Fight Riffs and Grass Roots
- Darian Serrano
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
FEATURE | ISSUE FIVE | PUORO O AOTEAROA / LOCAL MUSIC
Written by Darian Serrano (he/him) | @gumvoid | Contributor Photos by y Sandy Hughes | @spacecadetsandy
Hardcore music is a heavier subgenre of punk that also has influences from metal and hip-hop. It emphasises heavy breakdowns, screaming vocals, and faster tempos, while discussing a variety of topics, from the personal to current geopolitical issues. The genre is also known for its violently high-energy shows and unique, limb-flailing style of moshing. If you are active on the internet, you have more than likely seen videos of people doing spin kicks, windmilling their arms, and, my personal favourite, two steps. This combination of music and dancing culminates in a cathartic and sometimes painful release of emotion that I believe only this style of music allows. Prominent contemporary bands would include: Knocked Loose, Turnstile, Kublai Khan TX, and Drain.
I was invited to a gig titled FUNCRUSHERS Vol. 1, where I was introduced to two of the bands on the card, Run It Straight and Money Sock. They told me about their next show and about their collective, BornReady. BornReady was founded by Run It Straight, Heavy Step, and Money Sock, alongside photographer/designer Sandy Hughes.
BornReady is a community-led collective focused on providing safe, supportive spaces for young people to connect within the arts, while being empowered through performance and participation in counter-culture. They host a monthly show that coincides with the release of a publication under the FUNCRUSHERS title, with the zine open to any artist or writer. After attending multiple shows, my passion for hardcore was reignited. The level of professionalism and dedication from this organisation is unlike anything I have witnessed in a DIY scene. It is clear that each member loves what they do, and the push for all-ages shows proves they are committed to passing the torch to the next generation. JackTea, vocalist of Money Sock and bassist of Heavy Step, explains what hardcore music and the scene mean to him.
What was your first experience with Hardcore and the scene in Aotearoa?
“I first experienced hardcore in Waitākere, West Auckland, in about 2010. A youth centre out there called Zeal, would host fortnightly shows in this tiny space they called the Art Room. The scene was truly popping at that time, and there were tons of local bands filling the lineups. Even a couple of big internationals turned out to play in the space; Trapped Under Ice being one. The room’s capacity was probably 70 tops, but some nights there would be hundreds of people in there.”
What or who inspired you to start a band?
“I have always loved making music, particularly when I get to do it with my friends. In this sense, playing in a hardcore band kinda just came to me. My friends Andy, Jay and Bodi, from my band Heavy Step, turned up to my flat to have a chat about the band and got me on board. In a broader sense, my motivation to play in hardcore bands is really just the pull of the scene, the amount of shows, the passion and energy at each, and the way the scene shows out for each other. Everyone is so supportive, and the only entry criteria is that you are there doing it.”
What is it about Hardcore that you enjoy so much?
“I guess I kinda captured this earlier on, but there is just no other community I have been a part of where you are accepted for who, what, or however you are. It's a place where shared values transcend shared backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. The scene is a place where everyone can live in a moment together, and that's a bloody lovely place to be.”
What makes the Hardcore scene so different to other music scenes in Aotearoa?
“Hardcore culture sits at the polar opposite of the spectrum to tall poppy syndrome. It is grounded in the celebration of the people around you. I feel that what this creates is a thriving music scene where venues are often packed with dedicated fans. The green rooms at hardcore shows often sit empty as other bands always turn up to support the acts they are sharing the bill with.
“A notable difference in hardcore to other music scenes I have experienced is the focus on all-ages shows and the creation of safe spaces for young people to be exposed to the music and to share their own talent. I feel like this comes from a silent acknowledgement within the scene that, albeit small and niche, what we have is special, and it needs to be shared and passed on to the next generation, in the same ways that it was passed on to us.”
How has the scene evolved in the past 10 years?
“Right now, it feels like the scene is in a real renaissance after a bit of a lull in the late 2010s and then obviously COVID19. I reckon being cooped up inside made everyone realise how much they missed hardcore spaces. It even brought a lot of old heads ( myself included) out of hibernation. Over the last few years, the growth has been crazy, new bands popping up, and old ones coming back; right now, the scene is the most fun I have ever experienced.
“Like everything, the internet and technology have massively changed hardcore. The community has always been focused on DIY creation and using any tool at your disposal. It’s so cool to see how this increased accessibility to technology has allowed so many new photographers, filmmakers, creators, and artists to thrive.”
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