Good Charlotte, Less than Jake, Jimmy Eat World (x2), SUM41 (x2), Papa Roach, Goldfinger, Dropkick Murpheys, Kittie, New Found Glory, Autopilot Off, WDC, Swollen Members, Theory of A Deadman, Crowned King (x2), Gob, Shocore, Vendetta Red, Pink (haha, go me...LOSER!),The Full Nine, Pennywise, Sloan, Project Wyze, Andrew WK, Blink 182, Edwin, Glassjaw, Simple Plan, Stabilo Boss, Suicide Machines, Nickleback, Default, Rufio, Matchbook Romance, Rancid...hmmm, I think that's all of them.
"My experience with Punk Rock- It started when I was 9 years old and had left my tapes at home. My brother Chris (then 15) took pity on me and leant me his Sex Pistols tape to take to school. Johnny Rotten was singing about being a "lazy sod" and "Anarchy In The UK" - I was hooked. I remember going home and getting a blank tape from my mom so I could tape it for myself, Punk Rock in a Popples walkman, oh yeah- I was cool. After awhile as I grew up I started going to the local punk shows and buying more tapes and then eventually - CD's. Everything I learned about the "movement" I loved. It taught me respect about myself and unity between fellow "punks." I was too young to actually dress in the "punk fashions" so I was still decked out in my cheesy 80's tight striped shirts and baggy cords (thanks Mom & Dad). My brother had pulled through again, and bought me a pair of blue high top Converse Chuck Taylor's All-Stars that I wore with pride. Among the other lessons like respecting my parents and understanding the sacrifices they made for me, punk taught me something else. To be wary. To actually question things I had been told, to think "outside the box." If something was told to me, I asked why? If I didn't agree, I wanted to discuss it. Punk made me realize it was ok to have your own opinions and beliefs and it was even ok to *gasp* stand up for them. By growing up and into a "punk" teen, I found an outlet for all my frustrations and hurts inflicted by others who were condescending: Punk Shows, and more specific, Punk Pits. At a show I could let everything out by slamming against other youth who were in the same boat as me. We were unified by our emotions and even more so by our need for a release. Being in the pit was always with respect towards the others though. When the song started - it was time to let loose. When it ended, it was high fives and hugs "Thanks man" and "No prob dude". If someone fell, you hauled his butt up and kept on going. It was a violent spectacle perhaps to someone not used to it, but it was our support group - and it worked. Being a "punk" doesn't just mean I get myself a Mohawk, slap on some chains, wear a pair of boots and away we go. It's a mindset and a lifestyle. Punk is change, and it changes everything you've ever been a part of. It's honestly a community where it doesn't matter WHERE you are, you're always welcomed with open arms. I can walk down the street and see another kid whose into the same thing I am, throw up my first and he'll understand and retaliate. So many parents are horrified that their kid is into Punk Rock, they seem to think we all like to go out and break shit, that we're all trouble makers or something to that effect. We're not all like that. Punk is all about expressing your individuality, about not caring what other people think and about loving who you are. It's a new way of thinking, it's open mindedness and striving for a better world. It's kids who have something to say and who aren't about to be unheard. Punk is about empowering yourself with knowledge, respect and about teaching others that you can question, you can demand answers and that being different isn't exactly the end of the world... it's really only the beginning."