Steel Notes Magazine
PUNK ROCK ON THE BLOCK !!!!!!
Reviewed and photographed by : JOSiE ( Joanne Janci ) The Alternative Gallery , Allentown , PA
January 21 , 2017
Matinees are always awesome ! Traditionally a matinee is cheaper , less crowded , and just as satisfying as the prime time equivalent . I prefer a matinee whenever it ’ s available because it opens up your night for the opportunity for another bout of entertainment . So it stands to reason that matinee day is two-fer day !
Oh , the grand pleasure from a matinee ! ( and a nooner , everyone likes a nooner … Hence , I digress )
Now , let ’ s step this matinee experience up a notch and house this matinee in one of the most interesting and socially responsible venues in the Lehigh Valley . While we are at it , let ’ s add some dedicated bohemian volunteers who have a common altruistic goal of helping local artisans showcase their work and jumpstart their careers . And as icing on the metaphorical cake let ’ s make this matinee a slam dancing , Mohawk sporting , jack boot wearing , fucking punk rock block party ! That , my friends , is one hell of a matinee …. and one reason why my job is better than yours !
February 2017
The Alternative Gallery in Allentown PA was the gathering place for local punk rock lovers on Saturday . When I arrived ; I was immediately greeted by a world of beautiful individuality . The all ages show encouraged anyone and everyone who wanted to experience the energy of the music , to attend . There were 70-year-old men with white beards and skater hats . There were children on parent ’ s laps wearing noise blocking ear phones . There were black men , Spanish women , LBGT groups , disabled people and even a couple of chicks-not many , but a few .
There ’ s never many females at punk rock shows … which sucks because let me tell you , as one of those chicks who used to pogo in the pit — it really is , bucket-list-worthy ! If you haven ’ t experienced the energy of a woofer blowing , triple time tempo , slam dancing show with synchronized riffs and a vocalist whose job is to spend as much time in the crowd as on the stage ; well , then you haven ’ t realized what pure adrenaline infused audience participation really feels like . There ’ s no prejudice in the pit … male , female , black , white , everyone is welcome to show their acceptance of each other by bumping bodies . Much safer than crowd surfing for a gal … you don ’ t ever get felt up when you ’ re moshing-just pushed around a little . It kind of feels like gravity works differently in the pit … as hard as people get slammed , they rarely fall down , people fall sideways … into someone else , who saves you from falling down , and pushes you back … and you are an ecstatic pinball of thrashing pleasure ! Oh , I said no one falls down-I meant unless it ’ s into the performing band ’ s amps …. that always happens . Every show . Every time . Every band . Since the 80 ’ s . I ’ m not kidding . Ask anyone .
There were four bands on the bill for the day – Anticitizen , Sick 86 ’ d , Mike makes Right , and The Parasitix .
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