Cleveland Skinheads or Just People Who Like to be Dirty?

Last Thursday I went to the Coventry Road Street Fair. When I return to Coventry as a college graduate, I no longer feel sorry for my friends who still haven't bothered getting their GED and still sit at the corner. I really don't understand what they are doing with their lives, other than letting it pass them by. But the friends that I really don't understand are the Cleveland Skinheads.

I've known Chris since he was a freshman in high school. Chris was always looking for somewhere to belong. He found it in heavy metal, which is definitely fine by me because I love that music. But what became increasingly disturbing to me was that he didn't become his own person, he just became a replica of other Coventry kids who had no goals in life, but to sit on the corner and get fucked up.

Back to the street fair. As I walked past the corner, I heard my name being called, and when I turned, I saw Chris. He was in full skinhead gear: wife beater tank, tighter jeans rolled up, suspenders-- for no reason, and a big "C.S." tattooed on his arm: Cleveland Skinheads. Chris came over and gave me a big hug. He reeked like alcohol and sweat. He was being rude and obnoxious to all the strangers that passed by while we were having a conversation about his life, "SWEETHEART!," he yelled across the entire courtyard, "YOUR ASS CRACK IS SHOWING!!!" He tried picking fights with his friends sitting close by and was pretty much doing the drunken shuffle.

If Chris is a skinhead and he is my friend... then that would be an oxymoron. I am Jewish. Skinheads don't like the Jews, in fact, they despise us. They don't like blacks or homosexuals either. But I know for sure that Chris is friends with blacks, homosexuals, and other Jewish people. So what exactly is a skinhead? I believe that the Cleveland Skinheads represent a brotherhood for being poor and dirty, for being drunk and uninvolved with society.

I guess I will just have to accept Chris for who he is: a guy that likes the image of being a nobody, even though he is a somebody... and a guy who just doesn't like to bathe.

Sounds of the Underground

Was the headache, heat, and $37 less in your pocket for a 6 hour concert of hardcore and heavy metal worth it???? The answer, my friend... Yes. Sounds of the Underground is a first-year tour, picking up where Ozzfest is lacking-- smaller venue, re-admittance allowed, appreciative musicians, adoring fans, and something absolutely phenomenal, tables set up where kids can actually buy bands' merchandise for a reasonable price! Sounds of the Underground is filled with both newbies and geezers that know how to rock out. Take 'Gwar' for example: one of the most worthless musicians, but get them onstage, all geared up, and you're in for one of the best novelty acts of all times. They perform with larger than life penises and machines, spraying 'blood' across the audience countless times. As the debauchery reins on, the pit is a sea of red. What other tour this summer will do that for you?

I'll be honest with you, at some points I found myself in a deja vu state, repetition of the usual, "f*ck you! Justice justice! f*ck you!" But with acts like 'Everytime I Die,' 'Norma Jean,' and 'Opeth' changing up the pace, I couldn't help but be satisfied. My personal favorite, Jeffrey of 'Poison the Well,' not only screams, but can ACTUALLY sing!!! Melody was a wonderful treat during this very loud day of chants. At the end of the night, 'Chimaira' stole the 216 spirit-- Cleveland band, Cleveland kids, Cleveland charm.