D.I.Y.

D.I.Y.

by Atreya Holman

A big part of the local and DIY scenes in any part of the world, I think, is the inclusive nature of the shows. The resounding theme of the scene is that music is for everyone, and no one should feel left out. More specifically, no one should be left out because of what year they happened to be spat into the Earth in a stream of guts.

All-ages shows mean a lot of things for everyone involved, not just the attendees. Most venues that have all-ages shows won't serve alcohol at the event, which affects everyone from the bands to the promoters. No booze means no bar sales, and no bar sales mean a limited budget. But the point of the DIY scene isn't to make the most money, and that's what sets us apart. It's never about how much money we can make at a show, it's about how many people we can get to come out and have a good time.

photo courtesy of Atreya Holman

Most people over 21 in this scene have taken to pregaming: drinking at home or in the parking lot with friends before shows. If a venue does happen to serve alcohol, there seems to be a clear divide between age groups created incidentally. We've all spent time in those taped off areas by the bar, guarded by shitty venue security, watching the show from the sides. Who wants that? If you've brought friends that aren't 21 yet, it's even worse. That kind of division doesn't jive well with the ideals of this culture, which is why a good majority of local shows take place at someones house.

House shows are a staple of DIY culture. Every city has "the house" that's known for its frequent and memorable showcases of local talent. Everyone remembers their first time at this house. Talks about the things that happen there seem to never end. After a while, stories of parties at this house become like legends told to all the newcomers to make sure they understand exactly where they're going and what this place means to the scene. Rules are typically seen as blasphemy to the majority of people in this culture, but respecting the space is a rule that's always enforced. Causing problems at a house could mean no more shows, and no more shows means no more scene.

photo courtesy of Atreya Holman

Here in Ventura County, there's a house hidden up in the Orange Groves off highway 126: Asher's House. Bands and show-goers from all over Southern California have ventured up to this house in the middle of nowhere for shows on any given night of the week. There's an abandoned house with broken windows and writing on the walls just down the dirt road, plenty of space (We've packed about 150 people in his backyard before!), and an understanding that as long as property isn't destroyed and no one parks in front the yellow house, we can party as loud and as long as we want. All-ages are accepted, and recently that's been taken to another level.

The last couple Asher shows have opened their doors to a few kids, for lack of a better term. They couldn't have been older than 14 at most. No one knew who they were or how they had heard of the show, but we were happy to have them. They showed up with huge black X's on their hands and a roaring enthusiasm just to be in the company of so many people in the scene they are so clearly striving to be a part of. Every band had them standing at the front, holding their own against the pit forming in front of them, and even joining in at some points.

photo courtesy of Atreya Holman

I know there have been a lot of disappointing accusations against people in this scene that many of us admire. It's hard to keep up hope that we're doing the right thing by throwing these shows and creating our own music that draws influence from people that don't have the morals we thought they had. But there's something about watching these teenagers being both treated as equals in the pit and also being protected by the crowd around them that keeps that fire burning. It's almost like looking at a time machine that brings you back to your very first house show, wherever that may have been. It's important for us to remember where we started in this scene. No matter where we are now or how far we've come, we have to pave the way for the generations after us. We must set the example.