Punk Concert Violence

As a longtime punk rock music fan, I am disappointed with the actions of the fans, band members and security forces at the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion (“10 Arrested in Riot at Rock Concert,” Metro, June 27). I am sure that the concert promoters and the chief of security have been involved with many “punk” shows in the past and are aware of its violent nature. Here, they could not fight fire with fire.

Unfortunately, many punk fans and band members have adopted “us against them” attitudes against people of authority. Instead of recognizing this oppression as being directed toward the security overall, police officers and the burly bouncers took things personally by fighting back. By selectively removing the bad apples, the security should be doing the job that our hard-earned money paid them to do. Supervisors should also have recognized the more aggressive security guards and the physical assault of security.

Yes, Blockbuster is not a traditional punk rock venue, but the bands all signed contracts to be there. By holding the microphones, they have the crowd’s respect and should be responsible enough to recognize and ease situations. I am thrilled that police arrested the singer of Guttermouth for his participation in this embarrassment. During its evolution, punk rock was a tight-knit community; however, today’s bandwagon punks have severed us from society.

STEVE WOLFE

San Clemente