Last night I went on a field study, of sorts. Rather, I was thrown into a bit of a counter-cultural experience. My friends McCall and Stephanie have a friend who sings in a band. And they invited me, along with a few boys from their stake back home, to attend a concert he was playing in. And so we went, trekking off for a bit of a Friday night adventure.

Did I mention he sings in a hard-core punk band?
And that the gig was in a random house, on a deceptively quiet and dark street in Taylorsville?

Oh yes. This is because we didn't discover such details until we arrived.

Needless to say, it was quite the experience. Let me describe how it went down: walk around people bumming on the lawn. Most are attired in a manner similar to the below (or not attired at all, as with one dude who felt inspired to strip down to his skivvies. Not good.):
(btw, the caption for this picture is as follows: "Ah, the ultimate accessory. Arm candy. Just remember that you don't have to hook up with a person that's all punked out, too. Just because a cute mohawk walks by, it doesn't mean that it's destiny. However, if you do find someone with a creative fashion taste such as your own, suddenly you've got a living breathing doll! It's so much fun to have someone around who will let you slather gel in their hair or craft recycled clothing with."


Through a door, met by wall of B.O. smell. Not breathing, crowd into corner, wait for band to start playing. Band starts playing. Noise ensues. Circle forms. People dance in a very strange manner, unlike anything I have anything hitherto witnessed- a sort of crouching, twitching, headbanging movement. People around the circle push the individuals in the middle around, and occasionally, full-on moshing breaks out. Several of us in the corner nearly get elbowed in the face, or break an ankle tripping over guitar cases stacked against the wall.

We only stayed for 20 minutes to listen to the rest of the set, but, all in all, I found it a highly educational experience. Entertaining, and eye-opening. My Anthro 101 TA always asks us if we've had an Anthropological moment, and now, I have something to share. I have entered in and observed a ritual practice of the Punk culture. I have seen their dress, their dancing, and their music. I have observed their interactions, and relationships- between male friends, couples, female roles, and so on. It was genuinely interesting. I don't think I'll be going back, but I am really quite glad I went. Besides, it was free. So nothing lost. And really, a life experience gained.