The Insurgence - Punk in Seattle

Punk is such a watered-down term and generic genre these days and there are constant reminders that kids (or youth to be a bit more politically correct) don’t really know what punk is - definitionly speaking – either musically or philosophically. I mean, sure they buy their Sid Vicious and Misfits shirts at their local Hot Topic, but aside from a fashion trend, do they really know what is going on on the albums they don’t buy? If any insight is needed into the world of punk - which is not dead - one can always take a peek into the streets and venues of Seattle.  One band in particular, The Insurgence, never lets their audience forget that they do have a message. Standing on the streets of Capitol Hill in Seattle, the smells of sizzling hot dogs and curry and moshers’ funk wafting through the spot the band and I found outside the venue, The Insurgence give me some insight into what it’s like to be inside their camp.

With a line-up consisting of Jibo screaming away on vocals, MW screeching on the guitar, Josh Snider beating the skins senseless, Justin brutalizing the bass, and Del driving it all home on his guitar, The Insurgence are in a position to get everyone’s attention. It took a few months to get the line-up solid as Mike explains, “We had a different guitar player who sang quite a bit. It was a different kind of style and we all kind of wanted to do something that was a little more hardcore with really no singing. Jibo has more of an east coast attitude. He has kind of an attitude problem.” Jibo is quick to respond, not necessarily denying possessing an attitude problem, but detailing the musical influences behind the band which pieces together an east coast vibe on vocals reminiscent of “Agnostic, H20, and the Bruisers, but the drums have a west coast feel and the guitars are a lot of rock n roll.

Influenced by “world issues” not just governmental politics, a cliché and overused subject in the world of punk philosophies, the guys in the band take being “pissed off about unjust bulls**t in the world” and turn it into a musical outlet where they can possibly educate and motivate others.  It’s about “the big guy stepping on the little guy” which you quickly discover listening to their songs about Darfur and even such topics as “honor killings and wars for religion.” Such truths might not be easy to stomach, but they are a glaring reality, and The Insurgence do not retreat from or avoid anything controversial, uncomfortable, or even taboo. To be socially conscious and in a band is an art that is both rare and in its death throes.  Sadly, when this is attempted, it often just sounds like singing from pre-written note cards; The Insurgence successfully dodge this dilemma.

As the music scene grows and trends trundle in and out, whether its “the emo and the goth and this and that, it’s just phases,” Jibo intercedes “but punk rock is always going to be there.” And with the advent of the Internet as a promotion tool, the band uses this “prime example of the new D.I.Y.” to reach out directly to their fans: the catalyst for the appeal of the underground music scene all along.

No regrets which is affirmed with a unanimous “f**k no” resounding from the semi-circle of band members formed around me on the sidewalk of Pike.  “A regret is hard to have when you are getting to do things the way you want to do it…we’ve not had to bend over for anybody.” They haven’t played overseas yet, so that is always open to change.  Though there has been adversity in the history of the band, the negative is balanced by the positive and often challenging life-lesson-filled outcomes. There isn’t anything that this group of die-hard punkrockers is frightened to face as a musical troupe. As of this year, the band has dropped a four song EP on Basement Records, is working on a full length that should drop soon, and continues to gain respect within the musical community of the Pacific Northwest. Add your name to the arsenal of cognizant and concerned musical citizens who actually care about the opacity growing in the punk society.