The Legendary Dante

Q: How did you get into punk/alt music?

A: I got into punk/alt music when I was in middle school, my sister gave me a huge stack of CD’s, and I downloaded every single CD to my iPod. None of my other friends were really into the same genre of music, so it was a little awkward for me and I kind of felt like i was being judged.

Q: Do you remember your first time hearing a song from this genre?

A: The first song I ever heard from the punk/alt genre was little things by Good Charlotte, back in 2000-2001 when I was 8 or 9 years old. My brother was pretty big into punk music back then,  I would ride around in his car with and listen to the music. I didn’t own any CD’s or have my my own CD player at the time, so that was pretty much the only time I got to listen to any music of the genre.

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

A: Honestly, I think Taking Back Sunday or Say Anything are the top two bands.  When I was in middle school, those were the bands I listened to the most, through the best and the worst times. I know almost every word to every album of those two bands.

Q: How do your family and friends feel about you liking the genre?

A: My family has pretty much come to terms that this music somewhat “defines” me, I’d say; super supportive. My friends are on the same page for the most part, although some think it’s ridiculous and they won’t even begin to try and listen to the genre, except for when I’m around and I’m the one putting on the music.

 

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

A: The biggest misconception(s) about this genre of music is that the songs are about nothing, and it’s just a bunch of screaming. You get into a car with a friend and turn on a band like Silverstein or Senses Fail for instance, and always get the question “can you even understand what they’re saying with all that screaming?” sometimes yes, sometimes no. But the lyrical content and what the songs of this genre bring to the table is deep, if not deeper than other genres.

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

A: The first live show I ever attended was warped tour 2012 in San Antonio, TX. I saw the lineup and almost had to go by myself but eventually went with a few buddies. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it turned out to the sickest thing ever. The energy was insane! I’ve been to every warped tour since then.

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

A: The first pit I was ever in was also during warped tour of 2012 in San Antonio, TX. The band was anti-flag, and they were playing turncoat. That was also the first time I ever crowd surfed!

Q: Number of shows/bands that you’ve been to/seen?

A: I’ve been to so many shows and seen a ton of bands a handful of times, but the top bands I’ve seen the most are knuckle puck and say anything (7), bear tooth, state champs, and falling in reverse (6), and the story so far (5).

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

A: Honestly, when I first started to going to shows, I felt super out of place. I wasn’t dressed like everyone else, I didn’t know how to mosh, and I didn’t really know anything about “show etiquette”. But the more shows I went to, the more I felt right at home. One show I remember feeling super out of place at was a Sleeping With Sirens with All Time Low show when I was 23 or 24, and there were teenage girls EVERYWHERE.

Q: Your favorite band(s)?

A: Favorite bands! I would say my top 3 favorite bands in no order (of course) are say anything, senses fail, and with confidence. that was such a hard question.

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

A: I think I would say it’s around the same to be honest. Although they’re some  shows that I notice there are more black people at. It’s always nice to see other black people at the show enjoying the same type of music.

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

A: As a matter of fact I think I was the only black person at the first show I went to. I wasn’t too nervous, but it was definitely something i had thought about.

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

A: I’ve gained so much by listening to this genre of music, the amount of pure joy and happiness, the amount of friends I’ve made, and the tough times I’ve been able to overcome just by listening to the music. plus, there’s nothing like seeing this music in motion, going to a live show!