Gen-X goodwill They've always felt misrepresented by the term "Generation X," a convenient yet inadequate label dreamed up to catalog and market an entire generation. Their supposed selfish and cynical ways marked them as the generation that cared little about anything and did nothing. But in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks, conscientious 20- and 30-somethings were afforded the opportunity to change the perception of young Americans as mere "slackers."
Young people contribute
time for benefit concertsBy Shawn 'Speedy' Lopes
slopes@starbulletin.comAmong the first to take up the challenge locally were dedicated members of the Honolulu subculture, who within minutes of learning of the attacks were already networking across the Internet with plans of fund-raising concerts to aid relief efforts. Dates will be announced next week.
"Before, I think we took a lot of things for granted," admits Colleen Mau, who at 23 is counted among Generation X's tail-enders. "But I think (the attack) is a wake-up call for our generation to say 'We need to do something' and to do our part."
Last Tuesday, Mau enlisted the help of fellow promoter Jason Miller, and the two began plans to contribute to the relief efforts on the East Coast with a charity concert. "I hope what happened last Tuesday will help unify the scene even more," she adds.
True, punk rock and rock 'n' roll in general has been and always will be music of rebellion. But it can also be music which rebels against long-standing and unfounded stereotypes which portray young Americans as spoiled, callous and uncaring. If there was one lesson learned from the Baby Boomers who came before them, it was that popular music has the power to galvanize the masses. Almost immediately, Miller and Mau secured commitments from nearly 20 bands, making it nearly impossible to fit everyone onto one bill. They now believe it will take several benefit shows to accommodate the flood of interested bands.
"On one hand it seems like so little can be done but we don't want to do nothing; we want to contribute," explains the 30-year-old Miller, whose events featuring local punk and garage bands for years have helped sustain an unusually close-knit underground community. Last Tuesday's attack even put his shows with the Washington, D.C.- based band The Thumbs in limbo, although it now looks as if the concerts will go on as planned.
"People everywhere are being inconvenienced, but to most of us, even those who have booked flights, it's not that big a deal when you think about it. There's not much we can do about the (airline) situation. If we have to work around it, people will understand."
Within days, word of Miller's efforts had already reached DJ G-Spot, who although involved in the unrelated but equally vital DJ scene, discussed the possibility of joining forces with Miller for a joint fund-raiser. "I thought that was very admirable of him to do a benefit show," says G. "There are a bunch of other people who are doing it too. It's affected us all and we just want to give back. It's really nothing to devote my time to a cause like this."
Contributing to worthwhile efforts has always been essential for the civic-minded DJ, who for more than a half-decade has put on a number of Hawaii raves for positive causes. He can produce upon request a number of thank-you letters from various organizations like the American Red Cross and the Boys and Girls Club of Honolulu who are grateful for his beneficence.
"Bringing in money is what we promoters do best," he says. "Why not turn it into something positive?"
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