I love Flagstaff’s underground music scene, but there are striking divisions that aren’t very logical. Nobody really talks about this, but I think it is time we start.

I go to all kinds of shows in basements, living rooms, kitchens, and many other hole-in-the-wall places that, in my opinion, successfully combat the fact that in this town, there are little options for all-age venues. I know Tacos Locos is also shaping up to be a great alternative. Though, admittingly, I haven’t been to a show in a few months, I love going to them. I see people there from 14-years-old to 35 and older. You don’t grow out of punk, as they say, you just move to the back. Punk at these shows is always varied slightly – from conventional punk like Killer Dreamer to psychedelic punk like Triclops, folk punk like Andrew Jackson Jihad, and even the hip hop stylings of Hawnay Troof. I always have a good time at these shows. At these shows the PBR flows like rain mixed with sweat.

Periodically, I went to shows at the 321 house or that other house up the hill and the crowds were always strikingly different (I say “went” because I haven’t been in a while and I don’t even know if they still have shows). This is the house whose label preaches “music for social change.” This is a passionate bunch who write songs about racism/sexism/homophobia/ and any other social ill you can think of. Despite their celebration of individuality, however, there are a lot of conventions that, after a while got a little annoying to me. Black. Always where black. Fliers, patches, and t-shirts are always black with white writing, usually the writing is illegible. Black metal, thrash, crust music and little else. Aside from that stuff, I have to say that when I went to those shows, people were always very nice to me. I found it much easier to talk and relate to the people that go to these shows because they are usually very socially conscious and those conversations are simply more interesting than talking about why Tacate tastes better than PBR. One time I went to a Body Parts show there and someone in the crowd was being disrespectful to a woman. The whole crowd immediately kicked him out of the house. I thought that was really cool. Then I got to thinking, if their goal is social change, maybe that wasn’t the best tactic. Anyway…another big difference is that most of these shows do not allow alcohol (this is mostly a precaution so when the cops come, nobody runs and/or gets arrested).

On Friday night, I went to a fundraiser for Táala Hooghan Infoshop. It was an all-ages show with a few bands from out-of-town, and of course Blackfire. There were tables set up, Food Not Bombs, free zines, other stuff, and short films from Outta Your Backpack Media. Present were people of all races, ages….families, hipsters, hippies, moms, dads, kids, punks….I even bought a book that is amazing so far. It’s called Columbus and Other Cannibals.

From all the shows I go to, I was surprised that I recognized only TWO people at this fundraiser. Granted, everyone and their mom have seen Blackfire by now, but there were two other bands, one from Tuba and another all the way from NYC. And this was a fundraiser for the Infoshop for christ’s sake. My girlfriend looked at me and asked, “Where are all your punk friends? I thought punks care about important stuff?” Well, some…

I tried to explain that the music scene is divided. Some people get together because they want to rock out and drink beer. Some get together for a purpose, social change. Even if their approach can be misguided at times, they’re looking for more than a new 7-inch and a hangover. Granted, I love drinking and rocking as much as the next guy, but divisions like this are detrimental to a city as small as ours. I understand much of the divisions stem from some scattered incidences and confrontations. I remember a while back there was a lot of controversy about cocaine in the punk scene. And if you care about social change, coke is obviously very problematic. Plus, it reeks of class privileges and it’s just gross.

There are a few people, and I mean a small group of people that can float freely between the two underground scenes, but many people are trapped on either side. Many of these divisions were forged by people who don’t even live here anymore. It’s time people got over themselves and came together. Stop with the knee jerk reactions to people that might be new to complicated ideas. Everybody grows at their own pace, but everybody grows. This town is too small for that kind of drama.

And if you care about anything remotely important, and we all do, support the infoshop. If they can’t pay their rent, they’ll be gone and the community will lose a very valuable resource.