Rusty train tracks litter the ground of Seattle's industrial district, and the sound of plastic wheels slamming against concrete can be heard as you get closer and closer to the famous Marginal Way DIY Skatepark. On any given night, your journey may be accompanied by a soundtrack of screaming, strumming, and slamming, as, in a city dominated by 21+ venues and events, Seattle punks will take advantage of any all-ages spaces they can get their hands on.
Shows (such as this) in local scenes have increasingly adopted the NOTAFLOF policy of event planning, indicating that everyone will be let in regardless of their financial situation. Skateparks in particular have always been an important fixture for the youth, and in an era so deprived of affordable third spaces, skateparks are now even more important for fostering community. Local bands Sneer, Distest, Open Veins (pictured top), and Toxic Tears rocked Marginal Way Skatepark Saturday night in celebration of a local birthday, with a party that included sex dolls, lightsabers, and donuts.
Sneer opened by blowing the nonexistent roof off the place, giving their all to a small but loyal crowd who chose not to be fashionably late. Armed with a big black tutu and a thousand-yard stare, lead singer Luca sunk their claws into the audience and refused to let go. Despite minor sound issues, the crowd never ceased their enthusiastic two-stepping as the walls of the skatepark echoed the energy into every crevice of the structure. Sneer is known in the scene for their commitment to activism and community, as can be seen by their choice to play two different shows, back to back, that night.
Local crust band Open Veins followed shortly after, and as the music got heavier, so did the dancing, resulting in the blow-up sex dolls fully deflating by the end of the set. Skaters began skating through mosh pits with lightning speed as Open Veins growled their politically charged melodies into the crowd, accompanied by heavy, cyclical guitar solos. On a bill like this, bands of varying ages brought crowds of varying ages, adding to the overall unifying feel of the show. The patched-up legs of all generations could be seen dangling off the ramps from all sides of the park, with a special guest appearance by a fluffy spikey-collared dog.
As the night continued, the event switched roles from show to party back to show again, several times. A break between sets gave way for party hats and balloons to suddenly infiltrate the crowd as free donuts were passed around to replenish lost calories from moshing. Self-identified “cry-baby punks,” Toxic Tears took the stage next, opening their set as they always do with a satirical cover of Megan Thee Stallion's song “Mamushi.” As the set continued and the band wailed like punk banshees about love, feminism, and the government, a lightsaber battle broke out in the crowd. The tense Jedi conflict continued on into Distest’s set as the two saber wielders battled for the high ground in the middle of the moshpit.
Distest ended the night with a “full frontal attack on your mind and body,” as they call it. Giving the crowd high-energy hardcore punk to dance to in the dark. The sun set fully, and the moshing turned into aimless slamming as the band's heartbeat-like drumming and evil guitar riffs acted as the perfect backdrop to the dark summer night. Shirtless punks infiltrated the pit before the inevitable happy birthday was sung throughout the crowd, and the night of fast-paced partying slowly lulled to a silent end.
