Punk music and its fans are a bit of a rarity in this town. What's even more sparse around here is a live performance of punk music. But punkers craving this novelty can rejoice in the fact that tomorrow night at the Ward Theater is an all ages show not to be missed as the national act One-21 headlines an exclusive "benefit" show with the ghetto-Lansing openers Crock Pot Oatmeal beginning the show.
The "benefit" part of the gig comes across due to a large portion of the show's proceeds going toward the Ward Project, which aims to rebuild the historic Ward Theater complex. The projected cost to renovate the theater exceeds $100,000 according to the show's coordinator Matt Joynt, a Mount Pleasant resident.
Joynt said he wanted to put the show on for no particular reason other than "just for fun."
"Well, I also want to support the Ward Project and the band One-21, too," he said.
He also added that "there is a need to get an all ages underground music scene like this going again around here, for whatever kinds of bands whether it be punk or hardcore or whatever, so that these bands can get the exposure they need."
"There is not a good punk scene around here and people into that type of music will have a good show to go to now," added Crock Pot Oatmeal drummer and Lansing freshman Joel Thiele.
Joynt said he saw the Philidelphia-based One-21 perform a show over the summer at the Cornerstone Fest, a major Christian punk festival in Bushnell, Illinois. He had previously heard the band's CD, on Bulletproof Records, and really liked the style of punk.
Joynt explained the band's musical sound as "an older punk sound, kinda like Minor Threat or Fugazi."
"They also sound kind of like Rancid, too," said Thiele. "They play really fast and crazy music that sticks in your head and makes you want to sing along."
Joynt explained Crock Pot Oatmeal's sound as similar to many of the Fat Wreck Chords recording artists such as NOFX, MxPx, Lagwagon, etc.
"It is really tight and fast poppy punk," he explained.
Thiele described the music that his band plays in a similar way but with the added elements of complexity, which is something that doesn't often occur with the genre's style.
"We try to add more variety and unexpected twists to the music to keep the listeners on their toes," he said. He mentioned that the band also utilizes backing vocals to embellish the songs.
Joynt said that he expects this to be a good show because "it is a really fun place to have concerts."
"It will be kind of different but the combination of bands has a little bit of something for anyone who likes punk," he said of the two different styles of punk music that the contrasting bands will be playing.
Even though both bands are Christian-based in belief, Joynt and Thiele expect a wide variety of people to be part of the audience.
Joynt added, "We are looking for anybody to show up. Both bands are really good regardless of what people's beliefs are."
The show begins at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Ward Theater, S. Main. Admission is $5. For more information and/or advanced tickets, call Matt Joynt at 772-5843.