Welcome to the first issue of STRONG NECK MAGAZINE. In this short zine, music genres including death metal, punk, hardcore, thrash, crust, powerviolence, experimental, doom, etc, will be discussed, suggested, and made aware of. This is for metalheads of all realms and aims to highlight all heavy music within the great city of Minneapolis. This first issue is mainly focused on MN’s punk scene, including an article discussing the internationally knownt zine Profane Existence as well as an interview from music enthusiast, photographer and concert curator
Adam DeGross. Following this a map of of the city that underlines some of the citie’s best music shops and venues where you will find great music content. There is a section that highlights albums you might’ve missed, as well as albums that could act as entry level for new listeners. Finally, there is a short calendar (this next month is pretty sparse) that show some of the best shows taking place in March and into April. Hope you enjoy this vissue and look for more content in the future! Aaron
PROFANE EXISTENCE Punks' official voice of Minneapolis
Profane Existence, mostly referred to by those who know of it as P.E., is an anarcho-syndicalist collective, known mostly for the zine it publishes four times a year; and Profane Existence Records, a label that deals mostly with Anarcho-Punk, and Crust Punk. The collective is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Profane Existence began in December 1989, and is part of the North American anarcho-punk movement. In fact, many correctly credit them with being a major force in promoting anarchist punk/hardcore/metal bands, setting up venues and forming labels that print vinyl DIY records.
The magazines deal with many issues relevant to anarchist punk rockers, such as veganism, animals, womens and minority rights, anti-fascist action and the punk rock lifestyle. It also deals with anarchist music in general, offering reviews and interviews with bands in the scene and promoting DIY and anarchist activism worldwide, accepting articles from all around the globe. Profane Existence grew out of a previous publication called Minneapolis Alternative Scene (M.A.S.) which was edited by Dan Siskind. Founding member Bill Steinhagen later died of cancer.
In the early 1990's, Profane Existence enjoyed a close relationship with other anarcho-punk zines, including Artflux, Assault With Intent to Free, and Hippycore. Contributing writer Felix von Havoc would go on to become a regular columnist for HeartattaCk and later Maximum Rock N Roll. In 1993, several of the former editors and columnists split to form a rival political tabloid called The Blast!. The magazine can be acquired by contacting the PE collective, and has an avid following in all of Europe, America and parts of Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.
The collective was referenced by former Minnesotans The Hold Steady on their album Separation Sunday. The song, Stevie Nix, contains the line “When we hit the Twin Cities, I didn't know that much about it; I knew Mary Tyler Moore and I knew Profane Existence.�
PAY ATTENTION: AN INTERVIEW WITH ADAM DEGROSS Written by morgzyoloha
Punk rock is not dead, but it sure as hell is still different. Thanks to Adam DeGross, the Greater Twin Cities Metro has pictures to prove it. For the last five years, DeGross has been a catalyst of the Minnesota punk scene, photographing just about every show one could think of. Just as some Cold War era espionage agent, his success largely results from his life’s embrace of the culture – the DIY attitude that these numerous subcultures indulge. Every punk will tell you, there’s a reason they were first attracted to the scene, and Adam is no different. DeGross, a Burnsville native, got started on nu metal (i.e. Slipknot). The summer before ninth grade, he wanted to listen to his tunes en route to the Wisconsin Dells. Checked by a friend, a Rancid cassette was popped in, and the next thing you know DeGross was on to GBH. At a show at Burnsville’s Garage (a popular venue / youth center), a kid approached Adam, attired with a Virus shirt, with a flyer for a show at the Babylon Arts and Cultural Center (which went
ablaze in a 2004 fire). The show got rowdy, a fight broke out – DeGross recalls, “[it was] something I’ve never seen, I’m into it.” Shortly thereafter, he started heading down to local punk co-op Extreme Noise whenever he got a chance. He kept grabbing flyers to shows, and fell into Saint Paul’s street punk scene. It was only a matter of time before his attendance took a more, management-esque position – and DeGross was on to booking events. His ex-girlfriend talked him into buying a “shitty point and shoot,” and he fell in love (with the camera). Adam’s addiction timed well with the advent of social networking, and he began skipping school to add people for his photo page – 21,000 people. Bands began to take note, and Adam rose as one of the Twin Cities’ most well-known show photographers. With the rise of Facebook, MySpace’s popularity plummeted. “You don’t even know… when I started realizing MySpace was dead… I really thought I was done. I thought game over.”
