Who's to Blame? My kid is a Punk.

I thought it started about 14 years ago. Miles was about 13 when he discovered the Ramones. I saw the patches and heard the music. Taylor and Serena became acquainted with them. Serena and Miles have identified themselves at various times in their lives as punks. The look, the attitude, the music of the punk rock genre permeated their existence. I used to think it went downhill after that.

I knew Miles would like music. In February 1984, Leticia held a beach party in her Provo apartment. It was a long cold winter that year, and we needed a break (us California girls). I was 7+ months pregnant. The Beach Boys dominated the stereo cassette player. Mr. P was probably there, pre-fiance status, so there may have been other music as well. But it would have been cool stuff, cuz we were. Cool. Miles, in utero, reacted. With enthusiasm. I finally had to lay down on Leticia's king-sized water bed and just let the baby rock out.

At some point early on of this saturation of punk music, maybe Miles was still in high school even, I had a memory from Wausau, Wisconsin. Jeff and I were living there for the summer. It was 1983. We were newlyweds. Idealistic, hopeful, romantic. Jeff came home from work one day and said we were going to a show. It was in a bar. I had never done that before. But he said was important we go because the band was important in the punk rock scene.


Jeff loved music. Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones were favorites. We were heavy into the New Wave scene. I have a picture of him looking like Sting. Still one of my favs(can't find it just now), the picture that is-well Sting is OK too. Music was part of our relationship. We won a dance contest dancing to...?

So we went to the show. It was a dive. It was loud. I had no clue who the band was. My only memory of that night is "it was loud". I don't think I got it. And it was probably late and I am NOT a night owl.

As I considered that night and the band, whose name I didn't know then and couldn't quite remember, I wondered if it was the Ramones. And began telling the kids that I thought I had seen them.

Never got around to looking it up. Finally remembered to ask the ex-husband who had taken me there.
Here is the message from Facebook yesterday:

• 

  14 hours ago

  Edonna L Flake

  • what punk band did we see that summer in WI at some dive bar. All I remember is LOUD. But you said it was someone important in the punk scene of 1983.
• 

  9 hours ago

  Jeff Berrett

  • it was either the Ramones or the Romantics. I like to think it was the Ramomes. I can not find if they were touring where that summer
  • Oh my the Ramones were in Wausau, Wisconsin on June 3rd 1983. We were there. Wow. Take that punk rock children
     
     
     
     

BAM!!!!!!!!!
Ditto Jeff-Take that punk rock children!!

And I wasn't pregnant yet, so Miles was NOT there.