cool, I'm using pretty much all the Dissed and Dismissed material plus a whole bunch of new stuff. I'm psyched. Other cool zines you should check out are Down to the Felt and Atlanta Youth Report. They're both real cool.


I think hardcore right now is pretty sweet. Listen to the Violent Side and United Youth if you haven't yet.


Back to Back Records is gonna be the best label in hardcore soon enough. Triple B too. Word.”

Italy - Milano 2

Italy - Milano 1

"This report, is not meant to be a complete catalogue of all the bands and all the venues here in Milan, maybe I forgot someone, maybe I just decided to not quote someone or something because it has already been quoted in the other posts on this blog, and maybe there was not enough space to speak about ALL the bands I know. It's only a personal point of view.

Milano has a well known history of having a great hardcore scene in last two decades. Maybe in the last few years, everything has become more difficult for everyone, probably due to fact that there are fewer places to play. Socially and politically speaking, the climate in town has become more and more suffocating, and it seems like everything that's not nailed to a business/profit logic is almost cut out. So, you understand, setting up a DIY show, became a tough job.
But even though we're not living a golden age, something survives, and someone carries on, trying to do good things.

DEAF KIDS CREW is newborn collective, they set up some shows in 2010, and are always working for new ones, they're involved in cox 18 , one of the oldest (and maybe one of the last...) squats in Milano, they really work hard, if you see one of their shows you'll probably see an art exhibition, or a movie, or you will eat some lovely (vegan) food. They also cooperate with some of the other aspects of the scene.


FREEGO! Collective is a long time active collective, they set up shows in the basement of cs Leoncavallo, a space named Dauntaun, with a small concert room, and a wonderful chillin area with couches and one of the most popular italian entertainments: biliardino!


In Dauntaun you can see, punk, hardcore, indie, and sometimes noise or experimental bands!


SGA is DIY a venue, managed by some kid from the scene, it's not in Milan, but just a few kilometers up north. Many great bands have played here (Verse, Set Your Goals, Ceremony, Cursed and many more...). Low prices for entrance and bar, a low stage. perfect for fun.


VILLA VEGAN is a squat, located in the northern suburbs of Milano, they're really focused on animal liberation struggles, and anarchist activities, and they also host animals in the park around the venue. It's a good place to see or organize a show, mainly the shows are in the small basement, but in summer they move outside in the yard and it's very comfortable. Any in June they organize a party to celebrate their “squatting birthday” and this is usually a 2 days fest, where many hardcore bands play.


Besides these, I also want to quote TELOS in Saronno


THE BOX is a new space located in cs eterotopia in S.Giuliano Milanese and I also know some guys are trying to organize some shows in a club near Monza named THE FLAG.

BANDS



A FADED GLORY

You can consider AFG a so-called “Modern old school” band, they finely mix melodic tunes with both fast parts and downtempos, they have played a lot of shows, and they are probably one of the most active and interesting bands that have come out in the last 3 years. They released only an EP, named “The Missing Beginning”, but on their myspace you can hear two new unreleased songs.


AGATHA

Agatha is a long time active, all-female band, since their guitarist left some time ago they decided to not replace her, and turn from the classic “bass+guitar+drums” trio in to a two-piece, with a super distorted bass instead of the guitar, evertything is very heavy, sludgy and noisy. They have a new record out that is available for free download, and maybe it will be press soon.


LIGHT UP!

Ok, it’s time for some silly self promotion, I’m the bass player for L/U! I think there’s not too much to say ‘bout us, we’re together since November 2009, we have many influences, from classic 80’s Hardcore, to powerviolence, to some more moshy stuff… basically we play a bunch of short songs, and we try to play them fast, and loud. All our releases are available for free download.



SCENA

To me Scena is an example of how “classic” hardcore punk has to sound in the 2ks (think also of bands like Vogue or Skitkids…)., rockfish riffing, up and midtempos, everything is super-“danceable” and super fun! They’re not playing so many live shows right now, probably because cause one of them has moved out of Italy.


TO THE EMBERS

Before saying anything about this band I have to be honest: the guys in To The Embers are some of my best friends (some of them also play in Light Up!), so I don’t know if I’m completely objective…
TTE plays a very emotional and dark hardcore, which blends some old school influences with more complicated song structures, melodic/posthardcore parts, and introspective lyrics. Besides this they’re still playing fast and heavy music, and, to me, this is primary for an hardcore band.


VERME

Verme is not strictly an hardcore band, to me they sound very 90’s emo. Super catchy melodies, with very original lyrics (in Italian!) perfect for singalong!"

Zine & Blog - Kaskadura

“This blog is actually a continuation of that fanzine published on paper from 1997 to 2006 or so. Right now I'm returning to edit on paper a new zine Kaskadura which I launched earlier this year alongside the blog.

I'm also part of the band Melody Monster and we launched new material in the first half of the year, so I posted some bootleg CDs on the blog.

The material is bands of friends and also some texts that I amgradually uploading.

