The mysterious leader of Denver hardcore group DROP OUT dons a black ski mask on stage, as do his bandmates, and maintains as much anonymity as possible, including only going by his nickname when speaking on the record.
As he sees it, the veiled façade emphasizes the words, the lyrics, the message more than anything.
“It’s like a persona. It’s a statement. It’s a concept,” Bones says. “And I love that because a lot of times I get people at the merch table who are like, ‘Wait, that was you? That’s not you under that mask.’”
Like the Guy Fawkes vizard worn by the anti-hero of V for Vendetta, DROP OUT’s black masks are becoming a common sight at local shows.
“I was at Summit and saw this huge motherfucking dude, jacked as shit, no shirt, ski mask that said ‘DROP OUT’ on it. I was like, ‘Let’s go,’” Bones recalls, adding that he didn’t talk to or even approach the masked maniac. “I’ve been seeing so many ski masks out. People are getting the idea.”
Epileptic Avulsions is a newer brutal-slam band from Aurora to keep an eye on.
Courtesy Sutton Raeburn
“So many people are like, ‘Yo, you fuck with Kneecap?’ I do,” Bones says. “I can’t say I follow their music so much, so I respect them for what they do. I love that persona.”
While DROP OUT isn’t under such a microscope or making as many headlines as Kneecap, Bones is busy doing what he can locally by organizing benefit shows.
In February, a gig at D3 Arts raised $1,900 in support of the Trans Continental Pipeline. He’s also worked with the Queers for Q Mutual Aid Fund that supports the survivors and families affected by the 2022 shooting at Colorado Springs gay bar Club Q, as well as Bienvenidos Food Bank.
“After the last one did so well, I was like, ‘I want to do this even more often,’ so I immediately booked the next date and started looking for who is visible out there doing things that need to happen,” Bones says.
The next benefit show is Saturday, August 30, at D3 Arts. The lineup includes Epileptic Avulsions, DROP OUT, Gaunt, Toe2Toe and Opium Den. Additionally, there will be a screening of Sorry, Mom Skate Company’s short film Lights On We're Out, along with a raffle open to anyone who donates.
The beneficiary is Denver Justice Project, a nonprofit organization Bones recently came across, whose goal is “to radically transform the criminal legal system through intersectional advocacy that fosters safe and healthy communities,” according to its mission statement.
He liked what it’s all about, and is particularly interested in the group’s work connected to Jeanette Vizguerra, a community activist who has been fighting deportation from Denver since 2009. Her story made national headlines in 2017, when she sought refuge in the First Unitarian Society Church for several months and was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of that year. She was detained by ICE in March and remains in an Aurora facility.
“I saw Denver Justice Project was doing a lot of work putting that name out there and trying to stand up for her persecution,” Bones says. “Visibility about it is where we’re at because I still don’t think, even a lot of people who are working in these abolition or protest groups, are as aware as they should be. A community advocate from our own neighborhood, our city is being held.”
His passion is evident. Bones is extremely well-spoken and informed about how the wicked wheels of oppression turn, including increased ICE efforts to deport immigrants at the same time it's recruiting agents.
“They’ll forgive your student loans, no education or age limit required,” he says of the recruiting tactics. “That one made me fucking laugh out loud, like, ‘Yeah, join us with your dad.’ And all those people are making more money than anyone who’s doing anything useful in society, except maybe doctors.”
Vizguerra’s story is one of resistance and inspiration, of being a thorn in the side of authority.
“She fought back, and it worked,” Bones says. “Of course, they can’t have that kind of energy happening out there in the world. It just caught my attention a lot as something that’s a very clear and obvious political persecution of someone who’s doing something important to help immigrants.”
And supporting Denver Justice Project’s assistance in that regard is crucial, he adds.
“Like anything else in charity and benefit, they’re limited by the fact that they are a nonprofit organization. There’s so much more paperwork and trails and reporting required,” Bones says. “It’s like free rein for AI companies to do whatever the fuck they want, but to give legal aid to people who don’t maybe speak English it’s exuberantly expensive.”
The nonprofit will have a table and speak at the D3 show. Bones believes it can be the start of a recurring partnership. “I feel like it’s more of an introduction as much as it is a benefit,” he says. “I like what they’re doing. I want to see more of it.”
Such shows are becoming a common occurrence within the local hardcore scene, particularly at DIY, all-ages venues. “I’ve seen so many benefit shows springing up around that same community, the D3, Seventh Circle, hardcore, punk scene, the real underground guys. It’s us, we have to do it,” Bones says.
Opium Den, playing its first-ever Denver show at the D3 event, is a good example of a band that wants to help its community. “They want to fucking get out of Texas and play some shows," Bones says. "They’ve given a fuck about the world,” including playing a recent charity gig for victims of this summer’s floods.
While there haven't been any problems reported at these shows throughout the city, and there's no evidence of the sort of government surveillance Kneecap has inspired, Bones credits D3 Arts and Seventh Circle Music Collective, in particular, for creating such havens for social-justice shows — regardless of any blowback.
“I don’t think the D3 scene can ever be separated from its basis level of acceptance and general care about other human beings who might be different,” he says. “You can’t separate what this style of music is about and the way it operates. You couldn’t suddenly demand gender roles in hardcore, like everyone follow gender roles, it’s just not going to happen. Same with like no Latinos in the hardcore scene. There’s literally a group called Latinos Run Hardcore in Denver.”
As someone who regularly works with and books groups, Bones is seeing new politically aware acts coming up, including Gaunt and Epileptic Avulsions, and he hopes the trend continues. After all, the best way to be a part of change is start a band and get up there, masked or unmasked.
“If you’re good, you’ll stick it out, you’ll find your way,” he says.
“And it’s like, who doesn’t want to do this shit? You want to make metal music, or y’all staying home scared?” Bones concludes. “Who doesn’t want to scream about the government, like ‘What the fuck is this?’”
DROP OUT, with Epileptic Avulsions, Gaunt, Toe2Toe and Opium Den, 6 p.m. Saturday, August 30, D3 Arts, 3632 Morrison Road. $20 suggested donation at the door.
