Burnt Ramen: show review...of sorts
I went to Burnt Ramen in Richmond. Burnt Ramen reminds me a lot of 924 Gilman circa 1991. I am not a big fan of that place.
It is in a poor neighborhood which serves to keep away the more normal weekender kids that all go to Gilman these days, but it is also packed full of wasted teenagers smoking cigarettes that incidentally are all probably banned from Gilman.
I went to see Bad Reaction and Broken Needle. Both great bands full of great dudes. However, the bands are pretty much secondary to this "review." Just as the bands are most likely secondary to getting drunk for the Burnt Ramen crowd.
I mean- I love punk and I am all for kids not buying into what mainstream society feeds us, but what about not buying into the bullshit trap that punk equals nihilistic hedonism?
Anyway...
It only took 1 song for me to get beer spilled on me. It also only took 1 song for my lungs to be overcome by cigarette smoke (I don't miss the days of being sick from second-hand smoke at every show). It wasn't much more than 1 song when the entire floor was covered in beer. Unlike me, those kids had no problem going off on a slick surface.
Some tiny drunk girl threw an empty beercan at BenEdge's head during the Broken Needle set. I shoved her and Ben said he wanted to fight whoever threw it but all we got out of her was "that's what you get at Burnt Ramen."
By the time Burnt Ramen heroes, Warkrime, were getting ready to take the stage, the police were rolling by deep. Everyone was forced inside. Inside, 2 completely wasted teenage girls were rolling on the floor making out. Very sketchy. I was more than uncomfortable with all these young (and not-so-young boys) enthralled by the girl-on-girl action. Sure they seemed (somewhat) aware of what they were doing but I don't think they were aware of the situation they were potentially creating. Another girl threw beer on the 2 but they kept at it. They attracted a fair amount of attention. I introduced myself to another young girl who seemed to know the 2 on the ground. Her name was Dharma (I think) and I told her to make sure the 2 knew what they were doing, watch out for them, and if the situation needed any help to not hesitate to get me. She said she was on it.
Warkrime's guitar player finally showed up as his band waited on stage for him. Apparently he was playing with his other band and this was his lst show with Warkrime. Before I knew what was going on, the obnoxious singer, Brace, punched the guitar player and it was like a full-on brawl.
As this was happening, the pigs returned and were at the door. Something was going on. If the Warkrime brawl wasn't gonna end the show, the pigs sure were. Apparently someone broke some neighbors' windows and the police were looking for him.
Outside, Warkrime's guitar player apparently was going off on Jews just to compliment his awesome night.
The police closure also put an end to the 2 makeout girls whose clothes were torn (from eachother) and filthy from that floor.
Burnt Ramen may not be having shows again for a while. Fine with me.
It is in a poor neighborhood which serves to keep away the more normal weekender kids that all go to Gilman these days, but it is also packed full of wasted teenagers smoking cigarettes that incidentally are all probably banned from Gilman.
I went to see Bad Reaction and Broken Needle. Both great bands full of great dudes. However, the bands are pretty much secondary to this "review." Just as the bands are most likely secondary to getting drunk for the Burnt Ramen crowd.
I mean- I love punk and I am all for kids not buying into what mainstream society feeds us, but what about not buying into the bullshit trap that punk equals nihilistic hedonism?
Anyway...
It only took 1 song for me to get beer spilled on me. It also only took 1 song for my lungs to be overcome by cigarette smoke (I don't miss the days of being sick from second-hand smoke at every show). It wasn't much more than 1 song when the entire floor was covered in beer. Unlike me, those kids had no problem going off on a slick surface.
Some tiny drunk girl threw an empty beercan at BenEdge's head during the Broken Needle set. I shoved her and Ben said he wanted to fight whoever threw it but all we got out of her was "that's what you get at Burnt Ramen."
