August 9, 2007
Preview: Different Kind of Dude Fest
It’s almost impossible to discuss the state of punk and hardcore music in this town without someone making a grand pronouncement like “the D.C. scene is dead”. Ask any of the old timers and they’ll tell you that the kids in Washington just don’t care about punk rock anymore. It’s not hard to understand where these folks are coming from; given the vital role that our city played in the evolution of hardcore music, it’s surprising that relatively few bands in the District carry the torch to this day. However, declaring the scene “dead” is a tad hyperbolic — a punk community does still exist in D.C., it’s just a little harder to find nowadays.
But don’t take our word for it. Head on down to this weekend’s Different Kind of Dude Fest in Mount Pleasant and see for yourself. A two-day festival consisting of live music and workshops, DKDF’s stated aim is “to present an alternative to the self-indulgent dudedom of the average fest,” by promoting an open dialog on gender in the punk community. A quick glance at the schedule reveals that this year’s lineup is both absolutely killer and surprisingly local. Representing the District are post-hardcore weirdos Mass Movement of the Moth, progressive punks Des Ark and Aghast, whose sound is probably the closest you’re going to get to the D.C. hardcore of yore. Rounding out the roster are a number of acts from Maryland and Virginia, as well as a few larger touring bands: DIY evangelists Ampere, French screamo act Daitro and experimental hardcore technicians Circle Takes the Square.
In addition to the music, there’s also a whole afternoon of workshops on Saturday, with discussions addressing a wide range of topics including sexual violence, gender identity in subculture and reproductive health. And if none of those appeal to you, there’s always the “Puppet show on consent and sexual relationships”. If that isn't punk, we don't know what is.
Bands at St. Stephens Church
16th and Newton NW
Doors at 6pm Friday 8/10 and Saturday 8/11, $7/night or $12 for both nights
Workshops at the Dance Institute of Washington
14th and Monroe NW
Workshops at Emergence Community Arts Collective
733 Euclid St NW
From 12-5:30pm Saturday, Free (participants also get a dollar off of admission to the shows)
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Isn't Des Ark from Durham, NC??
on the DKDF site, they're listed as being from NC/DC...
I'm very interested in this, and the scene isn't dead, it's just harder to find listings for stuff in one centralized location.
a GREAT site to keep track of this stuff is through the PHEER website which lists a variety of shows from everywhere in the area (norfolk, richmond, dc area, bmore).
If there's a better centralized website I'd LOVE to know about it.
I swear every time I watch a show around here I'm praying somebody will just play the opening riffs from Small Man, Big Mouth just as a tribute. Alas, it has never happened. Not from punk visitors, not from pop visitors, not from folk visitors, not from anyone.
Someday. Someday you will see an old man in a club with a smile on his face.
PHEER isn't all that helpful anymore. As for DKDF, I think it's a great idea other than Mass Movement of the Moth. Thank goodness they'll be done. And props for the great Baby Killer Estelle description for tonight's Fort Reno show.
JP2 - I think the Explosion played a few minor threat songs (including that one) last spring at black cat. also, gov't warning covered either filler or i don't want to hear it (can't remember which) at warehouse's parking lot show last month
Out of all the bands playing how could you not list Brainworms. Maybe the best hardcore band out there right now!
It seems kinda par for the course for bands to cover MT when they come through here. Nobody tries to touch Bad Brains though.
yeah - there's a punk show at the black cat tonight. doesn't happen often, just sayin...
People clamoring for the same type of scene we once had won't get it. The "scene" (skene) isn't dead, but it's nothing like it was.
In the heyday of hardcore, you had some rather amazing and prolific bands that were prominent and produced, well, GOOD music. Amidst them were a large group of similar, though mediocre bands.
These days, it seems like we've only kept the mediocre bands coming, just in larger numbers. What am I, as an aging punk, going to do with a 2-day festival? I can't imagine spending that much time sitting around hoping for a band I'll eventually like doing nothing otherwise but commenting on how stupid the kids in the audience look and then remember I looked as stupid once.
Fellow fogeypunks, let's remember the good ol' days, but not try to recreate them! It'll just taint the memories.
Fellow fogeypunks, let's remember the good ol' days, but not try to recreate them! It'll just taint the memories.
fie on that. there's a lot more to punk music and "scene" than trying to emulate what kids were doing from 20 years ago.
Not even Ian MacKaye is doing that anymore and he was there, so why should we expect people to emulate 100% a sound that isn't really relevant anymore.
Check out Double Dagger the next time they play in the area (they're from Bmore so it should be soon) to catch the energy and intelligence but not a copy cat of the same sounds (there is not even a guitarist).
complaining about how things aren't like they were really just makes the complainer seem out of touch and resistant to change.
i remember a specifically dc band, that cover small man big mouth at a bunch of shows. bail out.
see you can go to see this music, or you can go to an actual hardcore show.. you just have more choices today i guess.
(DCist admin please note--)
DKDF ANNOUNCEMENT:
WORKSHOPS SWITCH TO NEW VENUE
The Dance Institute screwed up the space reservation, so we are moving the Saturday workshops to Emergence Community Arts Collective at 733 Euclid St NW (corner of Georgia Ave NW, closest to Columbia Heights Metro).
The workshop times are the same:
12-1pm Giving Voice to the Margins
1:15-2:45pm Alternative Community Response to Sexual Violence
3-4:30pm Cum As You Are: masculinity, male bodies and positive sexual relationships
3-4:30pm Challenging Gender Oppression through Anti-Sexist Men’s Groups
4:45-6:00pm Consent: Communication & Sex
Just updated the entry. Thanks for the tip!
just wanted to say that this looks really great, especially in terms of the workshops - i really wish i didn't already have plans this weekend! i mean, a consent puppet show?? that's freaking awesome.
anyway, there's no feedback/contact info on the fest site, so i just wanted to say that even though i can't make it, i'm glad it's happening.
YESSS!!! I'm so glad DC hardcore is dying and indie music is taking over!!! Now we can all sing in psuedo falsetto and create problems for ourselves to sing about because we're not creative enough to come up with original subjects for songs!! Indie rock 4ever!!