The setting could not be more appropriate: an old warehouse with a dirt parking lot and a 25-foot ceiling.
Inside the 110-year-old building, which in its lifetime has been a brewery and a textile factory, now lies an assortment of wooden ramps and half pipes.
Since December, the warehouse at 356 Hertel Ave. has been home to Xtreme Wheels skate-park.
This ghost of Buffalo's industrial past has more surprises. Along with the skate park, there is a rock climbing wall and a concert stage.
On Wednesday night, the bands No Choice, The Anarchotics, Planes Mistaken for Stars and Against Me! played to a feisty group of Buffalo's skateboard toting youth.
Waiting in line to enter the park, the lack of age restriction at the venue became apparent.
From the college age down to a few who stepped right out of mom's minivan, an audience divided by 10 years of age remained united in one way; their subculture.
The marks of the subculture include Converse All-Stars, sewn patches on denim and messy different colored heads of hair. Those who don't fit the style of dress still maintain the same attitude.
No Choice was the first band to play. The group from Wales came out with fast paced punk, both lyrically and instrumentally. Even through their thick Welsh accents, it became clear that the group has a strong political motivation.
"When it comes time to vote. I think you should vote and you should do it very carefully," the band's lead vocalist, Gagz, said between songs.
Gagz clarified before the band started their last song:
"If you're against George Bush, you're with us."
Not surprisingly, the political sentiments of the music received loud cheers from the audience.
The next two sets were Buffalo band The Anarchotics and Planes Mistaken for Stars. Both were extremely hard rocking and caused the creation of a circular moving pit in front of the stage.
As headliners Against Me! took the stage at 9 p.m., the audience erupted with applause and crowded towards the stage. Throughout the set, a dedicated group of fans was present. Many chanted along with the lyrics with fists flailing in the air.
Another politically motivated song, "Those Anarcho Punks Are Mysterious," marked the high point of the set's energy.
A recurring patch was seen worn by at least five different people in the crowd, quoting a group called The Exploited. It read, appropriately, "Punk's not dead."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
