thePULSEHardcore, Punk, and a Social Conscience
Tour set to ‘Take Action’ at the Palladium
By Bobby Hankinson
It’s every artist’s goal to be heard, but the bands slated to appear on the sixth incarnation of the Take Action Tour want fans to walk away with more than ringing in their ears.
“Our mission is creating a better world one voice, one action at a time,” said Louis Posen, head of Hopeless/Sub City records and the founder of the Take Action Tour, which comes to the Palladium April 25 and includes performances by Matchbook Romance, the Early November, Chiodo, and Amber Pacific.
Since 2001, the tour has combined some of the biggest names in punk and hardcore ~ including Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, Thursday, and Hot Water Music ~ with information on suicide crisis counseling. Since its inception, the tour has raised $220,000 for the Kristin Brooks Hope Center (which operates 1-800-SUICIDE and 1-877-YOUTHLINE) by donating 5% of the suggested retail price of the Take Action compilation CD and 10% of gross door receipts for the tour.
“It’s been really great, there’ve been really big crowds responsive to the cause,” said Paul Koehler, drummer for the band Silverstein, currently playing on the first half of the tour. “I really have nothing but positive things to say about the show so far.”
Although Silverstein was only able to participate on the tour until March 29, Koehler said he would be eager to join the show again as it continues to draw bigger crowds and bigger acts.
“It’s growing more and more each year. I would love to come back in a couple years and do it again.”
New Jersey-based band Early November signed on for all of this year’s tour after playing ten days on last year’s run. Guitarist Joe Marro said the band was attracted to the tour’s cause and to the fact that it’s “not just another rock show.”
“[Suicide and depression are] a big problem in the US and the world over, especially with young people and especially with fans of the music scene we’re involved in,” he said. “The fans really seem to identify with it.”
Posen said he agreed the punk/hardcore scene has been particularly receptive to the tour’s message because of the nature of the punk community. “I do believe punk has its roots in activism and taking action for important issues,” he said.
This year, Posen hopes to raise $100,000 on the tour alone and he wants to see fans to leave with real, useful information.
“There’s a stigma attached to mental health,” he said. “No one’s shameful talking about diabetes, the flu, or cancer, but when it comes to depression no one wants to talk about it … I hope fans walk away with knowing there’s a resource out there.”
For more information on the tour, crisis resources, or how to help, visit www.takeactiontour.com.
