BOOKS ROCK
The San Antonio Public Library turns up the volume with free punk show
Sacred Games playing a Mootual Aid event.
In an era of book banning, nothing is more punk than the library.
The San Antonio Public Library central branch at 600 Soledad St. is hosting an author talk with Tara Martin López on Saturday, March 28, starting at 4 pm.
She'll be doing readings and leading discussions from her scholarly exploration of the El Paso punk scene, Chuco Punk: Sonic Insurgency in El Paso.
Drawing from more than 70 interviews and a wealth of archival material, Martin López reveals the unique Chicanx punk sound of South Texas and how America's border and immigration policy fueled the punk scene.
The bad news is that registration for that talk is full. The good news is that Martin López is just the opening act for an entire night of Texas punk. And there won’t be any librarians shushing.
On the bill is Sacred Games, a San Antonio-based hardcore punk-metal band that has a history of activism and absolute sonic devastation. Their 2023 release, An Atlas of Human Suffering, is a blistering collection of short, brutal songs calling for the end of war and the oppressions of capitalism. It’s surprisingly melodic despite the distortion and the screaming.
They'll be joined by W.I.M.P. (not to be confused with Seattle punks The Wimps). Though they've made a bit less of a splash than some of the other acts, any look at their concerts online shows they can easily keep up with the best hardcore punk bands in the city. Fatal Fatigue, who can often be found on the same bill as W.I.M.P., rounds out the local acts.
The headliners are The Code 88s from Del Rio, who will take the stage (designated parking spot?) just as the sun sets over San Antonio. They embody the border punk sound that Martin López talks about in her book. Slightly less hardcore but no less energetic, The Code 88s’ disdain for oppression comes across in tracks like "Let's Go F****** Skate" and "The Bridge."
Bands will be performing on the top floor of the Central Library parking garage starting at 6 pm. No registration is required, and the event is free to attend.
