Dangerous in All the Right Ways

Last weekend, Demerit, a punk rock band from Beijing, China came to Seoul. They were really cool guys and put on a great show. My friends and I got to hang out with them all weekend and into the beginning of this week.

I have to say, some people (cough...Fat Mike...cough) always talk about how punk rock used to be dangerous. They say so much of it isn't dangerous anymore, but that they are. I mean, they have a point. So much punk rock is just fluff and image and doesn't stand for anything anymore. But even when it was "dangerous" to be a punk in the USA, that usually meant you'd get angry looks, denied service somewhere or in a fight. Yes, the US Government tried to censor punk rock. It's a FACT that Jimmy Carter gave tax breaks to any record label that agreed not to sign punk rock bands. It's a bit ridiculous, but this is far from life threatening.

Being punk rock in the last great, oppressive Communist power in the world has the potential DANGEROUS. Okay, so Tienanmen Square happened almost 20 years ago, but has much changed? China will snuff out any movement they think is too big. Being one of the internationally well-known Chinese punk rock bands and singing songs with lyrics like, "Voice of the people. We can't find a reason," and, "Beijing is NOT my home," you're bound to get some looks. Punks in the US hate the government, and it's far from perfect, but these guys really have good reason to hate their government, and speaking out against it takes big.....well, you know. All that to say, the guys in Demerit were really great and I really respected a lot about them.

Of course, it helped that they put on a great show. They had amazing stage presence and played a great set. The ending was incredible. They did a nice long medley near the end. It started with "Voice of the People" and then they broke into the intro of "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden followed by "Blitzkrieg Bop" by the Ramones and "Breakin' the Law" by Judas Priest. Of course, you can't end your international show with covers so they capped it off with some more originals. It was a great time, and I look forward to seeing them again.

Check out Demerit at: www.myspace.com/demeritamry

*I want to add that I know the Chinese Government is not out there hunting down these guys because they're punks, but I think you understand my point.