Hey world. So, I don’t normally write columns, but I’ve been feeling strongly about this for a while. I’ve been vegan for almost 19 years and while some of it has to do with discovering P.E., this rant isn’t based around that. After getting P.E. #64 in the mail and reading Dan’s opening bit, I was re-inspired. Dawn(my wife) and I lived in different cities for a while, but now live out in the woods. We don’t get a good show this way often and there’s no scene. Years ago we saw Atakke(Sam is from this area), but missed Kylesa. Last October I talked a local promoter into getting Phobia to play a local DIY space. It was great.
While I do miss shows, punk is about much more. Screaming for change is one thing, but working on it is better. Am I preaching? You decide. I’m not going to say go vegan(just do it already), but there are so many reasons to do it. Also, buy and eat whole foods. Avoid packaging. Every packaged food has a long history and a carbon footprint. Just buy locally grown foods and grow your own if you can. Little things like turning things(lights, t.v.s, amps, etc.) off when not in use helps. Ride a bike or walk when you can. Don’t buy things you don’t need and buy local when possible. Reuse everything. Canning jars are great for canning, then storage and then drinking coffee, tea juice. That plastic bag you get produce in? Wash it and use it again.
We’re punks for a reason. We just don’t fit in. Let’s make the “norms” realize we’re good folks and that we have good qualities and aren’t just eye candy. Bring your own shopping bag and reuse everything to death. Also, sew your favorite label or band logo on it and hand out the most recent issue of P.E. to a curious passerby.
First I wanted to be clear that this review is for the 2nd edition(the first edition is pictured here), but for some reason a good quality photo was hard to find. The second edition includes 20+ more pages of new material. Whether or not you ever hung out in train years or hopped a train, this is a very entertaining read that due, to the zine format, never drags out. There’s also a ton of photos of hobos, bums and tramps(and little guides to tell the difference) and the graffiti on trains done by them and rail yard employees. A constant theme throughout is the real identity of the freightcar graffiti artist who came up with the Bozo Texino tag. Lots of speculation in interviews and letters written by current and past rail yard employees and clips from old train industry magazines. It’s a fun read that you don’t really have to do in any particular order for it to be informative and interesting. Perfect backpack book. (Jake)
While I was gathering paper and cardboard for a bonfire recently, I dumped the packing material out of the box from the last batch of review goodies I was sent quite a while ago and this cassette fell out. While the fire was great, I felt like a total jerk for missing this. By the looks of the cassette and logo I would have expected this to be heavy crust, but I was pleasantly surprised. While I am a big fan of that style, this was a nice surprise. This cassette has seven songs of blazing hardcore that I could swear came straight from the mid 90s even though they’ve only been around for a little over a year. The drums beat furiously pushing the wall of rage created by the guitars and bass. Adding to the mayhem are deep sociopolitical lyrics that are so well written and inspiring. I have to admit that the second time through these songs I was so moved I had to pull out my guitar and shred. By the time the time you read this, there’s a possibility that MASSEXIT will be close to putting out another fine release. I can’t wait! Even though the recording was pretty rough, this is one of the best releases I’ve heard in a very long time(and comes with a sticker). Honest and very well done. (Jake) 
Back in December, Harvest King Records released one hell of a compilation containing a nice assortment of bands over 20 tracks. Aside from ROYAL RED BRIGADE, KLEINS96, TOMORROW STARTS TODAY and THE JUMP OFF(who all have two), each band has one track to showcase their goods. Something to look forward to is the diversity in sound that everybody brings to the table unlike some comps that give a handful of bands all banging out tunes that, in reality, could all be the same band. The range on this disc hit punk rock, hardcore, indie, country/folk and more. Even better…you can listen to it for free! That’s right, free. So, go to Harvest King’s bandcamp site and check it out. Then, after realizing you like all the bands, order all the albums! (Jake)