Punk shows and the feeling of being alive

If there's one thing you do in your life, go to a punk show. Not one of the big ones in an actual venue, go to one in a sweaty garage or under a bridge somewhere. I go to shows a lot, well as many as I can, and every time I meet someone cool and have the time of my life. When it's over you're sweaty, gross, your feet hurt, you got headbutt, kicked, slammed, and overall roughed up, but in that moment you never feel more alive. Not only that but the punk scene is generally one of the more accepting places, no matter who you are if you know how to have a good time you're welcomed with open arms. I'm a nerd, a total dweeb and yet I've met some of the coolest people and have made friends with some absolutely amazing people. My first local show I went to was in this little warehouse thingy. There was no stage it was just a room. I talked to some people and ended up making 4 different friends that night who I care about a lot and think are super cool. Tonight I went to one, well I actually went to one last night too because it was a two day in a row thing, but I had the time of my life I swear. It was in this little garage and I was hit with a wave of different music, all right in my town. A riot grrrl band, a tenacious d ripp off and a kick ass metal band all in one night for only 5 dollars. I met so many cool people tonight and I got to hang out with a good friend of mine I met at a different show (7 hour long punk marathon!!!!). We ate watermelon off the floor (or at least I did), skanked when no one else did, ate month old candy, headbanged our hearts out, got sweaty, fell over, talked about life and got to pet a cat the owners had. I don't know how to stress this enough but please, go to a 5 dollar punk show. You'll feel a way I don't think can ever be put into words. Also if you complain about not seeing bands before they got big, go to your local shows PLEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEEE!!!! Why dwell on what you can't have when you can go out and discover new bands all in affordable shows in your local scene.