I vaguely remember the first time I saw the video for Agnostic Front’s Anthem. I wasn’t really into heavy metal that much anymore but I used to religiously watch the late night Mtv shows Headbangers Ball and 120 Minutes and the last hour of both shows would usually have some videos with some of the more obscure and/or heavy bands. Basically, I had to wade through countless Bang Tango and Carter USM videos if I wanted to see a Celtic Frost or Husker Du video. It’s nearly impossible to explain how much of an impact this single video had on my life. It’s safe to say that I had heard hardcore punk before I’d seen this video. It’s safe to say that I had a decent idea what slamdancing was. It’s also safe to say that this video proved that I didn’t know shit.

Seriously, watch the video - I remember watching and something clicking in my brain. All of the sudden, I GOT IT! only I still really didn’t know what was up. Even watching the video now, however many years later, I can’t help but get excited. People are going fucking insane. You can’t tell who the band is and who the audience is. Skinheads galore. People doing motherfucking FLIPS into the crowd. My head was blown wide open by this one. All I knew is that I wanted to be a part of this scene. I wanted to go to CBGB. I wanted to shave my head. I wanted to be a punk.

A few days later I bought Agnostic Front’s Live at CBGB:1988, Corrosion Of Conformity Six Songs With Mike Singing, and some other shit that I can’t remember right now, on cassette from a wicker furniture store in the Cherry Hill Mall that sold skate and punk stuff in the back of the store. That was it - I was a punk rocker.