Adam made the switch, and praised it for giving him more notoriety. “If it wasn’t for social media, I don’t know if I would have kept on doing it – I don’t know what the world would be like if we didn’t have social media.” DeGross refined his technique, and soon his photography began appearing in Alternative Press, and all over the Internet. He moved beyond typical band shots, and “realized [he] could take pictures of shows or people sitting and tying their boots up.” His interest moved beyond the music, and his work took a very inside perspective of the culture. “I feel like punk as a whole is both inside the shows and what people are doing when they’re not [inside the shows]… I could take a photo of right behind us and it would be punk…”
The University of Minnesota’s Andersen Archives had been moving towards a section reserved for the Minnesota subculture scenes, and DeGross was approached by Lisa Lee to help serve that purpose. Adam realized that outside our community, these photos could be relevant to people “who might just listen to The Current, or never go to a show.” So, alongside the first Minnesota flags, early war posters, and notes from the Minneapolis Orchestra, his photography now rests. Looking at the archives, DeGross contemplated, “The person who made that is probably dead… that could happen to my photos. That’s all I’ve ever really wanted… if I died, even just one photo.”
All photos taken in this article are by Adam Degross.
MINNEAPOLIS IS RICH WITH MUSIC CULTURE. THE RECORD SHOPS ARE PLENTIFUL AND THE VENUES OFFER INCREDIBLE concerts. HERE ARE A SELECT FEW THAT ARE HOME TO the cities' best music experiences.
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EXTREME NOISE 407 W Lake St Minneapolis, MN 55408
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Opened in 1994, this historic shop has been homebase of fast and heavy music not contained anywhere else in the Twin Cities. Focusing soley on heavy music, you will find it to be metal and punk heads’ safe haven.
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ELECTRIC FETUS 2000 4th Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55404 Minneapolis’ most cherished music shop. Opened in 1968, the store played a large role within the counter-culture movement for MN. With intents of new discoveries, you’ll always be leaving with something fresh. TREEHOUSE RECORDS 2557 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
The essential punk and metal music venue of Minneapolis. The Triple Rock hosts shows near 7 days a week with a joint bar next door. This garuntees to serve as the ideal venue for night of drinking, moshing and head banging.
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Within the vast ilses of records, Cheapo excels in containing a very large variety. It is extremely easy to spend hours there, as you’ll find everything from jazz, rap, and rock to rows and rows of metal and punk music.
FIRST AVENUE & 7th ST ENTRY 701 N 1st Ave Minneapolis, MN 55403 The venue that put Minnesota on the map for music. Being the home to star acts such as Prince, The Replacements and Husker Du, you’ll hear incredible music in either the state of the art Main Room or the cozy 7th St Entry. SKYWAY THEATRE 711 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55403 This venue houses some of the most current artsits of all genres, allowing for multiple artists to perform on both the main stage and in the bar room. Likely to host Minneapolis’ largest concerts that contain a hefty lineup.
This shop emerged in the 70s and 80s as an avid supporter of the punk and metal scene as well as underground music as a whole. This veteran record shop is chalked full of suprises amongst their music selection. CHEAPO RECORDS 2600 Nicollet Ave Minneapolis, MN 55408
TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB 629 Cedar Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55454
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THE CABOOZE 913 Cedar Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55404 This hard edged venue has been a home to countless metal and rock shows throughout the past 40 years. Proudly displaying a biker fueled mentality, you won’t see many concerts with more grit than at The Cabooze.
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These are brand new album releases from bands both local and out of state, ranging in genres from Doom and powerviolence to hardcore and punk. DOn't skip out on these Fresh albums. CAREER SUICIDE Machine Response
NAILS You Will Never be One of Us
Californias darkest and most intense hardcore band returns with this unforgivingly brutal release. Throughout the album listeners are treated to extremely fast songs, unfriendly lyrics, and riffs that will break your neck. For metal lovers who want to experience all that is disgusting, morbid, and angry on our world.
POWER TRIP Nightmare Logic
Exploding out from Dallas, Power Trip aims to bring back the formula of the golden age of metal with a crisp modern sound. Listeners will find it impossible not to bang your head or jump around like a maniac when hearing the incredible amounts of speed, thrashing riffs, and ultra-catchy choruses.
LIVID Sint
Home to Minneapolis’ growing doom metal scene, Livids’ debut album has recieved huge amounts of praise from metal critics across the states. With Sun O))) levels of bass clouded across this two song album running at almost 23 mins, Livid paints the striking image of infesting darkness and despair.
ZEAL & ARDOR Devil is Fine
The one man band Zeal & Ardor from New York accomplishes the impossible with his debut album Devil is Fine. Mixing both traditional black metal and chaingang chanting for vocals, this album a pleasant suprise you didn’t know you wanted. The satanic lyrics sung by what sounds like a line of chained rock-breakers gives a delivery unlike anything else you’ll hear this year.
The harcore legends from Toronto make an abrasive return with their first album since 2008. Older fans and new listeners can expect a sharp vocal performance and dizzyingly fast guitars and drums throughout this adrenaline inducing album.
CODE ORANGE Forever
CRYSTAL FAIRY Crystal Fairy
FULL OF HELL Amber Mote in the Black Vault
Forever is an album that contains a plethora of suprises. Those familiar with the metalcore/hardcore sound will find the amount of extreme energy and heaviness addictive while also hearing intuitive genre-bending segments within the tracklist. A garunteed winner with those searching for insane breakdowns.