By the time Burnt Ramen heroes, Warkrime, were getting ready to take the stage, the police were rolling by deep. Everyone was forced inside. Inside, 2 completely wasted teenage girls were rolling on the floor making out. Very sketchy. I was more than uncomfortable with all these young (and not-so-young boys) enthralled by the girl-on-girl action. Sure they seemed (somewhat) aware of what they were doing but I don't think they were aware of the situation they were potentially creating. Another girl threw beer on the 2 but they kept at it. They attracted a fair amount of attention. I introduced myself to another young girl who seemed to know the 2 on the ground. Her name was Dharma (I think) and I told her to make sure the 2 knew what they were doing, watch out for them, and if the situation needed any help to not hesitate to get me. She said she was on it.
Warkrime's guitar player finally showed up as his band waited on stage for him. Apparently he was playing with his other band and this was his lst show with Warkrime. Before I knew what was going on, the obnoxious singer, Brace, punched the guitar player and it was like a full-on brawl.
As this was happening, the pigs returned and were at the door. Something was going on. If the Warkrime brawl wasn't gonna end the show, the pigs sure were. Apparently someone broke some neighbors' windows and the police were looking for him.
Outside, Warkrime's guitar player apparently was going off on Jews just to compliment his awesome night.
The police closure also put an end to the 2 makeout girls whose clothes were torn (from eachother) and filthy from that floor.
Burnt Ramen may not be having shows again for a while. Fine with me.
posted by shane at 8:46 PM
29 Comments:
Punk rules man, don't be scared of it.
-Max from Warkrime
PS: I agree with you about smoking. No one in warkrime does it. That shit hella sucks.
did you go to burnt ramen to critisize it? hahah if you know what you're getting into and you're not down with it, why go?
punk rulez
You're a complete idiot... that's something punks are about, but everyone is different... whether it's a ghetto scene, some faggy rich-boy floor-punch scene or a punk scene... everyone doesn't think the same... but the actions created by the majority are surely what we're about... I think this article is just a third person "observant" perspective... but the bullshit criticism you display is probably why punk's don't like what you write or YOU for that matter.
Also, Max is right... Smoking is lame but as I said... Why criticize our scene? go to a rave and criticize guys for fucking each-other on the floor or go to a casino and write an article on how obnoxious the slap machines are and how everyone smokes... You asshole, you're just scared.
Burnt Ramen is possibly the greatest place to have shows. All that you said in your article is indicative of Ramen's superiority over other clubs. The fact that you didn't like it is precisly the reaction the kids in the scene want to get, they want to keep out the squares. Its our own place where, unlike other clubs, there are no rules and your free to express yourself.
i know those make-out girls. they piss me off. theyre the type that do it just for the attention, because they cant get it any other way.
Dude you are a whiny bitch. I mean seriously. Burnt Ramen rules and everyone in Warkrime is a jew. Go back to gilman and your Fugazi records. You're right smoking gets obnoxious but you're holier than thou bullshit reveals a person to afraid to accept that punk is not as safe and clean as the college crowd would like it to be.
You-"Oh man, punk used to be so much cooler back in the day. Remember F.Y.P. man those dudes were cool. Oh well back to my white indie psuedo-hip-hop. What do you mean? Dude I saw Sick of it All back in the day dude, fuck you!"
The Rest of the World - "Get over it, pansy."
as someone that works at gilman, i can say that most of the kids that go to burnt ramen are NOT 86ed. most likely they aren't at gilman because there is a different show at burnt ramen or haz mat or warm water cove or some other punk house.
and warkrime is the shit. i love those guys.
there was no brawl, burnt ramen rules pussy
Haha, the guy who wrote this article is a moron. What's wrong? You're offended by the smell of beer? Wussy. In fact, I hope you just stay hanging out at "safe" little venues like Gilman. By the way, there was no "full-on" brawl you idiot. It was just a few punches. Big deal. You sound like you've never been to a punk show. Also, what do you know about Ramen or the bay area punk scene? Plenty of great bands have been through Ramen. You're a joke. So is your stupid blog. Go impale yourself.
