Was there any greater mid-sized city punk/hc scene than Richmond in the 80s/90s? (Cleveland: best cities)

[aspicandoldlace]

I was in and out of Richmond from 1985-95 and remember some absolutely mind-blowing shows (Agnostic Front, Avail, Four Walls Falling, 400 years). I know DC had more activity but for a city of Richmond's size do people think there was any place comparable?

[dapeaz]

Strange Matter, which is undergone a lengthy list of name changes over the years, seems to be the mecca for punk rock shows. At least that's what I've heard. However I think the metal scene has taken over as of late, although I would say there's no shortage of people walking around the city who look like they're living the 1985 punk scene.

[pantin23]

I had heard that there was on Broad st for a period of time.

[ZZP]

wasn't around in the 80's and 90's so I can't say, but throughout the 2000's Richmond was one of the best cities in the country for the tougher hc stuff and the early 80s hc punk 'revival'. better than most bigger cities imo.

[leosmama]

No idea, but YAY AVAIL!!

[robbobobbo]

Do you mean other cities during that same time period, or other cities that had, at any time, what Richmond had in the 80s/90s?

If the former, Cleveland comes to mind. Or is that too large a city for comparison?

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by dapeaz

However I think the metal scene has taken over as of late,

Metal? Like Heavy Metal and Speed Metal?

I'm surprised someone could be into something cool like punk/hc, and regress to something like Metal. How does that happen?

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by ZZP

wasn't around in the 80's and 90's so I can't say, but throughout the 2000's Richmond was one of the best cities in the country for the tougher hc stuff and the early 80s hc punk 'revival'. better than most bigger cities imo.

As a person who has lived in a few mid-size cities (Portland OR, Minneapolis), I definitely noticed they have great live music scenes with great fans. I wouldn't be surprised if Richmond had that as well.

When I later lived in large cities like SF/NYC, of course all those same bands go through those cities, but the cities are so big, they have everything else as well, which means that the 'cool' stuff like punk becomes just a small element of a small comparative scene, rather than a major element of a music scene in a mid-size city.