4 anarchists sharing 2 guitars

Yesterday Evan was doing a show at the Mercury Cafe, on Chicago Ave. The place was large and, though most of the seats were taken, it somehow seemed unfilled. The cast of characters inside was exactly what I have learned to expect from one of Evan's shows.

First, there was hair of all colors. There were dreads, mohawks, rat tails, etc. The general theme in terms of clothing was "grunge", both literally and reminiscent of the music culture. There was a ripe smell, which was not unexpected given the number of people who had most certainly hitchhiked there and/or had slept in the streets.

I was surprised at how much the clothing and accessories (earrings, industrials, nose rings, eyebrow rings, lip rings, as well as studded belts, collars, bracelets, and clothing) evoked violence. There were several people in camo, a number in combat boots, some in motorcycle-gang-style jackets, buzz cuts, etc. Yet, it had all been modifyed to convey a message of peace. One kid who wore full camo also had patches that had anti-Nazi symbols. One woman wore a intense jacket - right out of the punk scene - that had "Anti-Racist Activists" emblazoned on the back in what I can only describe as an outlaw font.

Many of the songs, too, used violent language - revolution, fight, attack, destroy - to convey a message of egalitarianism and peace (eventually, at least). One singer, Shannon, sang a song about being a creative feminist, as opposed to a destructive feminist. But, she was quick to point out, she was not "knocking anger", anger has a place, she said.

It is a remarkable thing, I realize, that these people can absorb all of the anger and hatred in this world, and then project this vision of an undivided world, filled with understanding, peace, justice. True: the message is clothed in violence, like a long syringe used to inject medicine. But what else should we expect? A child who hears only the language of anger will speak always in anger, even if they are speaking about love.