Containing members from The Melvins, The Mars Volta, and La Butcherettes, this sludgy album relies on heavy druming, twangy guitars, and deep lyrical content. Don’t be fooled by the album covers’ bright demeanor, this is a dark album that is able to be played at funerals.
East coast powerviolence band continue to bring the genre into nightmare inducing realms with their new EP. Finally unleashing another non-collaborative album, this 4 track album contains more punch in six minutes than most bands can in 20. With gutteral vocals to match the tearing guitars, this EP will leave your head spinning.
Educate yourself with this list of album released earlier than the past few years. Some are widely considered quintessential while others are hidden gems that carry the same weight and impact. HUSKER DU Zen Arcade (1984)
Minneapolis’ most extreme hardcore/punk band. Husker Du released their album Zen Arcade as a chance to step away from the constraints of the hardcore genre, instead releasing a massive 45 min conceptual album that brings listeners to multiple areas of sound. Bordering on punk, hardcore, and even psychedelia, this is an essential album within Minneapolis history.
THE REPLACEMENTS Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take out the Trash (1981)
BLACK SABBATH Black Sabbath (1970)
There is no need for an introduction for this band. Being one of the most wellknown bands in the world, Black Sabbath can seem as being a cliche at this point. But this is only because the band literally created the genre of heavy metal. Where every metal band afterwards is playing a sort of trubute to them, this band was inspired only by what they felt needed to be made.
DESCENDENTS Milo Goes to College (1982)
Having become one of the most beloved bands in the entire punk genre, west coast band Descendents created the album Milo Goes to College when their vocalist was literally going off to college for a degree in biochemistry. The quarky humor mixed with excellent and fast songwritting about growing up and rebellion is a album you cannot ignore.
SUFFOCATION Effigy of the Forgotten (1991)
Hailing from New York, Suffocation is credited as being one of the most infuential grind/death metal bands ever. The extremely down-tuned guitars and deep gutteral vocals bring listeners into a hellish land and refuse to let up on this album. The first track, Liege of Inveracity, is also said to contain the first slam breakdown to ever be written in metal history.
MAYHEM De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994)
The album that drew news outlets to think of black metal as a threat to national security. The album holds an insane backstory that includes church burnings, warring band members attempting to become the most evil person alive, and murder. De Mysteriis is an album with unmatched demonic content. For listeners itching for a band who live what they speak: pure evil.
GORILLA BISCUITS Gorilla Biscuits (1988) Claiming the title as being one of the greatest hardcore bands to ever exist, Gorilla Biscuits hail from New York City and offer a barrage of fast and heavy performances that helped raise the genre to what it is today.
VULGAARI Vulgaari (2012)
This intense sludge/doom album comes from local band Vulgaari. Recieving high acclaim across the board, the self titled album is a fantastically dark and brutal debut, solidifying the band at the head of MN doom. The rich amount of content is enough to endlessly fill listeners’ cravings for doom, or at least until their sophomore album is released.
Another critically acclaimed hardcore/punk band from Minneapolis. Sorry Ma is an album known for being different amongst the punk/ hardcore scene. This is the Replacements fastest album with its’ pop appeal acting as the ear catcher while still maintaining an explosive performance.
03/13 : Power Trip with Iron Reagan, Call of the Void, and Wanderer Triple Rock 8PM, $14-16 18+ 03/13 : Shot Memory with Heart of Gold, Autumn Kid, and The Jeffertons 7th Street Entry 8PM, $5.00 18+ 03/17 : Dillinger Four with The Slow Death, Victory, 83 Wolfpack, and The Liverspots Triple Rock 8PM, $13-15 21+ 03/20 : Deafheaven with This Will Destroy You, and Emma Ruth Rundle First Avenue 7PM, $18-20 18+ 03/24 : Despised Icon with Carnifex, Fallujah, Rings of Saturn, and Lorna Shore The Cabooze 6PM, $20 15+
03/25 : Violent Affair with The Virgin Whores, and The Intrepids Triple Rock 8PM $7.00 18+ 03/25 : Amiensus with Antiverse, Redshift, and Mutation Turf Club 8PM, $10 21+ 3/28 : Amorphis with Swallow the Sun, and Cold Colours The Cabooze 5PM, $20-55 15+ 04/04 : Chelsea Grin with Ice Nine Kills, Gideon, and Enterprise Earth The Cabooze 5PM, $20 15+ 04/07 : Oceano with Slaughter to Prevail, Aversions Crown, Spite, and No Zodiac The Cabooze 5PM, $20 15+
PROFANE EXISTENCE INFO : - http://zinewiki.com/Profane_Existence PROFANE EXISTENCE ZINES : - https://issuu.com/randalljaykay/docs/profaneexistenceno1december1989janu - https://issuu.com/randalljaykay/docs/profaneexistenceno55spring2008.comp INTERVIEW : - https://profanexistence.com/2013/01/02/pay-attention-an-interview-with-adam-degross/