It's been two years since my Aunt Laura passed away. Last year I commemorated her death by sharing with you some of the things I learned from my aunt. This year I have decided to show how I have put her lessons to use, mainly one lesson... you can't judge a book by it's cover.
Having a sister that is the lead singer of a punk band and on Joan Jett's label has afforded me multiple opportunities to meet many different types of punky/musical people. Some of these people go by expected names like Jason, Julia, Sean, Dave, etc. Others go by not so expected names, like Beef and Fuzzy. I think that some people, upon meeting a girl named Fuzzy who may have multi-colored hair (perhaps buzz cut, perhaps not), and wears combat boots would think twice about starting up a conversation. Shame on them. Fuzzy (who happens to be my sister's merch (merchandise - t-shirts, CD's etc) girl) is one of the nicest and most interesting people I have ever met. She loves M&M's, is passionate about bands and music and is actually a pretty quiet girl. She and I may not look alike, but how fun would the world be if we did?
Simmi from Suffrajett - the lead singer and one of the nicest girls ever.
People that come to/work/perform in the shows that my sister performs at may seem frightening at first. There are lots of tattoos, lots of mohawks, spikes, earrings, and black hoodies, and I obviously don't fit in appearance wise. One of my mother's favorite stories centers around one of the first times she dropped me off at Warped Tour to travel with my sister. There in the sea of black was me, two french braids in my hair, a black tank-top (my attempt at blending) and a green skirt with my suitcase and blue gingham pillow. As my sister (in appropriate black skinny jeans, converse, and a black t-shirt) walked up I could see her giggle a bit, I can only imagine how I looked... I stuck out like a sore thumb. However, not one person I encountered on that tour treated me with anything but the utmost kindness, and this is what I have found across the country.
It's not easy being green! :-)
Punk/alternative people have taught me, without fail, that you cannot judge a book by it's cover. I have encountered mohawked boys that weren't very talkative which lead me to misinterpret as them not liking me, only to find that they are shy at first, but the most kind person you would ever meet. I sincerely believe that punk people get the worst wrap by mainstream society, most of them would do anything to help, I have seen them open their mechanic shops at midnight to help us get the van fixed in order to not have to cancel the next nights show.
Two of the sweetest punk rock boys I know.
It is impossible to be at a punk show and not be able (as a girl) to find a nice big burly guy to stand in front of you and protect you from the moshing crowds. It's like there is this unspoken punk rule that you don't trample a girl that doesn't want to be trampled (and I thank them profusely for this unspoken rule).
I would also like to argue that punk/alternative people are the sweetest love song writers in the world. (I keep saying punk/alternative, because I honestly don't always know where the bands I like live on that spectrum.) One of my current favorite bands Ludo, has a song that I find to be the sweetest love song I have heard in a while. I strongly recommend you check out "Anything for you," the sweetest song ever.
So there it is, not incredibly eloquent, but my attempt to explain my love of the punk/alternative crowd. The sweetest, kindest, loveliest, most beautiful group of people I have met recently. Thank you Aunt Laura for always reminding me to look past the cover and see the story inside.
Having a sister that is the lead singer of a punk band and on Joan Jett's label has afforded me multiple opportunities to meet many different types of punky/musical people. Some of these people go by expected names like Jason, Julia, Sean, Dave, etc. Others go by not so expected names, like Beef and Fuzzy. I think that some people, upon meeting a girl named Fuzzy who may have multi-colored hair (perhaps buzz cut, perhaps not), and wears combat boots would think twice about starting up a conversation. Shame on them. Fuzzy (who happens to be my sister's merch (merchandise - t-shirts, CD's etc) girl) is one of the nicest and most interesting people I have ever met. She loves M&M's, is passionate about bands and music and is actually a pretty quiet girl. She and I may not look alike, but how fun would the world be if we did?
Simmi from Suffrajett - the lead singer and one of the nicest girls ever.People that come to/work/perform in the shows that my sister performs at may seem frightening at first. There are lots of tattoos, lots of mohawks, spikes, earrings, and black hoodies, and I obviously don't fit in appearance wise. One of my mother's favorite stories centers around one of the first times she dropped me off at Warped Tour to travel with my sister. There in the sea of black was me, two french braids in my hair, a black tank-top (my attempt at blending) and a green skirt with my suitcase and blue gingham pillow. As my sister (in appropriate black skinny jeans, converse, and a black t-shirt) walked up I could see her giggle a bit, I can only imagine how I looked... I stuck out like a sore thumb. However, not one person I encountered on that tour treated me with anything but the utmost kindness, and this is what I have found across the country.
It's not easy being green! :-)Punk/alternative people have taught me, without fail, that you cannot judge a book by it's cover. I have encountered mohawked boys that weren't very talkative which lead me to misinterpret as them not liking me, only to find that they are shy at first, but the most kind person you would ever meet. I sincerely believe that punk people get the worst wrap by mainstream society, most of them would do anything to help, I have seen them open their mechanic shops at midnight to help us get the van fixed in order to not have to cancel the next nights show.
Two of the sweetest punk rock boys I know.It is impossible to be at a punk show and not be able (as a girl) to find a nice big burly guy to stand in front of you and protect you from the moshing crowds. It's like there is this unspoken punk rule that you don't trample a girl that doesn't want to be trampled (and I thank them profusely for this unspoken rule).
I would also like to argue that punk/alternative people are the sweetest love song writers in the world. (I keep saying punk/alternative, because I honestly don't always know where the bands I like live on that spectrum.) One of my current favorite bands Ludo, has a song that I find to be the sweetest love song I have heard in a while. I strongly recommend you check out "Anything for you," the sweetest song ever.
So there it is, not incredibly eloquent, but my attempt to explain my love of the punk/alternative crowd. The sweetest, kindest, loveliest, most beautiful group of people I have met recently. Thank you Aunt Laura for always reminding me to look past the cover and see the story inside.
This is true about most misunderstood groups! Sometimes we need to be uncomfortable in order to realize it's a crazy world out there and the ride would be less bumpy if we are less judgmental. Thanks Katie
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