Do you remember your first true punk rock moment? Maybe it was shaving your head one summer after buying your first studded belt and pair of SK8-Hi Vans? Or maybe it was hearing Bad Religion’s Suffer for the very first time as it blared from your older sister’s stereo?
Regardless of whatever it was, the important thing here is that we all have our own memorable “firsts” when it comes to punk rock – first punk record, first band shirt, etc.
Now chances are, lots of you reading this probably experienced a majority of your “punk firsts” with political punks Rise Against and Anti-Flag. With over 40 years of punk rock experience between them, it’s safe to say these two politically-charged acts have made a sizable impact in the punk community.
That said, with their upcoming Mourning In Amerika Tour kicking off tomorrow, we thought it’d be fun to hear from the two bands about some of their own punk firsts. To check out what Rise Against bassist Joe Principe and Anti-Flag’s bassist/vocalist Chis #2 had to say, be sure to look below. Afterward, make sure to grab tickets to see the two bands out on tour together with AFI here.
JOE PRINCIPE - RISE AGAINST
What was the first punk record you ever bought?
The first punk record I ever bought was The Ramones’ Subterranean Jungle. I remember seeing the movie Rock ‘n’ Roll High School – which The Ramones starred in – and I was hooked. I didn’t know what punk was at the time, I just thought they sounded funny and exciting.
Tell us a little about your very first punk show (attending or playing):
My first punk show was Bad Brains with New York hardcore band Leeway opening. I was 13 years old and hid in the back of the venue the whole time. I was totally scared yet very intrigued. It was hard to deny the sheer energy and chaos Bad Brains created. I have yet to see a show that topped it.
What was the first punk band shirt you purchased or remember wearing frequently?
I bought this Misfits shirt freshman year of high school and wore it almost every day. It made people in the town I grew up in uncomfortable so I wore it as much as possible.
What was your first punk rock haircut and about how old were you when you got it?
I shaved the sides of my hair in 8th grade and got suspended because of it. I went to a Catholic school so it was against dress code. I remember my mom thinking it was completely ridiculous to take a kid out of school because of my appearance. To deny someone’s education because of a haircut is just plain stupid.
What was your first punk rock political statement?
Oh, it was definitely going straight edge. I never felt comfortable in a party environment and was glad to find a group that was like minded. I wanted a clear head so I could focus on the things that were important to me like skateboarding and playing music. Also, I just associated getting drunk and high with mainstream society and I absolutely didn’t want to be a part of that.
Who was the first famous punk rock musician you ever met?
The first famous person I met was Ben Weasel, the singer of the groundbreaking Chicago pop-punk band Screeching Weasel. He was a local celebrity at that time but went on to become an unofficial label manager of famed indie, Lookout Records. Ben had a great ear and wrote really great pop-punk songs. I learned a lot about songwriting playing along to Screeching Weasel records.
What was the first punk song you learned to play?
The first punk song I learned to play was “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones. Ramones songs are so simple yet amazing – learning one of their songs seemed doable as a beginning bass player. I stepped it up on the next song I learned. It was a fast hardcore song called “New Wing” by hardcore legends 7 Seconds. 7 Seconds’ music [was] spooky to me at an early age. There was so much positivity and hope behind their songs. Really inspirational stuff.
CHRIS #2 - ANTI-FLAG
What was the first punk record you ever bought?
Green Day’s Dookie. I had a cassette tape with “1000 Hours” on it and I was hooked. So when Dookie hit, I had to buy it.
Tell us a little about your very first punk show (attending or playing):
It was actually an Anti-Flag show. Before I joined, I had heard of this cool political band from Pittsburgh. It affirmed to me that I wasn’t alone. Seeing people from my town play punk rock and care about more than just themselves gave me the confidence that I too could do the same. I hope that when people see us now they feel like that too, anyone can do this. There is no separation between band and audience.
What was the first punk band shirt you purchased or remember wearing frequently?
Not punk in sonics, but punk in message. A Marilyn Manson shirt that said
“Beware of God” in a beware of dog sign parody. It made me feel as rebellious as ever.
What was your first punk rock haircut and about how old were you when
you got it?
It was just crazy dyed hair. I was maybe 13 or 14 years old.
What was your first punk rock political statement?
I used to write things on my shirts and wear them to school. A move I stole from pictures of the Dead Kennedy’s. Becoming vegetarian was very close to that in timing. Again around 14 years old.
Who was the first famous punk rock musician you ever met?
It wasn’t until I joined Anti-Flag that we went far enough to meet people. On the 1999 Warped Tour, I met Billie Joe Armstrong and he knew about our band. It was a life-affirming moment and also affirmed that he was who I had hoped he would be and more.
The first punk song you ever learned to play?
The first song I learned to play on guitar was “Drain You” by Nirvana followed closely by “California Uber Alles” by the Dead Kennedy’s.
