Hardcore

I am always up for experiencing new things. I had a new experience this last Friday night. One of my best friends is in a hardcore band and even though I really don't like the music style I told him I would see him play once to support him. I am used to the music because he is always playing it but I still do not really enjoy it, much less can I understand what they are saying. So they had a show on Friday at the White Rabbit here in town. If you know what the Rabbit is, you know it is one of the more popular music scenes in town. I guess I had pictured it differently and was a little surprised at what I saw when I got there. I could call it a dump but that might be a little unfair. It has two stage rooms, one big and one smaller, an outdoor area, and a pizza parlor. The entire place is covered in graffiti, some designed to look that way, but a lot added on by it's guests. Just a fair warning, don't use their bathroom. I would never have found it on my own, but my friend showed me to the very corner of the outdoor area and around a very dark corner into the nastiest bathroom ever. I had to go bad enough that I used it and he was surprised to see soap. That made me laugh. After reading a tiny bit of the walls I decided that I didn't want to use that bathroom again, leaving a tad disgusted. we saw a few different bands playing. I couldn't tell you who they were, or what they were saying. I don't think I have ever been in a room so loud. We stayed for about 3 hours total and some of that, thankfully was in the quiet of the pizza parlor. I was not surprised that the place reeked of smoke and weed and alcohol, but the smell disgusts me. My clothes smelled so bad when I got home. I was standing there listening to my friend's band play. I had heard their stuff before but hearing them live was different. I walked away sad. This group is Christian which is a contrast to the other bands in this arena. While I am proud of him for going into a very dark and angry arena of music with lyrics that speak truth, I was sad to see that the show is mainly a self glorification. My friend is the singer and is very passionate about his lyrics and music, but the crowd and and even his friends could care less about the lyrics. They are there to "mosh" and dance. Even the band, I felt like they were just there because they love showing off their rock and hair twirling skills. When the show was over they packed up their stuff and left. I just walked away feeling sad for the people in the bar that were getting high and wasted. They have no hope, and this group has awesome lyrics and I know the singer has an awesome testimony, but I didn't feel like anything was communicated but screaming and loud music. A different friend that went with me tells me it's a matter of music taste, but I just couldn't do that. It is too depressing and angry for me. I may be wrong about this, about where the heart of it all is at. It just didn't feel legit to me. If I am wrong, I am sorry for saying opposite. It just saddened me to see that. Still processing it all.