Punk Rock in the South

It may be underground...but it's not dead and buried

Take a look at the Club 513 scene.

Some think punk rock down South is dead. But if you do a little digging, you'll find that punk is indeed alive and well...thriving actually...and that it certainly hasn't been buried yet.

Continuing to breathe life into the genre are, of course, kids. Mostly suburban youth, looking for something all their own, a channel for their rebellion, and seeking somewhere to find their individuality. It's these same kids who, through completely underground channels, make it clear they don't need either the mainstream or an approval from society, no more than Sid and Nancy or Kurt and Courtney did.

Admit it, you were a punk once. So was I. And the scene didn't wither and disappear just because we grew up and moved on. Have you thought about the punk scene in your town, even years after your own punk spiked hair were over? Well, I thought about it and I started looking to see what happened!

I didn't have to look far. Near downtown Atlanta at 513 Edgewood Avenue (in the Martin Luther Kind Historic District no less) there is an all-ages venue called Club 513. The brightly striped box of a building is adorned inside by only the bare minimum of a bar, two restrooms, a stage and a few scattered tables and chairs, with plenty of floor space for standing and moshing.

This earnest enterprise has become THE all-ages venue and dominant punk club in the city. Talent buyer, Jeff Oursler, better known to most as "Toe," helped provide insight on the punks, the bands and what's been going on in the scene since we first generation punks have been away.

"I've been into punk since I was a kid - bands like the Sex Pistols, Ramones, Generation X and of course Iggy (Pop), what was the grandfather of punk," Toe reminisces. "Club 513 is a labor of love. I book all types of bands, but primarily we do punk and ska shows."

The club has done well. In the past two years, it hosted top punk indie touring bands including Link 80, the Aquabats, the Hippos, Good Riddance, AFT, U.S. Bombs, The Casualties, Blank Experience, Tilt, Big Wig, Terminus City, the Bloody Sods. But, with little advertising, if any, how do the kids find out about these bands...especially those from out of town.

"Mostly word of mouth." says Toe. "College radio is a big player, and the zines have evolved into internet sites, which are now sources for everything punk." The Club 51 web site is a great resource in and of itself, with links to all the major punk sites.

The commercial success of a handful of indie bands in the 90s certainly helped raise the profile of punk and kept its pulse throbbing. Acts such as Rancid, NOFX, Blink 182, the Offspring, Green Day, Operation Ivy, and, last but certainly not least, the Misfits. Many of the punk bands who hit the big time will give something back to the genre, often by starting their own labels and signing up and coming bands.

Fat Mike from NOFX, for instance, founded the indie labels Fat Wreck Chords and Honest Don't. Affiliation with such an indie label is key to the success of many new, unknown bands embarking on their first tours.

"If kids are familiar with a label, they'll go check out a fledgling band sight unseen." Toe explains. "They are very label-loyal, and most punk labels carry the same type of bands."

Atlanta-based, Mark Noah has done the same with his own indie label, GMM (Gimme My Money) Records, which focuses its roster on "Oi" and "Street Punk" bands. Nitro Records, which was started by the Offspring's lead vocalist, now boasts top hardcore acts. Other notable labels are Fearless and Hopeless (pop punk), Epitaph and HellCat (all types of punk), Victory (hardcore and straight-edge), Asianman (ska core) and Moon (ska).

With the plethora of bands and labels, there is definitely no lack of raw talent out there. But Toe makes a strong point that his club will not book, under any circumstances, bands that are racist or homophobic, or who play death/satanic metal. "I want to make that very clear." he asserts. "The whole Club 513 environment is positive...for the bands, the fans and the staff. We will not support anything negative in any way, shape or form."

So, how can a punk club be a positive environment? And what about violence in the pit?

"The mosh is not intentionally violent or a means for kids to hurt each other, even though it can get rough at times." explains Toe. "It's their way of dancing, self-expression, a sport almost, and an outlet. If somebody goes down, there's going to be somebody there to pick that person up again. If somebody stage dives, they're going to get caught. This shows off the camaraderie of the whole punk scene. That's something that is often misunderstood."

When you become familiar with today's punks, you become more optimistic about the positive scenario Toe describes.

Let's shed some light on the scene with a review of current punk terminology.

First, consider the often misunderstood Skins.

Contrary to negative press...some high profile bad seeds who have jumped on the Skin bandwagon...Skins are primarily working class stiffs who play loud and fast punk music. That's it. While they may have political views supported by aggressive music, 9 times out of 10, their "thing" has nothing to do whatsoever with racist views.

Atlanta's own Anti-Heros have taken that issue to court, with a lawsuit against unauthorized use of their logo by a racist skinhead character in the movie American History X. To further combat the stereotype, some Skins have formed a spin-off movement and adopted the label SHARPS...Skinheads Against Racial Prejudices.

Oi, Hardcore and Street Punks are kids who prefer old school styles. These are usually older kids who are into more aggressive music and faster tempos.

