Hamilton Rock Against Racism - August 20 - All Age

[IRmod]

From the Hamilton Rock Against Racism Myspace:



All right, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again! The rescheduled Hamilton Rock Against Racism show is happening on Saturday, August 20th at The Corktown...all-ages/licensed...doors at 8:00 PM, first band at 9:00 PM and over by Midnight...$4.00 gets you four bands plus an absolutely free, one-of-a-kind, limited-edition, collectible 'Love Music Hate Racism' button.

Hopefully we'll see a few of you at the show, it promises to be an evening of great music and a celebration of unity and community.

Keep an eye on the HRAR Myspace accout at www.myspace.com/hrar for more info and details about Hamilton Rock Against Racism and the show, and to hear some tunes from bands playing the show..,

"LOVE MUSIC, HATE RACISM!"

[littlekim]

it's always an interesting time at the corktown. Last time I was there I actually saw people throwing tables.
Also, they seem to have a problem where there isn't enough beer pitchers. I saw someone return their pitcher and the bar tender filled it up with beer and gave it to someone else.. all with out washing it. Someone could have hoarked up a loogie in that pitcher!

That place brings out hamilton's finest

[IRmod]

Well, hopefully it will bring out St. Catherine's finest too, though it sounds like you might want to bring your own pitcher!

[littlekim]

Unfortunately for me, i'll be busy slaving away at work so i won't be able to come. Funny thing, I think my work is actually what makes some Hamilton people act the way they do. Living by a steel factory for long periods of time can't be good for anyone. In fact, I think a third arm has already started growing on my back!

[Bhoy67]

Yes, the Cork is an ideal venue in the Hammer for such an event. I have many fond and "interesting" memories from over the years there (some with Kim too!), right up until no more than a couple weeks ago. Oh the stories. The "50" used to come out of the taps with a healthy green tinge to it. Gotta love the locals as well. Santa was drinking there and dancing with a rather large women (whom I don't think was Mrs. Claus) only back in June. Celebrity!

[littlekim]

ew with a "healty grren tinge?" Sick. It reminds me of the beer on tap from when the mindbomb was still open in st. catharines. The only beers you were safe with was anything dark. If you got a lager of some sort it would taste like soapy lipstick.

We've seen a lot of good shows together there Mikey!

[Bhoy67]

littlekim said:

We've seen a lot of good shows together there Mikey!

And looking forward to many more, darling. ;D

[UnitedBlood]

The Corktown, played a few shows their a long time ago. Then i got banned for a disagreement with the sound guy. Interesting times, I doubt they remember me so I'll probably be their.

[IRmod]

A couple of recent media reports on the Hamilton Rock Against Racism show....:

From the Thursday, August 18 issue of Hamilton's View Magazine...:

"In this day and age, you might figure society on the whole would be more enlightened. But people and organizations that hope to thwart racism are still needed today.

Hamiltons own Rock Against Racism hopes to affect society positively, although their last scheduled concert was postponed.

"All HRAR wanted was a celebration, not a confrontation, not a demonstration," explains a spokesperson for the organization who wishes to remain anonymous. "And HRAR were certainly not the ones threatening the club, the organizers, the bands and ultimately the patrons of the show, but we got shut down." Reportedly, the Hamilton Hate Crimes Unit documented some concerns from internet message board chatter that suggested the event might offer a violent confrontation between the factions against racism and, incredibly, in favour of racism. "Add to the mix the fact that a Toronto antiracist organizationAnti-Racist -Action announced on the Steel City Music board, unbeknownst to us and unasked by us, that they were going to hold a demonstration against the racists as well... the police saw the potential for trouble."

"The show was meant, and is still meant to be, reactive and proactive. Reactive in the sense that there has been harassment of people both at shows and on the streets by a small group of boneheads. And then you've got things like the swastikas that were painted on the school on the mountain. The show was meant to be a way of publicly taking a stand and spreading a fairly simple message pointing out that racism is not welcome in this music scene, that there is no place in it for racism or intimidation or bigotry. Its meant to provide a safe haven if you will, a place for people with similar interests to come together to listen to some great anti-racist music and hopefully network in a spirit of unity, community and cooperation. HRAR is certainly under no illusion that one punk rock show will eradicate racism, but it is one small step towards getting people to both realize that the problem exists and to get people working together towards building a hate-free scene and culture.Bottom line is that HRAR feels that you can't just turn a blind eye to this problem; shining a light on racism through events like Rock Against Racism is one way of raising awareness, in a celebratory, safe and fun way."

