HP Community Pick is a semi-regular blog series where community members have the chance to highlight a show they’re stoked about. This pick is brought to you by Jenn Archerd (local artist, musician, showgoer) on the band Subhumans who presented by Holland Project performed on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Cypress with FEA and locals Clarko. Read all about it below!
Subhumans is the band I’ve seen the most of, by far. I’ve seen them maybe about five times in the past 20 years. My favorite memory of them, and really my favorite show experience of any band ever, was seeing them in Sacramento in the mid-oughts. This was many many years before I would ever own a cellphone, so I am not sure of the exact year, nor do I have any pics from that time. I have included, however, my favorite pic of Subhumans frontman Dick Lucas singing with Adrienne Droogas of the legendary band Spitboy, when they would tour together in the 90’s.It’s always been inspiring and exhilarating seeing these aging punks who talk the talk and walk the walk. Our punk elders are very much alive and kicking, with 40-year-old lyrics that are more relevant today than ever. I was a sober driver this trip around, which I recall because these were the days when I would drive back from a show in California the same night. Those days are long gone for me.I also recall that detail, because for their encore, they played their 15-minute magnum opus, From The Cradle to the Grave, the last track from the album of the same name. And to experience an entire crowd of strangers singing, hugging, and dancing along to that epic 15-minute song, gave me a high I have not experienced since. It was intense and beautiful.Their lyrical content of anarchist dreams and disappointments of the world around us has never let me down, and they always choose and uplift fascinating bands to tour with. This time we get to see them with Fea, a chicana punk quartet to soothe and seduce my latinx heart, and our buds in Clarko & their art punk Devo ways will be playing as well. This is a lineup that really has something for everyone and I can’t wait.
-Jenn