Latest news with #punkband
Washington Post
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
She's the bassist in a band of strangers. It's their first (and last) show.
Maddy Knoth shifts back and forth in her red and pink Converse high-tops. She's busy debating early-aughts pop hits with the bandmates she met only a few weeks ago, but can already feel the adrenaline that builds before a live performance. Their set isn't for another three hours, and the members of newly formed Legends of Limewire are killing time before doors open to the public. Knoth paints her chipped nails with baby blue polish, and waves a piece of notebook paper with a handwritten set list to dry them. She hardly needs the note. She's played these songs dozens of times. The bass line grooves have sunk into her fingers. She's ready to play her first concert in her new city. After living in Memphis for three years, the city's music scene felt small. Knoth knew the other performers at open mic nights and the people who would come see her queer, femme punk band play backyard shows. When she moved to D.C. with her partner in December, she knew she had to start over. She had to find her way back into a creative scene, to take an active role in forming her identity beyond the corporate world that dominates much of D.C. culture. So she signed up for Flashband. The 13-year-old program, run by music school 7DrumCity, is a launchpad for Washington's hobbyist musicians. Participants enter a lottery for a slot. Winners attend a meet-and-greet event — speed dating, basically, for musicians. Everyone from young teens to retirees leaves as a member of a new band. About a month later, they perform in public. Knoth, 25, sort of knows the people she's taking the stage with tonight. This evening they've met each other's significant others for the first time, and learned what their day jobs are. But she trusts them, if not their penchant for Limp Bizkit. For the past month, they've met up for weekly rehearsals, and Knoth has spent hours in between plucking away in her bedroom. So now, as ticket holders of the sold-out show come pouring into the Atlantis — a grubby venue that holds 450, she feels ready. The bands have names like the Recessionists, Vote for Pedro and Mom's Spaghetti, and the first ones warm up the crowd with interpretations of Myspace-era hits. The third band begins, and the Legends of Limewire members get their cue to sneak backstage. Knoth meets them at the entrance to a yellow-lit hallway. 'Okay,' she mutters to herself, lifting her shoulders up with a deep breath. She climbs the stairs to the green room. A Flashband organizer runs through the checklist: 'Chords, cables, pedals, picks…' Knoth grabs a pair of green sunglasses — part of the band's outfit, a nod to the music-pirating site LimeWire that they're named for — and straps her bass guitar over her crop top. 'I really want eight more bars of cowbell,' one of her bandmates says. They were allotted 15 minutes for their set, and it's tight — they've factored in only 15 seconds for claps. 'They're probably not gonna pull us offstage,' Knoth responds. She talks herself through the set list: 'Take Me Out,' 'Can't Get You Out of My Head,' 'Electric Feel.' 'Let's make it count,' singer Aaron Conrado says. Their hands fall into the circle formed by their bodies and instruments, then shoot into the air. The beer Knoth sipped helped ease her nerves, but some are bubbling back up. Her bandmates are depending on her bass's steady pulse to keep them together. When she takes the stage, though, all she feels is excitement — the ease of being back in a spotlight she finds addictive. She looks out to the crowd, which ravels out to the bar at the far end and up across a balcony. It's at least twice the size of any she's played before. She locks eyes with her partner in the front row, who is wearing a shirt with the logo of the band Knoth had in Memphis. Conrado sings: So if you're lonely You know I'm here waiting for you. I'm just a crosshair I'm just a shot away from you Knoth lets her mind and fingers disconnect. Her body leads the groove. She shakes her wavy bob and shouts backup vocals. She hits every note in her 'Murder on the Dance Floor' solo, and dances as hard as anyone in the crowd. The audience erupts into cheers.
The Guardian
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Tell us how popular culture has prompted you to make a dramatic life change
Whether it's leaving a loveless relationship after watching Sex and the City or a punk band inspiring you to quit drinking, we'd like to hear about your moments of cultural awakening for a column in the Guardian's Saturday magazine. You can tell us how a cultural moment has prompted you to make a major life change by filling in the form below or emailing us on Please include as much detail as possible Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.
