Sorry I've been AWOL for the last few weeks, but between my email being hacked and throwing my old punk self into the OccupyTacoma.org movement I've been hella busy.

In the early-to-mid '80s I was exposed to a ton of music, but the stuff that really got to me was the Dead Kennedys and D.O.A. - both politically minded punk bands that have influenced my own songwriting ever since. Even when I was in metal bands my lyrics have had a sense of political urgency.

Punk rock and protest have always gone hand-in-hand. So, given the current state of the world, I find myself wondering: where are all the local punkers? I've seen a few at the last couple Occupy Tacoma marches, but not many are actually a part of the OccupyTacoma.org website, and even fewer have congregated at 21st and Pacific Avenue downtown for the last week or so. Members of Klondike Kate, Sok and the Faggots, and Spinalcracker have been flying the flag for freedom. Now where are you?

Speaking of Sok and the Faggots, the band headlined Hell's Kitchen Head Honcho Casey's B-Day party last Tuesday, which drew one of the largest crowds I've seen at a local show in a while! South 11th, Absence of Grace, (best set I've seen the band do EVER), Deathbed Confessions and the Moron Broz rocked in front of 250-plus beer-spewing, slam-dancing locals. It made me feel proud to be there.

In other local news, American Wrecking Company has a brand new EP out called Force (x) Mass (=) Acceleration, and jeez does it rip! Masterful production from the fine folks at Pacific Studios makes this local CD really stand out. When I heard the first track, "Collapsed," the song was so fast and brutal I thought the CD was skipping. Nope! The band was just getting the shredding thrash going with new vocalist T.J. (Ex-De-KreP-iT), who really surprised me. I can actually understand what he's saying! And boy is he pissed! "New Birth" is a great breakup song - the polar opposite of sappy. "Start a War," "Vicious" and "Invaded" continue the assault, reminding me a bit of the debut Slipknot CD, without the crappy rap-rock elements and double the rage and fury. Pick up this CD and find out for yourself.

In the meantime Occupy a Gig! Get involved in your scene! Send me your new stuff for review or mockery - I'm on Facebook. And remember: the scene doesn't happen without you!!