Welcome to Before You Were Punk, an interview feature here on Punks in Vegas where we ask your favorite musicians and music biz aficionados one simple question: what made you the music fan you are today?
This installment comes from Mac Miller, the vocalist for Agoura Hills, CA’s The Sheds. Find out how he came out of 2004’s Warped Tour a very different kind of music fan.
I was first exposed to the world of punk rock at the ripe age of 11 years old in 2002. I remember my mom’s friend’s daughter (who was roughly 17 at the time) sharing her Blink-182 CDs with me, both Dude Ranch and Enema of the State. I was only allowed to have Dude Ranch because it wasn’t labeled with the evil “Parental Advisory” sticker (it probably should’ve been). Before Blink, the edgiest bands I was interested in were Linkin Park and Hoobastank (both from my hometown). I listened to such bands because it was the only music I had really been exposed to other than the sugary pop artists and boy bands I was into throughout the 90s. I remember being angry and upset about how I was treated in school and loving how intense and aggressive Linkin Park was. I didn’t know what he was singing about, but I felt it all through the music.
Anyways, once I was exposed to Blink-182 I immediately fell in love with other “punk” bands such as New Found Glory and Yellowcard (I didn’t know any better). This led me to the 2004 Vans Warped Tour, my first “punk show.” I was 13 years old and my aunt took me, otherwise by myself, as she basked in “Reverse Day Care” all day. It didn’t matter, I had never been so excited to be somewhere. I ran around all day talking to merchants, checking out bands I’d never heard before, and crowd surfing. I went to Warped Tour to see New Found Glory, Yellowcard, and Sugarcult and I left with Bad Religion, NOFX, Anti-Flag, Rise Against, Strung Out and Bouncing Souls running through my veins. I also fell in love with another band that is one of my favorites to this day – Taking Back Sunday. They ended up being my second concert, but that’s another story.
I HAD to learn every last thing about those bands I ended up seeing and overnight I had Epitaph and Fat Wreck’s discography. I was totally obsessed with punk rock and all of its sub-genres. I am an avid fan of hardcore, emo, some screamo, and somewhere down the line I got into ska (about a decade too late).
I don’t think of punk rock as only a form of music anymore. It’s not even really a lifestyle. I don’t know how to describe it or classify it, but when you’re involved you can feel what it is and its power. It’s the biggest thing I can think of – of course not in terms of popularity, but it brings the most unlikely people together. It can give people hope and something to love, even if they have nothing.
It truly blows my mind that if I had never picked up Dude Ranch my life would be DRASTICALLY different. I would probably have done better in school, would be in my third year of college and wouldn’t have started my stupid band ever. However, I also would have never met some of my best friends, wouldn’t be as close with my family, and wouldn’t have had any of the incredible opportunities I have had touring the U.S., Canada, and Europe. I wouldn’t change any of the decisions I’ve made. I love punk rock and it loves me too. Is punk rock my religion? I definitely believe in it.
-Though we’ve begged, The Sheds don’t currently have any shows scheduled in Vegas. We’ll let you know as soon as we’ve worn them down, and in the meantime, you can check out their record …And Now for Something Completely Different on their bandcamp page.
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