If anyone can lend a hand and share some things feel free, I thank you in advance.

Big hug and have a good end of the year.”

Marcello Kaskadura

US - Memphis 2

US - Memphis 1

"Just a small update since the last time I wrote, three new hardcore bands have formed.

Suspicious Minds fb



Pulltrigger which earlier this year played here on the KEEPERS OF THE FAITH TOUR


Guardian

We are starting to see a small growth in our hardcore scene and we are excited to see where it will lead us :)"

UK - South Wales 2

UK - South Wales 1

My first thought is that I think not much has changed but when I take time to find something to write about there is quite a lot of news :D

As the bands in the area go from strength to strength, it is the promotion side of things that is giving me cause for concern. TJs has closed and it seems like the end of an era but in truth it had been dying for a while now and no matter how much history there is, it is all about the present and the future and, if you neglect it, it ain’t gonna survive.


Also I hear that Alex is calling a halt to his promotion of CCHC shows at Le Pub, Newport. Almost 60 shows that have drawn some of hxc’s finest to our tiny venue. It is outstanding contribution to the life and soul of our community and he is really ending on a high note…an already sold out gig headlined by Supertouch with all of the supporting bands playing for free to cover the cost. It’s a fine tribute to Alex’s hard work and because he has been so brilliant you fear that the scene will be poorer for his absence. But there are so many respected and well connected people from our local bands that I have faith too that we can all move on :D


Alex concentrates his energy on following Cardiff City FC and you should check CCHCMMX to keep up with his news.

Two other venues that are slowly raising their profile for hxc are the Buffalo Bar in Cardiff and 6FU in Newport which was on the Hell On Earth tour schedule recently. It’s great having a larger venue in town but it was weird having Down To Nothing here and them not playing for the regulars at Le Pub! They should have popped in and played a free set like Trash Talk did the other week after supporting Cancer Bats in Cardiff. It’s difficult to see whether 6FU is going to help the hxc scene because they are putting on an Anti-Nowhere League/Tenpole Tudor gig soon and if that is the shape of things to come then I’ll be protesting soon :P

So what’s been happening with the local bands…

BWP go from strength to strength with the release of Root of All Evil


Ironclad went to Europe and released a split with the mighty NeverxAgain


Harbour have picked up some prestigious gigs around the UK and have an EP too


Crossbreaker continue their hard work & have developed their sound plus there is now a split with No Reality


Wiretap! seem to be about to split (will there be a last show?) but they do have a 7’ out with BxP.


The singer from Wiretap! is also in AOTC who have also been very busy around the UK.


The Wardogs is a new project that involves a few people from different local bands.

Ukraine - Kiev

"I'm from the city of Kiev. Hardcore is developing well. There are many wonderful groups who give good performances. They play shows for the people not for glory, not for money.

The development of hardcore is just at the start. A good shop has appeared where you can buy all the CDs, LPs, t-shirts and all the merch.

Basically, everyone has his own crew from 3 to 7 people, they go to concerts and have fun. In general, there are 1 to 2 gigs a month.

In Kiev there is some racism in hardcore but only a very small fraction."

Brazil - Sao Paulo 2

Brazil - Sao Paulo 1

I live in the center of São Paulo, I think the scene here is much larger and broader than in other states in Brazil. Being a big scene, it is well segregated by styles ranging from punk rock to grindcore. To get an idea, only this weekend, there were about four concerts in different places, and from what I saw and learned, all crowded.

The main places/venues are:

Hangar 110. It is a fairly big place that has many concerts with great bands from outside Brazil and national bands.


Espaço Impróprio. It is a house where some people involved with punk for a long time live. Besides concerts, there are also workshops, lectures and discussions related to libertarian attitudes, animal and human liberation, among other topics related to punk. I believe this is the main concert space of the local current scene.


Inferno. Here there are only a few shows, usually only for big bands. This weekend the Ratos de Porão played there, and one week ago Youth of Today.


Other than these places I could not fail to mention the event called Verdurada. It is the biggest event of hardcore from Brazil and is currently here in center of São Paulo. It is a straight edge/vegan event and consists of a show about four or five bands and in the middle of the show is a lecture/debate on issues related to vegetarianism, conscious consumption, abortion, among others. At the end of the event a vegetarian dinner is served.


There are some newer bands that play crust, grind, powerviolence, thrash/crossover, hardcore, old school.

I will mention a few bands in the region:

Narayama (powerviolence / grindcore):


Defy (crust):


D.E.R. (Grindcore):


Vingança 83 (hardcorepunk oldschool):


Days of Sunday (melodic hardcore):


Nerds Attack! RIP (fastcore):


La Revancha (powerviolence):


O Mito da Caverna (sludge):


Discrepante (d-beat/crust):


Discarga (fastcore):


Social Chaos (crust):


KOB 82 (punk rock):


The Push Mongos (skatepunk):


D-spair (d-beat):


And I play in two bands:

Ideocrime


Isabella Superstar