At the very heart of the punk movement, since its earliest whispers over fifty years ago, is the all ages show. At any given point in any given year, the most excited, motivated and passionate members of the community are the kids who are totally absorbed by punk and punk ethos, always looking forward to the next show, the next tape release, the next reason to get out of bed.
The all ages scene in St. John's is alive and kicking, punching and screaming, with the most populated gigs consistently being held at alternative venue locations like a bowling alley, a church basement and, in the case of Lawnya Vawnya's Saturday all ages show, a garage on the edge of St. John's Harbour on the sunniest day the city has seen in weeks.
Although certainly catered to youth in revolt, the Baird Building garage show was attended by young and old alike, from the newly minted scenesters to the oldest heads around, some with toddlers of their own in tow. The brutal, industrial location was filled wall to wall by eager showgoers, with more than a few spilling out onto the street to catch some of those sweet sun rays before the hesitant yellow orb was inevitably obscured once again by the persistent June fog.
Mummers were the newest band on the bill, playing new punk with a classic sound about cruising down the highway and staying up late to watch sports. Their fast rock 'n roll approach was the perfect opener to the afternoon before the rest of the acts moshed the place right to the rafters.
The pit was officially opened for Here & Now and Doberman, who in equal parts rocked the place with their own similar but personalized takes on pissed off, ripping hardcore. Side to sides, slamdancing and the occasional dogpile could be found amongst the riffage. Two audience members took to the microphones for Here & Now's rendition of "Let It Ride" by Floorpunch in an animated display of lifelong dedication to hardcore music.
Ontario act and show headliner Indian Giver played brutal, metallic hardcore about Indigenous reclamation through reconciliation. Both the singer and samples between songs touched on issues like decolonization and genocide, with every impassioned speech receiving resounding applause by the audience before launching into another onslaught of hardcore rage.
Local favorites Carnage closed out the show with the same grinding rage and energy they bring to every show, while the audience gave it right back as usual. I love Carnage and I hope they play forever.