Please Don't Hang Out In Front of the House

Aaron from Attica! Attica! has put together a compilation of songs to celebrate house shows in response to the co-opting of the DIY scene that was recently started by Red Bull's "Noise Complaint" contest/show in New Brunswick, New Jersey. We put together a song for the comp called "D.I.Why?" which is our feelings and response to the not-so-surprising co-opting of the DIY punk scene by a major corporation like Red Bull and how we need to focus more on safe spaces that are welcoming to all and deviate away from "scenes" that are limiting. Below I've listed the lyrics and what Charlene had to say about them. You can download the compilation HERE.

"I used to feel alone here

just trying to get by

one fist up, one head down

to fight and then to cry

I used to feel like a stranger

people I thought I knew

‘til I saw what they believed in

heard the language they that used

I used to think I wouldn’t make it

as I’d wait for things to change

but I’m tired of waiting

and the despair it creates

why do you do it yourself

when you can build with me

with him or her

working collectively

let’s book our own shows

and let’s play on the streets

and share what we’ve got

with our community

I used to feel like I was dying

and becoming who I hate

one day I was all right another I cried

then it started again

I used to feel so helpless

before I learned what we could make

the greatest strength of humanity

is the power to change

I know that we’re all trying

we keep growing constantly

spend some sober nights alone

take ourselves seriously

why do you do it yourself

when you can build with me

with him or with her

working collectively

learning from our neighbors

moving beyond scenes

to create the safe spaces

that everyone needs"

“Overall, the song is about both the potential and limitations of the “do it yourself” scene. As a queer woman, the D.I.Y. punk scene can feel unwelcoming and patriarchal; and as people interested in movement-building and radical spaces, we sometimes get frustrated by the failure of punks to actually participate in direct actions and popular education. The song calls on D.I.Y. punks to focus less on the individualist mantra “do it yourself” and to instead work towards building together, working collectively, and creating truly radical, diverse, and welcoming spaces for everyone—not just punks.” - Charlene