I started listening to "punk rock" at the age of 13. It was not until I was 15 that I learned about the "caring side" of punk. Music with a message. What a weird concept for a 15 year old. My first brush with a band that truly cared was DISSENT. For those of you not familiar with this band, you should be. They were the most caring, intense, honest band I have ever seen. They broke up many years ago. Bob, the lead singer, was killed by a drunk driver in '91. I dedicate my music and mind to him. He was a very beautiful person and we all miss him. When I say Dissent for the first time, I was shocked. They were rattling off topics of sexism, racism, homophobia, and many other things I never realized existed. I was so blown away, I bought thier LP that night. They were a complete DIY band. They owned and operated thier own label called AMITY RECORDS. All together Dissent released 2 LPs, 2 7"s, and wre on numerous comps. With good intentions and intense music, Dissent helped to form my world. This band strived for peace so bad. They printed thier lyrics in 7 different languages. I'm not saying I believed everything they said right away. I read up on a lot of topics they were concerned about. Living in the midwest has sheltered us from many things. It took some caring people to help me open my eyes and learn to be aware of the wrong things going on around me. One thing I learned from Dissent is that understanding, cooperation, and love are the keys to human survival. I love that line. It shows me that we all need to communicate more. Humans as a whole are selfish. We need to start breaking down our individual walls and rebuild our lives with the world and all it's people inside. We've all been conditioned to look out for number one. Well, I don't subscribe to that realm of thought anymore. I get more satisfaction out of life when i can help another human being. To me, helping another is far more important than anything i could do for myself. When i fall down in life, I feel like such a complete failure. I've learned to take my feelings of failure and turn them around. Failure is just a wake up call telling me i need to change something in my life or in myself. We all have the power to change anything about ourselves. For myself, and many others, punk rock is all we have. It seems that outside influences are always changing the texture of our punk scene. No matter what kind of scene you are a part of, there is always going to be first-timers. Embrace all - new and old. Remember you were once a first-timer. Also, remember, everything you do directly or indirectly affects other people. If you don't take a stand and back up your beliefs, punk rock will not work. Question any and everything. Communication is really the key to happiness. Just think about this. The next time you are laughing at someone, they could be laughing right back at you. We need to treat everyone in the same way we would want to be treated. Anything else is senseless. Dissent was a very important aspect to the formation of my views. I think of how they helped me and I someday hope i can help someone with my music and understanding. Change has to start somewhere. We all need to make the first move. If you seek any info on Dissent, Floodplain, of just want a pen pal, please write us!! - - TAKE CARE - - TERRY TAYLOR.
another human being. To me, helping another is far more important than anything i could do for myself. When i fall down in life, I feel like such a complete failure. I've learned to take my feelings of failure and turn them around. Failure is just a wake up call telling me i need to change something in my life or in myself. We all have the power to change anything about ourselves. For myself, and many others, punk rock is all we have. It seems that outside influences are always changing the texture of our punk scene. No matter what kind of scene you are a part of, there is always going to be first-timers. Embrace all - new and old. Remember you were once a first-timer. Also, remember, everything you do directly or indirectly affects other people. If you don't take a stand and back up your beliefs, punk rock will not work. Question any and everything. Communication is really the key to happiness. Just think about this. The next time you are laughing at someone, they could be laughing right back at you. We need to treat everyone in the same way we would want to be treated. Anything else is senseless. Dissent was a very important aspect to the formation of my views. I think of how they helped me and I someday hope i can help someone with my music and understanding. Change has to start somewhere. We all need to make the first move. If you seek any info on Dissent, Floodplain, of just want a pen pal, please write us!! - - TAKE CARE - - TERRY TAYLOR.