Malay Mail
14-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Six arrested over punk band Armpunk Sindicate's vocalist assault at JB skinhead concert, police link motive to past feud
JOHOR BARU, May 14 — Police said today they arrested six men in a series of raids carried out late Monday and yesterday, following an alleged assault against a punk band vocalist after performing at a skinhead concert in City Plaza here last Sunday. Johor Bahru South police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said the police are confident that they can solve the assault case after the incident was widely disseminated via a video footage on social media. 'Based on the video footage, investigators made a report at 1.14am yesterday, before the victim filed a police report at 3pm on the same day at the Ampang police station in Selangor. 'On Monday, police arrested three men, aged 34 to 36, at 11.30pm in Johor Baru and Segamat. Yesterday, police arrested three other men, aged between 28 and 40, in the same districts,' he said in a press statement here. The arrests were part of an ongoing police probe into the incident. Raub said investigators also confiscated six mobile phones belonging to the suspects to assist in investigations. He said initial investigations indicated that the incident was believed to have been triggered at a gymnasium near the City Plaza shopping centre here during a live band performance by Remember 69 Rundown at 10.30pm on Saturday. 'The victim, the vocalist for Armpunk Sindicate from Ampang, Selangor, was attacked by several men using metal trash cans. The cause of the incident is believed to be from an old misunderstanding that occurred between the main suspect and the victim during a music event in Ampang last year,' he said. The band had alleged that the vocalist was assaulted for failing to greet and kiss the hands of older individuals who attended the concert. Raub said the initial three suspects had prior criminal records each and one tested positive for illicit drugs through a screening test. 'The three suspects are now being remanded for four days until Friday for further investigation. Of the remaining three suspects, one currently has a criminal record and the other tested positive for marijuana abuse. All three have been remanded four days until Saturday,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for armed rioting, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for misuse of social media networks and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for introducing drugs into the body. Raub said police are in the midst of completing the investigation papers for the proposed prosecution of all the suspects in court. 'We are also tracking down any other individuals who may be involved in the incident,' he said. In the recent incident, that attracted interest from various musical groups, the victim suffered injuries to his head, face and other parts of his body. He was reported to be receiving treatment as an outpatient at the Ampang Hospital.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vocalist of punk band Armpunk Syndicate bashed by group in JB for failing to kiss hands of older men (VIDEO)
JOHOR BARU, May 12 — The police have reportedly launched an investigation against an alleged assault of a punk band vocalist after he did not kiss the hands of a group of men after performing at a skinhead concert. Malay paper Kosmo! cited Johor Baru South district police chief Asst Comm Raub Selamat saying an investigation paper has been opened under Section 148 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act. 'The police were informed about the incident yesterday and began investigations as soon as a report was lodged. 'We are also urging the victim or any witnesses to come forward and file a police report to assist in the investigation,' he was quoted saying. Section 148 deals with 'possessing weapons or missiles at a riot', while Section 233 is on 'improper use of network facilities'. Yesterday, two one-minute video clips went viral showing a group of six to seven men stopping, dragging, and beating another man. One of the videos also showed a suspect using a metal rubbish bin to mercilessly strike the victim. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Armpunk Sindicate (@ Punk band Armpunk Syndicate claimed that the men attacked its vocalist while he was coming out of the toilet, just because he 'didn't kiss their hands.' 'What kind of culture is taking root in our artistic spaces? Is this what we're promoting in the scene?' They asked on Instagram. The band also claimed that urine was thrown to them while performing on stage. The vocalist, named as Zed, has since sarcastically 'praised' those in the public for not reacting towards the incident. 'Art is not a place for physical conflict. There is no space for bullies in art. Art is a safe space for us to connect and empathise with one another,' he said on the band's Instagram account.
