When I began this blog, I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to go with,  and one of those ideas was inspired by the documentary Afropunk. A documentary that told the stories of African American people who enjoyed punk music and documented what their lifestyles were as a result of living a punk rock life. The documentary hit home for me, being an African American male who primarily listens to pop-punk music. Pop-punk music is exactly what it sounds like, a fusion of punk elements and pop elements. Pop-punk is by no means a hardcore type of genre, compared to other genres such as metal, screamo, or punk music. But, when it comes to the general public they are all the same, some white guy screaming into a mic, white people fighting each other in mosh pits, and of course the satanic worship that takes place at concerts. In many cases, this is not true, so I wanted to shed a light on the real people who enjoy the genre of punk, rock, metal, alternative, and all sub-genres.

 

MEET DAN THE MAN

” Listening to this music has given me mental toughness and hope more than anything. If both of these things didn’t live in the music I listen to I probably wouldn’t
be alive today. Rock is a powerful Genre.”

J: How did you break into the scene?

D: The soundtracks to every Tony Hawk and WWE game had nothing but rock. That was what I heard all the time so that’s what started to like. The first band I heard was Zebrahead. 

J: Which band do you resonate with the most and why?

D:Alter Bridge resonates with me most. The personal connection the band creates through the heavy sound is unparalleled. Lyrics and all they are amazing.

J: How do your friends and family feel about your interest in this genre?

D:None of my family like “Rock” but none of them hate it, so that’s a plus

J: What have you gained by listening to this genre of music?

D: Listening to this music has given me mental toughness and hope more than anything. If both of these things didn’t live in the music I listen to I probably wouldn’t
be alive today. Rock is a powerful Genre.

J: To you, what is the biggest misconception about this genre of music?

D: “It’s the devil’s music”…. all music is the devil’s music

J: What was your first live show and how was it? How was the energy?

D: My First live show was Ashes Remain, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Switchfoot. It was at a Christian music fest but it didn’t matter. The energy was off the chain,
the church folk was into it just like any other concert and it was incredible. I was about 15 people back from the front row and I enjoyed every second.It is still one of my favorite memories.
 

J: When did you get in your first pit and what band/song was playing?

D:First pit was Papa Roach on the Carnival of Madness tour in 2013. I forget what song they opened with but it was a banger, the crowd was pretty dead up until Papa Roach played that first note. The place went apeshit pit opened up right in front of me. It was awesome.

J: Have you ever felt out of place at a show?

D:Never at a rock/metal/punk show

J: Have you seen an increase in the number of black people at shows. since you went to your first one?

D:  Concerts, no. I do attend a lot of music festivals and have seen a tremendous increase in black people.

J: Were you ever nervous that you’d be the only black person at a show?

D:  No, I always embraced that I’d probably be the only one there. Usually always am.

J: Latest show that you’ve been to?

D:I have Breaking Benjamin on Jan 10, but last concert was Griz on Halloween