Someone spilled beer on my new striped shirt that night. I too, was fairly upset.
first,i'm glad i didn't see you shove that girl because you would have gotten your face kicked in (there's your burnt ramen attitude for you, welcome to richmond yuppie)you talk shit about kids smoking and drinking yet you shove a girl? nice set of morals.second of all don't come back, we don't need you or your reviews. john the baker said it best "burnt ramen, an unsafe place for all ages" i'll make sure to throw more beer and smoke huge cigars next time i go just to upset and weed out people like you.
-scotty jizz
HAHAHA. I'm all about what Scotty Jizz had to say. Right on dude. And as for YOU...dude there's not much more that i can say. I think the kids of the scene have spoken. u suck. BIG TIME! please dont EVER return. if u do and someone figures out who u are u'll more than likely get the beating of a lifetime for being an ignorant piece of shit wandering into OUR club and crying about getting beer on you. oh boo fucking hoo. go cry to ur rich mommy & daddy. im sure they'll understand ur misery. after all they did provide you with such a sheltered up bringing. can U imagine??? CHEAP beer on ur favorite new abercrombie manufactured "vintage" acdc t shirt. it was probably malt liquor TOO...WAH!!!! go suck a dick u emo fag. ur NOT welcome. and for future reference, do ur homework BEFORE u go exploring something u know nothing about. (remember the movie Hostel?) it's a dangerous world. ur just lucky u didnt get ur tires slashed, or car jacked, or beaten by locals who call that so-called "ghetto" as u put it HOME, cuz ur dumb ass was wandering around in their territory. DAMN!!!! the multitude of stupidity some people possess is astounding!
"It is in a poor neighborhood which serves to keep away the more normal weekender kids that all go to Gilman these days, but it is also packed full of wasted teenagers smoking cigarettes that incidentally are all probably banned from Gilman."
This quote which you wrote in your article clearly shows your ignorance. John the Baker has been involved with the bay area punk scene for a while now and is friends with many throughout the area. As far as I know, nobody that I know from the scene is banned from Gilman and that is definately not Ramen's purpose. Ramen is a place for people that appreciate their local scene very much. I mean, sure, we may go to Gilman from time to time to see a band we like, but Ramen has much more of a real punk atmosphere. I'm sure you might not like the smell of cigarettes or beer-but, it is after all, a punk venue. Deal with it, pussy.
You make little to no sense whatsoever in your uninformed babbling, you yuppie twat.
-Dave
you like gilman so much fukin much, stay there with the rest of the assholes and their bullshit security. we didn't ask you to come and criticize the best venue we've ever had. stay the fuk out of our scene, you don't see us in your bullshit scene complaining that the guy in the corner just isn't emo enough.
You're a pathetic ass weenie "Shane Danger". If you cant handle a little spilt beer and smoke then you have no place going to real punk shows, because even straight edge friends of mine can handle it and get along with everyone, and not have to be cry babies about it. You make yourself sound like even more of an idiot talking about it being in a "poor neighborhood". Do most punk shows you go to take place in upscale suburban all white neighborhoods? Actually they probably do you fucking poseur. You talk about how it is dangerous and all this, yet you're pushing little girls around. Pathetic... Don't come back bitch. Stick to emo and pop punk shows sucker.
and one last thing...
SBFU RULES, OK! =)
i can only assume you are from LA
since the only people who heard pat's comment about jews (in reference to max and brace only) was the bands from LA and myself....so go back to LA and leave us the fuck alone
It's funny how you have so much hate mail after this.
I'd just like to say how fucking ridiculous all of these people who are saying they love ramen so much are, because breaking windows outside and causing a big mess is what you do to keep an already "pending-closure" venue around. Annoying.
To the moron who wrote above this. Uh, news flash retard- we didn't break anything. It was one drunk person. Not everyone inside Ramen. Get your facts straight you fucking idiot.