Non Passive Resistance, the Hamilton musical contingent of the Rock Against Racism show, may not even be old enough to drink legally in bars, but they seem determined to make a difference. "Obviously, seeing as we are just one group of kids from Hamilton we dont expect to change the world," reasons NPRs drummer, Matt. "What we want to do is get our message out there and have the people listen to it and do what they will with it. One of our main ideals is that if something is being done to you that you believe is wrong then you should fight back and be aggressive about it."

With an average age of 17, Matt, Steve (guitar), Kim (vocals) and Justin (bass) mine a musical vein similar to old school hardcore la Minor Threat, or early Agnostic Front. They've been at for two years, have already released an EP on disc and befriend like-minded souls from the Amp Records camp but with such determination, they could be destined for more."This band is not just a fling for kids, it is important to us because were actually dedicated to it and have been at it for almost two years now," reasons Matt. "After this amount of time, its not something youre into one week and not the next; its more like a lifestyle choice."

"When we first started it was pretty much just friends who would come out to see us and now we meet new people at a lot of our shows. Also, when we play out of town its nice to see people we've never met enjoying themselves during our set. We've also met a lot of cool people who have been in the scene a lot longer than us, like Larry Retard (Amp Records owner/Spoiled Rotten) and Panty-christ, who have helped us out a lot." So just looking for something to do has become a social vehicle, a job and a lifestyle, and a potential political vehicle for the intellectually inclined members of Non Passive Resistance. "There is a general theme to most of our lyrics," Matt notes. "Each member of our band has their own beliefs and ideals, but for the most part we try to express living your own life separately from the bullshit that people sling."

"The goals we had when we started were mainly to have fun, and help create a place for other kids like us to go at night. We would say we are somewhat inspirational. We've met a few kids who have gotten into punk just by coming out to shows. Its good to have a place you can go where there are other people who are interested in the same things as you and you are able to get away from all the other shit for a bit and have fun.This RAR show is going to be very special for us and everyone involved. It is something we all believe in strongly and its about fighting for a number of things worth defending, our scene being one of them. Were confident the show will go over very well and will be a
great night for everyone involved. Hopefully an event like this will open peoples eyes and create awareness of an evergrowing situation that needs to be dealt with."

Non Passive Resistance play Hamiltons Rock Against Racism concert this Saturday, August 20, at the Corktown with The Rotten, Final Four and The Fallout. Doors for the licensed and allages event are at 8pm and its $4 at the door."

--------------------------------------------------------------

From the Friday, August 19th edition of The Hamilton Spectator


"New Venue For Concert Against Racism

by Dana Borcea

An anti-racism punk rock show that was cancelled in June for fear of violence is on again.

Organizers and police say they don't expect trouble at the concert, rescheduled for tomorrow night at a new venue.

"The aim is not to have a demonstration or confrontation," said one Hamilton Rock Against Racism organizer who did not want to be identified.

"We want to raise awareness about the issue of racism and to bring people together."

The plug was pulled on the June 4 concert after the Hamilton police hate crimes unit contacted the owner of the concert's original venue, The Underground.

The show was cancelled to avoid any risk of a confrontation between anti-racist activists and right-wing skinheads.

A member of a small Hamilton-based right-wing skinhead group confirmed yesterday that there are no plans to protest the all-ages show at the Corktown Tavern tomorrow.

Hamilton Rock Against Racism, modelled after the anti-racist punk shows that spread from England in the 1970s, is a response to complaints of increading intimidation by racist skinheads within Hamilton's local music scene.

The 17-year-old lead singer of Non-Passive Resistance, the only Hamilton-based band on the bill, said he has noticed a growing neo-Nazi presence.

Adam, a singer and bass player for the Jarvis-based band Final Four, said that while he personally might not like racism, he's not approaching the show as a "political crusade."

"It's a punk show and it's at the Corktown, so it could get rowdy either way."

Police confirmed they are aware of the rescheduled show.

"We're not concerned at this stage," said intelligence unit staff sergeant Ted Davis.

Police recorded 60 hate crimes last year, up from 44 in 2003. Many of these cases involved graffiti.

Davis added the rise is no cause for alarm and attributed it to growing awareness and increased reporting.

"We have not seen a notable rise (in racist activity)," he said. "Things seem to be staying at the status quo."

[Insurgence Records]

Good on the folks who persevered and made the show last weekend happen. It was a raging success according to reports we've received:

"Great bands, big crowd, a wise no-show from the boneheads and refreshingly, no sign of the placard-and-sandal brigade ... More to come!"