Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSyracuse hardcore music scene stresses straight-edge ideals, vegan lifestyle
By Christine Show
Posted: 4/5/04, 1:21 AM EST Section: Feature
"There was a backlash to their message," he said.
Despite the negative response, Earth Crisis brought politics and rock 'n' roll together by using its artistic license to discuss the animal rights cause, Spielman said.
"Earth Crisis embraced straight edge and animal rights, which formed a whole vegan straight-edge movement," Spielman said.
Earth Crisis inspired other hardcore bands to express their feelings on specific causes. Bands often use political aspects in their music to discuss issues like the current government administration and anti-war protests, Monday said.
"Hardcore is more about expressing yourself," Monday said.
A typical hardcore show in a lesser known venue will usually include a small crowd of people and be open to all age groups, Spielman said.
Although most hardcore shows are male-oriented, more women are becoming involved in this genre. Megan Keeler, a resident of Syracuse and a promoter of hardcore shows, says she has noticed an increase in the amount of women involved in hardcore.
Although women have had to earn respect among the people in hardcore, the atmosphere of the scene has encouraged Keeler to stay involved.
"(Hardcore) is like a family," Keeler said. "The energy just sucks you in."
That energy is still alive and vibrant in Syracuse, where bands plan shows several times a week. Admission to these shows can range anywhere from four to seven dollars. First-time listeners can get a preview of the hardcore experience on the Internet.
Syracuse hardcore Web sites, such as syracusepunk.com and finalxword.com, provide information on upcoming shows and news events on current bands.
"It is way more accessible than it used to be," Spielman said.
"I kept digging deeper and deeper and found out hardcore is going on in India and in Japan," Monday said. "It's a global thing."
But the best way to get exposed to the hardcore scene, Monday said, is to attend a show.
Syracuse's hardcore scene thrives today, and the city will always be a piece of hardcore history.
"History never happens in your own hometown; it's always happening somewhere else," Spielman said. "A huge hardcore scene, though, started in a small city in Central New York called Syracuse."
Despite the negative response, Earth Crisis brought politics and rock 'n' roll together by using its artistic license to discuss the animal rights cause, Spielman said.
"Earth Crisis embraced straight edge and animal rights, which formed a whole vegan straight-edge movement," Spielman said.
Earth Crisis inspired other hardcore bands to express their feelings on specific causes. Bands often use political aspects in their music to discuss issues like the current government administration and anti-war protests, Monday said.
"Hardcore is more about expressing yourself," Monday said.
A typical hardcore show in a lesser known venue will usually include a small crowd of people and be open to all age groups, Spielman said.
Although most hardcore shows are male-oriented, more women are becoming involved in this genre. Megan Keeler, a resident of Syracuse and a promoter of hardcore shows, says she has noticed an increase in the amount of women involved in hardcore.
Although women have had to earn respect among the people in hardcore, the atmosphere of the scene has encouraged Keeler to stay involved.
"(Hardcore) is like a family," Keeler said. "The energy just sucks you in."
That energy is still alive and vibrant in Syracuse, where bands plan shows several times a week. Admission to these shows can range anywhere from four to seven dollars. First-time listeners can get a preview of the hardcore experience on the Internet.
Syracuse hardcore Web sites, such as syracusepunk.com and finalxword.com, provide information on upcoming shows and news events on current bands.
"It is way more accessible than it used to be," Spielman said.
"I kept digging deeper and deeper and found out hardcore is going on in India and in Japan," Monday said. "It's a global thing."
But the best way to get exposed to the hardcore scene, Monday said, is to attend a show.
Syracuse's hardcore scene thrives today, and the city will always be a piece of hardcore history.
"History never happens in your own hometown; it's always happening somewhere else," Spielman said. "A huge hardcore scene, though, started in a small city in Central New York called Syracuse."
