ISSUE 2 IS NOW OUT!
IN THE RAW IS THE FIRST PUBLICATION (that we know of) DEDICATED TO NEW ROOTS AND ACOUSTIC PUNK MUSIC AND CULTURE IN THE NORTHEAST!
FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF THE 2ND ISSUE...
Much has happened since the last issue of "In The Raw". For one thing, I have only noticed the size and scope of our music increasing. I’ve toured quite a bit since the last issue, so this came into clear view. As I handed the first issue around, the reaction was almost unanimous all around the country…finally, something that acknowledged the existence of roots-punk! Occasionally there would be a gripe or two that this zine is only dedicated to the northeast. To that I have only one response…start a zine or move here! It sucks to be you.
As I got In The Raw out there, I have noticed that it now seems to be commonplace to have at least one acoustic act on a punk show these days. Sometimes the amount of energy expended on an acoustic set can meet or even shadow the plugged-in bands before it. This I really like! When I see an awesomely talented folk-punk artist do a set that kicks the shit out of some 3-chord punk band with amps turned to 11, I get a little faith in the human species…just a little.
However, despite this, new roots music remains the anomaly. Folk-punk artists are still black sheep at most acoustic venues. New roots artists are still not treated seriously at plugged-in shows, almost like they’re a side note or a kitschy opener. And "In The Raw" is probably still the only zine covering this genre of music. We remain that unidentifiable thing just under the surface of the underground music world.
But on occasion it happens…there will be a show completely devoted to this style of music, and we rear our ugly heads for everyone to see. No PA’s will be present. No goofy bouncers (or their knucklehead equivalents in the audience) are around to start fights. Donation jars are passed and everyone claps and sings a long. When this happens, I realize that I am completely fine with this musical movement being exactly where it is. We are the real alternative.
And as music generally continues its downward spiral towards the digital, the fake, the pretentious, and the unchallenging, we continually get introduced to new rising artists in our culture that continue to push the boundaries of this genre. We remain steadfastly committed to stripped-down music about real life.
So “onward ho” folk-punk’ers, neo-roots’ers, acoustic punks, train-hopping banjo players, rag-tag lovers of the obscure, whiskey-drinking revelers, high school songwriters, savvy magicians, game-playing outcasts, amateur explorers of the unknown, moms who refuse to grow up, kids who refuse to grow old, psychedelic mind-expanders, dapper ghetto-dwellers, independent activists, hardworking juke hosts, suburban kids who do drum circles in garages…you are the backbone of this culture. You are the exemplars of the change we’d like to see in our world…a return to meaning, depth, and nature. We only hope to reflect you through this music and this zine. You understand something most of this sick world doesn’t, and for that, you are beautiful.
..-Darren Deicide..
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