-Dave
If one person breaks something outside the club the blame will be put on everyone there. thats how thousands of "punk" clubs have been shut down for the last 30 years. Burnt Ramen is the worst place ever. I'd much rather drink tea in my yuppie cafe and listen to bad brains on my ipod. hillbilly redneck punk is totally weak. okie mother fuckers. you guys cant get to gilman cause you dont have shit you poor mother fuckers. The strong survive you redneck fucks
Shane isn't from LA, but I am. Wanna make something of it? I've been a good friend of his for 10 years, and he is for real. He's been going to punk shows since the late 80s, and has been in the bay area for a decade now. True he whines about cigarette smoke too much, but he does make a good point about kids buying into the bullshit that hedonistic nihilism equals punk. I don't think this has to be the case. My opinion is that the "rich-boy floor-punch" scene SUCKS. I've been playing in bands for over seven years straight, and I have felt increasingly alienated from that clean cut straight edge scene, and I am glad to know that there are so many great true hardcore punk bands coming out right now in California (Strung Up, Annihilation Time, Bad Antics, Rabies, and Tipper's Gore to name a few), and a scene with venues to support these bands. John The Baker is a good guy and tries his hardest to keep the club from being shut down for the 15th time. But look at what he's up against. Kids breaking car windows and attracting police attention, bands getting shit hurled at them, fights, and anti-Semetic remarks getting thrown around like it's fucking 1933 Germany. I absolutely agree that Ramen isn't for everyone, and probably not for Shane, but it won't be for anyone if it gets shut down again because of stupidity. Punk rules, indeed.
Much respect,
- Ben Edge
You faggot poser! You don't know shit about true punk you rich faggot abercrombie poser! You probably have rich parents, live in LA, and listen to emo, you fag! Burnt Ramen rules!
Punk is all about using the most ignorant and biggoted remarks possible, all the while never questioning who gets rich off of 'true punks' buying into alcohol and cigarettes.
We need a venue to stay open so that we have have true punk shows around - I mean, how better serve the need for young poseurs trying to reenact the perceived nihilism of the Germs and Pistols than to cater top NEW fucking ignorant, biggoted dick heads! Thanks Burnt Ramen for your fucking service to the community! Fucking philanthropists.
Are you the dude from Gather?
- Ben Edge
I figured I would respond on the off chance any of you check back.
First off, I am amazed you all found my blog! Thank you for all the great comments. I am glad I am worth the time and energy.
Someone asked why I criticized Burnt Ramen and not a rave. Probably because I consider Burnt Ramen, 924 Gilman, punk/HC, etc as my peers and my community. Whereas not many fuckin ravers check on my blog.
I ain't the only one with these opinions.
Interesting that so many of the comments called me “fag”, “bitch”, and “pussy.” I guess disliking cigarettes and beer is not ok whereas being homophobic or sexist is probably fine, huh?
As for shoving the girl. She deserved it. To be honest, I don’t think she cared too much.
A lot of you seem to be under the impression that I live in the wealthy suburbs with my parents or some shit. Haha I ain’t gonna try and pull punk credentials, but that is so fuckin far from the truth it is laughable. I live in Oakland and been going to shows literally since before some of you were born. Don’t accuse me of being “afraid” of your shit. Don’t try to tell me about a “dangerous world” or the ghetto.
The only thing I would take back is writing that I am fine with Burnt Ramen closing. That ain't true. I want the club to keep having shows.
If the attributes I described in my “review” are truly indicative of the Burnt Ramen scene as was confirmed by at least one comment, that’s fine. When you all are interested in a real scene/community or making punk a real threat then perhaps Burnt Ramen won’t get closed down every other show.
Big ups to everyone who signed their name especially Max. Fuck anonymous internet bullshit. Fuck internet beef period!
To the kid who posted at 2:23pm: Talkin like that, you shoulda signed your name. Be careful making promises like you did.
Ya, just like Gilman circa ’91. I had to put up with this same attitude then and it was A LOT more threatening. This don’t phase me. I will still be here long after most of you.
Thinking punk equals just getting wasted has been played since 1979.
