It was a darkness all my own
A song played on the radio,
But it went straight to my heart
I carried it with me
Until the darkness was gone...

Music and art has a special meaning for everyone. Whether it takes us back to a better time, or reminds us of rebellion, or whatever, we grow attached to the culture our music and art represents. For me, like many others, music was an escape from whatever demons we were fighting. It was a moment shared with a band and a group that understood what was going on, even if we were all strangers. I think that’s what always drew me to several of my favorite bands, including the Bouncing Souls.

Above is a line to their song “Gone,” which was featured on their How I Spent My Summer Vacation album in 2000. I didn’t start listening to the Bouncing Souls until 2006, yet I felt like this Jersey band got me. I feel that way about most music I listen to, but this band in particular always found a way to say the things I felt without being specific. And that is the magic of music. The ability to connect with people and spread culture in a way that makes you throw your fist in the air and scream every word to no one but yourself, because in this moment you are at peace.

While I don’t believe this is unique to the punk culture, or punk music in general, punk music has always been the map guiding me through some of the toughest moments of my life. That is what sticks out the most to me about this song. The Bouncing Souls have a magical way of taking a complex subject and making it both relatable and something that makes you want to sing and dance along to. The quote above really strikes a cord with what punk music has always been for me.

No matter the darkness we are fighting through, music will get us through. We will carry it with us until we make it to the other side, because without music… we are lost.