Anti-Flag & Alexisonfire

"Underground Network" by Anti-Flag from Underground Network (2001)

Punk rock made music important. Not societally, but for me personally. Whether it be NOFX, Strung Out, No Use For A Name, AFI, Propagandhi, etc., it was punk music that really made me feel passionate about music. People can make the "untalented" argument all they want, but music is about more than creating a technically flawless sound; it's about unleashing your emotions and speaking from your heart. Whether that means speaking out against authority (the government, parents, police, etc.) or simply voicing the frustrations of living and growing that we all deal with, music helps us to both be free and together all at once. Being yourself while being able to relate to others is the ultimate freedom and, for me, punk rock embodies this completely: nowhere am I able to fully let go of myself but in a mosh pit. It's chaotic, violent and exhausting, but most importantly, it's cathartic.

I'm by no means old (24) but I know that every second I spend flailing myself around with dozens of my punk-loving brethren is like a dip in the fountain of youth. I'm immediately sixteen again and nothing else in the world matters. Everyone has something in their life that gives them this feeling (whether it's sports or old movies or certain locations from years past), but for me this is everything.

In continuing with the alphabetically trend, Anti-Flag's "Underground Network" is, sonically and lyrically, the epitome of punk rock: it's anti-authoritative, fast and angry. I can't count on one hand the number of times I've lost myself in a Flag mosh pit screaming the lyrics to this song with some of the best friends I'll ever have and I hope I get the chance to do it at least one more time.

To go along with this track I'm also including "Get Fighted" by Alexisonfire, another one of my favourite bands. This song is about everything I've just said (albeit a little louder) and, like Anti-Flag, captures the youthful energy that I'll always hold dear.

- PUNK IS DEAD. LONG LIVE PUNK.

"Underground Network"

"Get Fighted"

"So make sure you love like you've never been hurt
and when you dance, dance like there's no one watching you"

'Cause you can waste your time, redefining the day that music died
Or you can spend your life, guilt free and ostracized
'Cause all the fashion in the world can't save you now
It's something, I'll write it down for you

"So make sure you love like you've never been hurt
and when you dance, dance like there's no one watching you"

'Cause this shit is not about pants
And this shit's not about shirts
And this shit is definitly not about hair
This shit is having a good fucking time
Maybe music isn't dead
Maybe music isn't dead
Maybe we all just forgot what it fucking sounded like
They forgot!
They forgot!

'Cause you can waste your time, redefining the day that music died
Or you can spend your life, guilt free and ostracized
'Cause all the fashion in the world can't save you now
It's something, I'll write it down for you

My greatest gift to you
is a dance floor
free from insecurity