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THE SHORT OF IT. JUNNNKTANK.com is a 21st century blog with the heart of a 20th century fanzine OR you can think of us as a rad arts and culture webzine with a Canadian far east coast feel to it. We are completely independent and committed to supporting grassroots efforts throughout Prince Edward Island and beyond. "Connect your head to your heart." THE LONG OF IT. I grew up going to house shows at a rad little space in Charlottetown called The House of Rock. Every few weeks there would be a crusty show with bands I'd never heard of as well as Charlottetown favourites. Everyone would cram into the small living room and for the next few hours we'd come together to celebrate music. The house would rock to its very foundation and I remember many times leaving bloodied and bruised but with a smile on my face. At the end of the night a hat would be passed around and people would give whatever they could to the touring bands. It was the honesty and the sincerity that stood out to me at these shows; it was not only about the music but also about the ideas that were being expressed. There were no booking agents, no rental halls, not even a door price most times. It was the very essence of DIY. The House of Rock died sometime around 2003 and it left a hole in the Charlottetown music community. A few years passed and I was growing tired of the same old fluffy bands coming through with their heavy breakdowns and lack of substance; I was tired booking agents and stories of extravagent ryders for bands who claimed to be punk rock. I was sick of the over priced rental halls and the high guarantees for the bands which forced the kids who were putting on the shows to raise the door prices. I wanted Charlottetown to be better; I wanted things to be different. So, I opened the phone book and began looking for alternatives. I found just what I was looking for in a little independent bookstore downtown Charlottetown called The Reading Well. Things snowballed from there; soon I was putting on shows at a rad record store in Charlottetown called Back Alley Music; most times with bands that were way too loud for the little store. From there awesome people started lending me their living rooms and basements 306, The Hutch, The Robot House, JFK, and the mighty Lyon's House among others. These spaces created an undeniable DIY spirit within Charlottetown that had sorely been lacking. It was the kids themselves who came out and supported the bands and danced and raised money when the cops would shut us down for questionable reasons. It was the kids who would lend a hand and help put up posters or bring their friends along. It was the kids started bands and put on their own shows and did things their own way. We did it together and from the heart, and we'll continue to do it. I'm proud to call Prince Edward Island my home.
STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS.
BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR / GET IN TOUCH: MATT (AT) JUNNNKTANK.COM We are always looking for new contributors. If you have an idea please do get in touch. We're always looking for show photos, record reviews, band interviews, editorials and whatever else you can think of. Also, if you're in a band and want your stuff reviewed send us an email and we'll see what we can do. We may not review everything, but we'll certainly give it a listen. EMAIL: MATT AT JUNNNKTANK.COM RAD PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. |
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