Maybe our music is less urgent - we’re rehashing your old shit. but at least we’re moving forward - leaving your shadiness behind. you can say we are uptight - and have a fictitious punk rule book. i’ll be damned if i long for days - where sketchy fucks are jumping off of speaker cabinets. while wearing wrestling masks - with swastikas on them. any time I get a taste - of your golden olden days. it gets punched out of my mouth - by some dodgy fuck in the pit. i have no desire to go back to days of constant violence, destroyed venues, and lack of understanding
it is insane to me how many homophobic remarks were made here.
making anti-semetic and homophobic (pussy, fag etc) remarks only make you all look half witted, stupid, and ignorant.
i know beer and cigarettes make you look cool but i cant imagine ignorance ever being the cool "in" thing.
Hey this is in response to what Shane Dagger and some of his supporters said. Hopefully you guys read it. First of all, I can't speak for everyone in the burnt ramen scene, but as far Warkrime goes none of us believe that punk = nihilism or getting wasted. Me and the drummer both are politically anarchist. The drummer is sxe (his favorite band is vegan Reich) and both me and the singer have gone long period in our involvement in the scene (it was about a year for me) without getting wasted ourselves. So I think we have some understanding of what it is to be the sober guy at shows, and I know it was frustrating at times for me. As I already said no one in warkrime smokes (cigarettes or weed) and I have that every show my clothes and hair reek from cigarettes. As far as punk equaling nihilism, we are familiar with the actual philosophy of nihilism, and find some parallels with what punk means to us. However as far as punk meaning "not caring about anything" I passed that stage when I was like 16.
That being said, punk also does not mean something safe, progressive or positive. To me punk is visceral, anger from the gut, and honest. That means its not always going to be pretty or intelligent. And to respond to those people saying this attitude is rehashing form the past ("Thinking punk equals just getting wasted has been played since 1979") I can cite countless examples of band from the past pushing a more "positive" or "political" strand of punk as well. Look at Minor Threat and later the revolution summer, or crass and the UK peace punk or Youth Brigade and BYO or Youth of Today. Some of these are my favorites bands. But to say one kind of punk is new and fresh and another is rehashing the past is pretty dishonest. Face it - its 2007, punk is 30 years old, we're all acting out an anachronistic fantasy at this point. So stop taking yourself so seriously. You're not saving the world; you're too late.
As far as Pat (the guitarist of warkrime) breaking a window or saying anti-Semitic things, obviously no one supports that. He was kicked out of the band that night, and I'm Jewish so I am personally insulted by his comments. Also, I have been going to Burnt Ramen for 7 years, I'm angrier about any actions that threaten its existence than anyone else.
About the un-PC (I hate to use the word PC cause it was made up by republicans, but it'll have to suffice) language, I don't have a problem with it even though I personally don't use it on this kind of forum. I think the definitions of what is "offensive" in punk are pretty arbitrary. For instance, recently a punk was chewing me out for saying "fag." When I responded that it was offensive to me that he ate meat and wore leather, and mentioned that he was drinking a Coors who give money to the republican party who are way more homophobic then I am (cause I'm not at all), his response was, "but that’s different." I used to be a political punk but it was this kind of blatant hypocrisy and holier than thouism that drove me to the camp Warkrime is in right now.
I could go on forever, but I'll stop here. Yeah it might be easy to dismiss all the people you've angered as drunk nihilistic idiots who don't care about anything, but to me their responses show precisely the opposite. They care deeply about punk (whatever that means to them) and Burnt Ramen, and don't need another scolding authority figure to show them the "right" way.
-Max from Warkrime
PS: To Ben Edge, LA sucks - why and where do you think hardcore punk started? It wasn't cause those kids were happy they were living there.
-Max from Warkrime
my response:
HERE
The most entertaining part of all these responses is reading all the reactions that include critical descriptions of WHO you are from strangers who think they've got you pegged (and probably reread their own entry repeatedly with a big smile before telling all their friends about how they totally called you out [online]) because they are all so wrong and off the mark. I'm glad you took a little time to correct them.
The "pussy,fag,twat" language that permeates these posts is fucking riDICulous. Sometimes I forget that people actually think and say shit like that, and when I'm reminded, it also reminds me how much I love all those in the community who are intolerant of that bullshit.
Aly
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