Helping Save Pitbulls’ Lives Through Hardcore Music in the East Bay
Photo by feralandfab.photography
When we think of hardcore, we typically associate this genre with hard-hitting lyrics fueled byhardcore,
Later into adulthood, Graves would regularly attend shows, join Straightedge Social Clubs, work their vendor tables at bigger festivals and events, and work to build community. Real punk and hardcore shit, reminding one another to take care of each other and pick up your friend or their shoe if they fall in the pit.
Unrelated, she later found herself working at a San Francisco venue merch table, not knowing that her involvement in local rescue would soon skyrocket. A woman walked up to the table asking to buy some items for her dog rescue, sparking the conversation of Graves wanting to take shelter dogs running, helping with their energy, and getting some exercise and socialization. She didn’t know she was sharing this idea with Pali, founder of Rocket Dog Rescue, who loved the idea. Graves learned the ‘ins and outs’ of the rescue, later teaming up with local promoters by tabling for the rescue at many events, collecting raffle prizes and donations with proceeds going towards Rocket Dog Rescue.
Soon, traveling frequently to the East Coast, Graves would discover more people that shared her same mission. She first heard about Hardcore For Pits East courtesy of her friend, Evan, owner of Bully Boys Bakery, HCFPW’s sponsor, and a Southern California-based company that makes high-quality dog treats and love for bullys.
“I [attended] their event last year, and they put me to work. They’ve been [hosting] this event annually for nearly a decade featuring artists such as Judge and Murphy’s Law. The whole community pulls together for these events. "We all share the mission of building community through music and a shared love of high-risk dogs,” states Graves. It was mentioned that after 10 years on the East Coast, they wanted to expand to the West Coast, and the lightbulb turned on. music and
“I knew exactly where I wanted it. 924 Gilman Street has been one of the few surviving all-ages DIY venues. Gilman was and is a safe space where everyone is welcome. Hate and discrimination are not tolerated; they are a 501(c)(3), [and fully] volunteer-operated.” Graves reached out to Head Booker of 924 Gilman, CT, aka Chaotic Tendencies Presents wanting to team up for the event with the response of, “Fuck yeah!” Proceeds going to California Bully Rescue and $5 of each t-shirt sold, designed by mayor_mayo. Will benefit 924 Gilman. Pre-sales for the shirt are available but can be purchased the day of the show.
Photo by feralandfab.photography
When making the decision of which bands to choose, Graves took into consideration the main questions. What is this event trying to achieve, and do the bands align with the event’s mission and goals? “My understanding of hardcore music has always been a simple philosophy. Things are fucked. People will hurt you, and this world will break your heart. When things feel heavy and you feel like you have nowhere to turn, that’s where you find the music that hits just right. And somehow things start to feel a little bit better. Everyone is rushing the stage, mic grabs, and sing-alongs, like being in a room full of friends you’ve never met. Animal rescue and advocacy can be a very dark place. On one hand, you see the worst in people. [Visible or non] abuse, neglect, and cruelty show up in different ways.”
Photo courtesy of Maria Chaos
30-60% of dogs in shelters are labeled pitbulls or pit mixes, yet pit bull-like dogs passed the tests at higher rates conducted by the American Temperament Test Society, a program providing uniform temperament testing for dogs. Shelters are overflowing with pit-bull-like dogs due to lack of accessible veterinary care, overbreeding, neglect, abuse, and neglect to spay and neuter, unfortunately forcing shelters to euthanize “aggressive breeds."
“A common theme in hardcore music is that you’re not always dealt the best hand, but it’s about how you play it,” Graves continued. We can’t change their stories, but we can certainly give them a better ending. We all come from different communities, but we share the belief that we are capable of making an impact.” The facts speak for themselves; upon hearing about the event, it clearly resonated with East Bay residents as local businesses and community members contacted Graves, offering help, including Instagram shares, putting up posters in their storefronts, sponsoring the event, offering raffle prizes, and more. Some of these names include Timeless Coffee (Singer of Sunblind’s coffee roastery and shop) Pirates Press Records, Oakland Guitars, a new 72” TV set donated by a local, and the grand prize of a guitar signed by famed band Hatebreed.
The two day event includes thirty vendors tabling both days, starting off on Saturday, October 24th, at Gilman Brewing for the Art Show, including art for sale, raffle prizes, and acoustic sets by icons Kevin Seconds of 7 Seconds and Russ Rankin of Good Riddance, and best of all, dog adoptions. YES! DOGS! Snuggly, squishy, bulky pitties and bullies of all shapes and sizes ready for their furever home!
Sunday, October 25th, has two stages of 18 bands between 924 Gilman and Gilman Brewing, including blast from the past Santa Cruz favorite BL’AST headlining at 924 Gilman; their first 924 Gilman appearance since the early 1990s and Sissyfit, headlining Gilman Brewing.
First timers at 924 Gilman is egg-punk band CorMae (TX) and the straightedge hardcore bands. Stand Tall and Cross-Checked to join the stages. Newer bands with familiar faces, Sunblind, OG favorites Visual Discrimination and Berthold City, and California favorite Slugger will slug you with sound. Last Minet, founded in the East Coast, now half in the East Bay, will begin warming up the Gilman Brewing stage. Kind of Oxnard, San Francisco's favorite, Discourage, Dislocation of the East Bay, All Hope Lost, self-described as FAST/SLOW/PISSED, 90s Hardcore OG Icons Second Coming, and Central Valley friends, Stay Down play throughout the day on both ‘Gilman’ stages. Tickets can be purchased at the links under the posters; tickets for Sunday, October 25 are good for Gilman locations.
Get your tickets for the Art Show and Gilman Stages Shows today!
Graves’ goals for this event are "to raise awareness. Sometimes it’s not about looking at the world around you. It’s about your block, your neighborhood, and your community. Volunteering is free. It costs a little bit of time. If you can’t, you can advocate, foster, adopt, or donate. I’m just a girl trying to save some dogs. If I can do this, so can you. I never could have imagined doing something like this. I’m not a promoter; I don’t book shows, [but] I am a firm believer that the only way to do something is to do it.” Already thinking ahead to the next event, some dream bands include BANE, Earth Crisis, BOLD, Judge, Floorpunch, and Terror. Graves jokes, “I could go on, but we’d be here all night. Oh, and Chuck Ragan to play a solo set and/or Hot Water Music headline; they aren’t Hardcore, but are beloved by the same community.”
Together, we can help to advocate for these big babies that simply want to be your very best friend! And if you caught the band reference to the album on the poster, “Don't forget the struggle. Don't forget the streets. Don't forget your roots. And don't sell out,” then you yourself deserve a treat.
Photo Courtesy of Angel Graves
You can purchase your tickets using the link as well as prepay your $5 membership card for Gilman. If you aren’t familiar with the membership cards, they are old 924 Gilman traditions that help support the club, and you make a promise that you will respect the space, their rules, yourself, and others.
If you want to donate a piece for the art show or a raffle prize, sponsor the cause, or other event-related questions, reach out at hardcoreforpitswest@gmail.com or directly on Instagram at hardcoreforpitswest!
Grab your tickets for the Art Show! Grab your tickets for both Gilman Stages! See you soon!
