Me, Sam: A Punk Rock Origin Story
"Her Life Was Saved by Rock & Roll" -- The Runaways
Where to begin?
Picture it. Brooklyn, 2014. My band, Running Thoughts, stood on the small but surprisingly roomy stage at the (now closed) Fifth Estate bar over on 5th Avenue. We were at the end of playing my favorite part of our set back then - we called it “The Ramones Trifecta”. And as we wrapped up Blitzkrieg Bop with a final “Let’s go!”, the crowd erupted. I took it all in for as many seconds as I could, and the moment I had was significant. Without Punk, my life might have turned out differently. I certainly wouldn’t have been on that stage.
It’s hard to pinpoint the moment when punk really dug itself into me. It was definitely before I decided to pick up a bass (although not much, I don’t think?), and it probably had to do with The Ramones. I was certainly late to the game; I didn’t properly fall for punk until I was in my 20’s. Before that, my playlist had a lot of metal, pop, big band, 50’s/70’s rock… all right, and some Weird Al (he’s in a class of his own). Punk was different for me though, and I think it had to do with how it released all of the anger (don’t be scared; I’m actually really chill) inside when it had nowhere else to go. It saved my life.
Deciding to start a band wasn’t something we took lightly, but I feel like I need to admit that the concept started brewing from boredom! I think the exchange went:
Sister: “Want to start a band?”
Me: “...fcuk it, yeah. Let’s do it.”
It set the next part of my life into motion, and we still chuckle about it today. What might’ve happened if we weren’t bored that day? (smile)
My first bass came into my life by way of the oldest trope in the world - got it at a pawn shop. The logo on the headstock (JBP) was one I’d never seen before, and it was heavier than I thought it had any business being. But man, when I got home and locked myself away to pluck a few notes, I decided that any injury I was risking by lugging this new extension of my body all over the city would be worth it.
We finally played our 1st gig at Hank’s Saloon, the 2nd greatest dive bar in the city (sadly, also closed), and it only happened because a friend of ours had us booked at a place that had shut down the night before we were set to appear! From there on, life became about the DIY of it all, loud and raucous rehearsals, and the bonds I formed with my bandmates while we created tunes that were hard, fast, quite messy, and intensely personal.
It is with my origins in mind that I write this punk rock musical, meant to be both funny and (in some ways) therapeutic. It’s been a blast continuing to grow musically, so thanks for coming along on the ride.