Living in Gainesville FL, also known as The Swamp, can be considered a bombardment of fraternities and sororities, but nestled away from midtown-in downtown, lies the comfort of guitar shreds, cheap beer, and a friendly music-induced atmosphere of punk vibes. Some of the local bands- Insignificant Other, GUTS, and Post Teens all contribute to the punk pool of Gainesville. Besides the local shows, an abundance of bands flood the scene, and information on tours can be found on Punknews.org.
If you’re looking for guitar shredding, pumped-up crowds of people going passionately-crazy, then the punk scene might be your calling. Last year at FEST14, a music event that sponsors a weekend festival of punk-rock in Gainesville, brought out the best of the community: Modern Baseball, The Hotelier, Foxing, and more. The best part of this scene is not just the music- it’s the community. Everyone is connected through the music, excited, and at the shows for the same reason, which is to have a good time. Bring your friends and acquaintances new or old, regardless it is always an experience worth sharing.
Beware the heart of the enthusiasm, otherwise known as- the pit. The pit is a place of total enthusiasm, passion, and madness for punk. People are jamming out to the band in a physical manner that often leads to some sucker getting knocked down, hit in the face, or leaving with a bloody eye- the latter was me at The Fidlar show last year in Gainesville. The safety zone is outside the pit, where fans can appreciate the music in a less physical way.
For those unaware of the punk scene, it’s history, or leading activists, Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain sheds light on the topic. Reading a book is helpful, but the best way to appreciate and learn about this scene is to simply go to a show. It can be a big event or a local show- it doesn’t matter. Get yourselff out there at the venue, talk to people, and immerse yourself in a passionate culture that enjoys good music.
WC: 354
spacekipz 
Hi Mike,
I’ve also been a part of the punk scene for years; it’s a huge part of the reason why my punk band and I moved here last year. All of the stories of former successes out of Gainesville, i.e. Against Me!, Hot Water Music, Less Than Jake, etc., seemed to outweigh any other musical hub in Florida. We’ve found it to be a very cool and accepting community. Reading your post was a little surreal, as I was at FEST 14 as well as the FIDLAR show you mentioned. What’s even crazier is that I also left with a pretty painful head injury!
Anyway, our band (Clarity)’s music can be found here for totally free if you’re at all interested. If not, that’s totally cool too:
claritylives.bandcamp.com
We’re playing High Dive with garage punkers Jacuzzi Boys this weekend if you want to come out and have a few beers!
Thanks for your post, see ya in the pit.
-Sam
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I will check out the band! Thanks 🙂
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Nice post! Your paragraph about the pit was hilariously accurate. I haven’t actually participated in the craziness that is the pit at a concert, but I have seen it. Punk concerts are awesome.
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Great post! I’ve never been to a Punk Concert, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I enjoy Punk music, mostly whatever Pandora springs into my speakers, but I would probably be a safety zone person (lol). Can’t wait for summer, maybe I’ll go to a punk concert 😉 Any suggestions?
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