Sorry about being late this weekend guys and dolls. Technical difficulties. But I digress; this week I want to take Queer Punks back to it’s very core with a band both straight ahead punk and unabashedly queer.This week-
Jaffa Recommends: Limp Wrist
I recently had the rare fortune of seeing this band live. Rare, as in this band rarely ever plays. Not just California shows (I live near Los Angeles), but shows in general. You see, the members of this very illustrious band live nowhere near each other. They come from San Francisco, Portland, Albany, and Brooklyn on rare occasions to play shows for the angry fags around the world.
The show I caught was, by far, one of the most insane shows I’ve ever been to. The crowd, already packed wall to wall in the warehouse, rushed the stage as soon as the first chords were struck. The pit was less a circle pit and more a human ocean, pushing, moving, and breathing. There were times that I, a big guy myself, couldn’t keep my feet planted on the ground.
There was also a tremendous sense of unity, something I’ve felt missing from the punk scene in general. There were no fights. There was no name calling or shit talking. Lesbians were making out here and there. And when a huge group of punks hopped the back fence to sneak into the show, everyone just cheered them on.
It was one of the most amazing shows I’d ever been to. It’s a shame they don’t play as many shows as some of their counterparts. Then again, I feel some of their energy would be lost like the feeling of warmth in the sunlight. Would things have been the same at that show had they been playing a series of shows in the LA area that week? I don’t know, don’t think I would if it were like that anyway.
With a band so straight forward about their personal beliefs, not only being queer but also being straight edge, and still being exceptionally tongue in cheek (read: tongue in your mouth) it’s a pleasure to have seen them play live, and I hope that you all get that chance.
Watch the video after the jump
Limp Wrist - Live @ The Smell
They’re straight edge? Eh. There’s nothing special about going around telling people about the “bad” stuff you don’t participate in. That’s like when a parent says “I take care of my kids”…yeah bitch, you’re suppose to take care of them. I’ll still try to catch them when ever they’re in town again. Actually, it would be cool if someone kept us up to date on band tour schedules. I would do it, but I’m not exactly well diverse in queercore music.
I think it’s funny that out of all the things I said in the post you narrow down on something I pointed out once, in passing, and harp on that. The problem isn’t so much with people being straight edge anymore as it is with people making a big deal about being straight edge; on both sides of the line. They’re a really good band if you dig old school hardcore.
And there was a guy who did run a tour schedual for queer bands. This guy named Larry-Bob. The site has kind of gone by the way side persumabely with the lack of active queercore bands.
Right, whether or not their a good band is not the question. I haven’t seen them live and I won’t judge a band till I do. I don’t have a problem with individuals being straight edge, that’s fine by me. My problem is with bands that throw it in your face. I just don’t see it’s anything to be so proud of. Furthermore, you’re right, I did narrow it down to the sXe thing out of everything you said. Why? Well, because other than saying “right on, wish I was there” I had nothing else to say. I really do wish I was there though, because I really do dig old school hardcore. Hardcore is pretty bland right now.
Fair enough.