The punk-themed concert raised $780 for the Yolo Food Bank
By YUENJO FAN — city@theaggie.org
On Saturday, Nov. 16, Sudwerk Brewing Co. hosted its annual Punksgiving benefit concert in support of the Yolo Food Bank. As Thanksgiving neared, the show featured the bands Cowboys After Dark, Playground Hooligans, Bass Feens and Wet Wreckless to commemorate the punk genre, alongside other genres of rock, in solidarity with the local food bank.
Evan Daly, a Davis local and organizer of Punksgiving, gave insight into the importance of punk rock as a genre.
“Punk rock is all about self-expression and resistance against the establishment and dominant culture that is constantly seeking to oppress us and rob us of our individuality, of our personal cultures and everything that makes us individual and free in this world,” Daly said.
A musician since his youth, Daly is no stranger to helping boost the Davis music scene. For over a decade, he has been performing shows and fundraisers in the city. For Daly, music is crucial for a sense of togetherness in Davis.
“We need to constantly be gathering our communities, coming together, supporting each other because we are all we have,” Daly said. “And that’s what punk rock is all about. It’s about unity. It’s about community. To raise money for the food bank, that is totally right in line with punk rock values. For me, it was amazing.”
As Daly manned the sound system while concert-goers vibed and headbanged, punk’s impact was on full display. An elderly couple danced to a cover of My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers,” and a young couple kissed. A child, perched on the shoulders of his father, smiled at the sound of drum and guitar. A flier with a QR code taped to the wall read: “Make a donation to the Yolo Food Bank! Happy Punksgiving!”
Playing guitar and wearing all black with a red tie, Spencer Scruggs, the lead man of Playground Hooligans, had an aesthetic reminiscent of punk legend Billie Joe Armstrong. Originally from Virginia, Scruggs’ connection with punk runs deep.
“I’m clearly influenced from Green Day, Blink-182, Third Eye Blind, etc.,” Scruggs said. “I’m just happy to be up here with my buddies doing what I love, and that’s all that we really care about. It’s about the brotherhood.”
The band, which originated in Sacramento, also consisted of bassist Jonathan Williamson and drummer Roman Anderson. Their performances ranged from originals to covers of Green Day’s “Basket Case” and “Brain Stew.”
“There’s a really strong sense of community with art especially,” Anderson said. “Everyone here’s hungry to learn, very social, [and there’s] very nice people in Davis […] I’m very humbled that there was such a good turnout tonight. Hopefully we raised a bunch of money and feed all the people. And it’s really great ’cause, especially around this time, you got to be thankful for everyone. Thank all your loved ones and spread it to the community — that’s why we’re all here.”
For punk band Bass Feens —- who performed their original songs such as “Norway” and “In the Air” — they are no stranger to the sense of togetherness that Punksgiving brings. Members Rex Laylo and Chris Fuss have now played together at the show for three years in a row. Laylo, originally from Florida, started off making EDM and rap music before being introduced to the guitar which ultimately led him to punk.
“[Chris] does Punksgiving every year, and I was like, ‘Hey, let me play,’” Laylo said. “And at that time, I didn’t even have a drummer, it was just me doing guitar. And [now] this is our third Punksgiving as a band, and it’s pretty good.”
As for Fuss, Bass Feen’s music represents punk at its finest.
“We’re kind of going against the culture of Davis,” Fuss said. “Kind of going against the grain. I feel like some people get attracted to that because it’s different from what they see every day.”
Yet with all of this festivity, Daly further explained how Punksgiving was only possible with the help of Sudwerk Brewing’s generosity.
“This town is starved for live music venues,” Daly stated. “The city government and the culture at large in Davis, from homeowners and the University, has largely been unsupportive of local live music and the idea and advent of having live music here in general. So Sudwerk is doing great work in supporting local live music and having a venue for us to play here in this town because it’s been lacking for a very long time.”
Punksgiving raised $780 for the Yolo Food Bank with special thanks to Sudwerk Brewing, Evan Daly and all of the performing bands and attendees. The benefit concert is held every November at Sudwerk Brewing Co. to raise money for local causes. Donations to the Yolo Food Bank and more information on how to support them can be found on their website.
Written By Yuenjo Fan — city@theaggie.org
