Draft: How to be Pop-Punk in Buffalo, NY

Pop-Punk is a subgenre of the alternative music scene that has held audiences captive since the early 2000s. Starting with bands such as Blink 182, then to bands like Fall Out Boy, and into today with bands such as State Champs, it is a genre that has constantly evolved while also managing to stay the same. You may ask, how does one fit into this friend-loving, hometown-hating scene that is pop-punk, especially in a town filled with so much pride (Buffalo, NY), but here are a few steps on how to succeed in doing so.

1. Like the bands! Especially the local ones! Buffalo, NY is a relatively well-known city in America and it is frequently referenced by many artists (see: Aaron West & The Roaring Twenties, Such Gold) You should always support the nationally touring bands, they travel to Buffalo from all over the country, and they need your support to keep going. However, it’s even better to support the local acts so they can get off the ground and become the next big national touring act. Local pop-punk bands include, but are not limited to: Pentimento, Head North, The Traditional, Well Kept Things, Super American, I Can See Mountains
2. Support the local venues/promoters! Go. To. Every. Show. You. Can. Attend. If you don’t go, the scene will die off and that would be the end of that. There are so many cool venues in the greater Buffalo area that are perfect for pop-punk shows. Some of those venues include (but again, are not limited to): Town Ballroom, the Waiting Room & the Studio at Waiting Room, and Sugar City. If not, suffer through the loss of many, many shows (see: closing of Club Infinity & Xtreme Wheels in 2013)
3. Collect Records! If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past 2 years or so, you’d already know that collecting vinyl records is hip again. It’s a great way for bands to make money off their music again, as well as being a great collector’s piece for die-hard fans. While you can find a lot of the popular records of today at your nearest Urban Outfitters or Hot Topic, there are some great local shops too. These shops, Record Theatre and Black Dots to name a few, also carry rare and used vinyl as well. Record collecting is a very important step in your achievement of pop-punk status.
4. Eat Pizza (and other things too!) Honestly, what food is more associated with pop-punk than pizza? Even though no one is really sure where this started, it is the staple food for the genre. Buffalo is home to some of the best pizza places in the country. You can stop and get your pop-punk pizza fix at any pizza shop in the area while still maintaining your cred. If you decide to skip the pizza, Mighty Taco is a good substitute.
5. Hate (while also simultaneously love) Your Hometown! In any generic pop-punk song you will hear about at least one of three things: girls, friends, and hating your town. Pop-punk is all about getting out of your hometown and hating it for all that its worth. In Buffalo, however, there is a different philosophy: love it with all that you got. People from Buffalo love their hometown, and despite most bands talking about their hatred for their towns, this is a thing Buffalonians just can’t hang with. So go ahead and sing the lyrics, but deep down, Buffalonians could never hate their town.

Tips on being Pop-Punk in Buffalo:

•  Despite the fact that you are going to get hot and sweaty at the show, at least one item of outerwear is needed to survive waiting outside in Buffalo. Acceptable choices are (but are not limited to): beanies, flannels, leather jackets, jean jackets, etc.
• Any “pop-punk" outfit should include at least 3 of the following: a beanie, Vans, skinny jeans, band merch, flannel, etc.
• Everyone knows everyone in the scene, so don’t be alarmed when your now-boyfriend happens to be friends with all of your show friends
• People are overly-friendly in Buffalo, get over it. If you think it is weird that the girl behind you in line is talking to you, leave.
• Tattoos are not only accepted, but encouraged.
• Scream the lyrics as loud as you can, and don’t forget to angrily point your finger at the band.