have now,” Noir said. “Being black is punk in itself.” Others also note the lack of diversity and culture in the punk alternative scene, particularly in Columbia. Ben Wright, a 22-year-old Columbia resident, observes that it has its challenges. He finds that stereotypical African American culture can sometimes be closed off to other interests. “It can be extremely hard to try to find something new or to get out of your comfort zone and even admit to yourself that you like something,” Wright said. However, Wright never let that stop him. “Probably when I was about twelve, I started finding music on my own. Nirvana was one of the first bands I ever listened to, and I just fell in love with the whole grunge and punk scene.” His tastes have changed over time. When he was younger, he listened to artists like Fall Out Boy, The Cure and Tupac. In recent years, he’s delved into the works of Lenny Kravitz, Prince and The Black Pumas. “I don’t want to clarify myself with one
genre, or style, of people,” Wright said. “But I’d like to say that it’s a little bit more on the alternative punk side.” In terms of the alternative punk scene in Columbia, Wright believes that it most definitely exists. One of his favorite places is New Brooklyn Tavern, the oldest continuous running music venue in the area. “They have a reputation for being probably one of the most punk places in Columbia because they’re well known,” Wright said. “They do their hardest to keep it clean and have a really good, friendly environment there.” He has attended shows there since he was thirteen years old, and the venue has experienced changes over the years. One of his favorite performances at the venue was in 2016 by a local alternative band known as the Brigades. “Everybody was having a good time,” Wright said. “People were moshing. I saw a kid get punched in the face. It was great.” Wright also creates his own music. Ever
since learning the guitar, he’s wanted to tackle more personal subjects in his songs. “Most artists, if you really listen closely, they’re talking about their own experiences or how they feel, or anything that they need to get off their chest,” Wright said. “It’s like therapy.” Surprisingly, he pulls most of his inspirations from the genres of Indie, Neo-soul and R&B, as opposed to punk and alternative. However, it doesn’t mean he loves the genre any less. For those wanting to know more about Black people in the punk alternative scene, Wright recommends doing a deep dive into Afro-punk. In recent years, the punk alternative scene has fostered a more accepting environment as people become more knowledgeable about the genre’s past. “It’s become more of an accepting thing where people are going back to their roots,” Nori Noir said. “I can feel more comfortable with indulging in it too.”