The Punk Scene: a Breeding Ground for Positive Change

November 20, 2008

Many people have negative associations with the emo, alternative, and punk scene, without really understanding it is really about. What many people dont know is how many people and bands in the scene work with various charities and organizations to bring about positive change.

To Write Love On Her Arms is an organization that raises money for, and awareness about, depression, suicide, self-harm, addiction, and related issues. They host events with prominent bands in the scene, work with tours to spread their message, and generally cater to a segment of society that many people find it easy to turn their backs on.

Meanwhile, there is an annual tour, started by Hopeless/Sub City records called the Take Action Tour. Many labels, Web sites, and punk companies come together to sponsor the tour, from which proceeds go to non-profit organizations. The idea of the tour is to create a better world, one voice and one action at a time. Many bands come together to perform, but also to raise awareness to real causes that are affecting the people in this country. Louis Posen of Hopeless Records has even been called the Paul Newman of punk rock for his extensive donations to, and involvement with, charities.

Many people in the scene also look to care for animals. There are countless punk bands involved with peta2, mostly campaigning for simple things like humane treatment of chickens that will eventually be slaughtered. While the group obviously would like to see people go vegetarian or vegan, that agenda isnt pushed as much as simple humane treatment. As such, the bands who work with the organization are simply trying to bring a small, yet positive, change to the world. peta2 sponsors tours and sends representatives to bigger tours, as well.

While a lot of lip service is paid to other countries in crisis, groups like Invisible Children work to help raise awareness and money to help the children soldiers in Darfur. The band Fall Out Boy, in particular, has done a lot for this charity, including visiting Darfur to raise awareness and filming a music video there that tells the true story of what happens to the children who are kidnapped and forced to fight a war against their will.

Another band, Coheed and Cambria, has raised money for Alzheimers awareness, including playing benefit shows. They have also used their voice within the scene to speak out about the way the disease ruins peoples lives. My Chemical Romance has taken cancer as their cause, and have played benefit shows where every penny went to charity. Meanwhile, on their Black Parade tour, one dollar from every ticket sold -- a significant amount when you consider how many people fill arenas -- was donated to charity.

Labels such as Fat Wreck Chords have released compilations that are dedicated to political change -- or simply engaging people in politics for the first time. When elections happen in this country, many labels and punk bands speak out about the importance of voting, as well as the importance of being educated about what youre voting for.

While it is easy to simply look at emo, alternative, or punk kids as outcasts who dont care, these are but a few of the charities and causes that are embraced by the scene at large. Many bands choose their own charities and donate money and/or play benefit shows for them. They also encourage their fans to pay attention to the world around them and try to make a positive change. Maybe today would be a good day to start looking at those funny looking people in a different light?

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