The Drunk Punks primarily enjoy drinking and they listen to bands whose songs are about partying, having fun and, what else, drinking

Gutter Punks and Squatters are a hybrid of punks and hippies. They pride themselves in smelling from not bathing and most are homeless or runaways for whom panhandling is the daily norm. They are content with their lifestyle and even use punk music as a means of glorifying it.

Pop Punks and Pogo Punks are into songs about relationships and love, among other light-hearted topics. Theirs is a more commercial side of this music, with less frantic tempos, and with lyrics about fun! These kids especially love to dance.

Straight-edge Punks have a political bent and are interested in making good choices. Possible world leaders of tomorrow, they are drug-free, don't smoke or drink, they just say no to premarital sex, they don't eat meat, they don't wear fur or leather, and they are concerned with what's happening to their world. Most of them are under 21.

You also find Straight-edge Skins and Hardcores. There's even a Christian Punk movement which is also Straight-edge.

Those are the main categories. But there are other permutations. Porno Punk (as in G.G. Allin, the Mentors, and the Impotent Sea Snakes) features bands which play adult-oriented songs and often stage X-rated shows.

Poser Punk mimics '80s Poser bands, similar to Glam Rock in look.

Political Punk is exclusively political in nature.

Riot Kids play songs about fighting and gang mentality.

Riot Grrls feature songs about feminism and women's rights.

Queer Core bands showcase gay rights.

Crust is a type of "noise music" that's barely decipherable.

Ska Punk and Ska Core is Ska/Reggae music mutated into Punk and Hardcore.

It's important to know that the haircuts do not define the type of punk or the type of music. But hair, or lack thereof, is still a major part of the Punk Movement. Kids with a creative flair, or who are just plain bored, don some of the following dos...Mohawk, Pony Hawk, Liberty Spikes or the Chelsea (shaved head with a long bang/forelock, preferably dyed ostentatiously).

Hair coloring is a must, regardless of style with most punks favoring black, neon green or hot pink, orange, yellow or bright blue. Also piercings and tattoos, and even branding are popular.

Expressing themselves and being different is what it's all about, but if everybody has a similar look, is anybody really different? Well, at least these punks are different from the rest of us, even if they're making statements made long before their time. After all, it's their turn now.

Another thing which hasn't changed is the punk scene's open access and acceptance of outcasts and misfits. "These kids are looking for somewhere to fit in, somewhere to belong." says Toe. "Geeks and nerds that didn't fit in will find a particular band or movement that accepts them. The majority are good kids who are just trying to find their identities. Club 513 gives them a sense of belonging. We're like the punk rock version of Cheers here," Toe laughs, "where everybody knows your name!"

Since the club is all-ages, it's not uncommon to see parents scattered about at shows. Toe stated that every weekend, because the environment is supportive and friendly, he has some parents come up and thank him for having a venue like 513. "Once they see how it is and what it is, they're almost relieved in a way. It's a big learning curve for them. But whether it's a punk show or a sporting event, it's good to see parents who are interested in what their kids are into.

If parental support weren't testament enough, the club's own well-received compilation CDs are further proof that it's doing something right. Punk Atlanta was released in the Summer of 1998 and has sold out its initial pressing. The recent follow-up Atlanta's Punk-n-Skins is available only in limited quantities, with a third compilation currently in the works.

Toe says the CDs (each containing cuts from 25 different artists) are an avenue to promote locals who probably wouldn't be given much notice on their own. Area notables on the discs include the Bloody Sods, Terminus City, APA, Blood on the Ice, Snapper, Pain, Nuclear Saturday, Lentil Week, The Spectremen, The Breakaways and Skatomatic Weapon, who got a spot in the "Top 5 Most Requested" on Atlanta radio station with their anthem, "I'm an Alcoholic." (No, they're not Drunk Punks. They are a Ska band making fun of drunks!)

99x Local's Only program and influential DJ, Steve Craig, have been supporters of these compilations and other regional college and independent radio stations continue to devote programming slots to punk. Additional helpers on the retail side in the Atlanta area include Crash and Burn, Ambush, The Junkman's Daughter, Criminal Records, Wax n Facts and Wuxtry Records. Punk friendly venues include The Echo Lounge, The Masquerade, Dottie's and The Battery (set to open in early 2000).

But the premiere venue remains Club 513. Although it would be easy to call Toe "Atlanta's Poster Boy for Punk Rock," he won't take the credit alone. He attributes his achievements and 513's staying power to bookers who have gotten him bands that helped build the club's following...people like Stormy at Leave Home, Jeff at Digger International, Steve Ozark, Margie at Do-It Booking, Mary Katherine, Mike Kelley and Rick B. at Tahoe Agent, Chet Knight at GMM and John Finburg and L Sermon.

But it's not the industry people who are the biggest asset. It's Jill Martin. Jill has worked along-side Toe for several years and together, with a loyal group of friends, allies and supporters (including Toe's brother Jerry), they have helped to make a punk's dream come true.

I guess that's what happens when punks grow up. They don't fade away. They start a punk club or run a record label. An Jeff "Toe" Oursler, now grown up and still around, is helping keep the scene alive here in the Southeast by doing both!

by Teresa Anderson

photos Lee Smith

This article was from Southeast Performer Magazine