This column begins on May 1, International Worker’s Day in most of the world. But we don’t celebrate that here because it simply isn’t allowed in the curdling nexus of industry and finance we call home. This isn’t by accident but rather design, as our nation’s relationship with labor oscillates between revulsion and fantasy. We lionize the importance of hard work, while our leaders do everything they can to devalue that labor by paying bottom dollar for it and generally mocking those who can’t escape the birth-trap of blue collar slobdom. That a country built on slavery, then exploitative immigrant labor, one that has done everything it can to kill off workers movements and class realism, has any sort of nod towards unionization and the collective value of labor should be considered a miracle, if it wasn’t paid for dearly with the blood and bodies of millions who rose in defiance of capitalist aristocracy. The days of strikes and street fights to gain our rights are the stuff of myth now, inherited by living people who have no tactile memories of the battle. Even Labor Day has no sense of its origin for us, instead marking a long weekend to enjoy the fading summer or — even more bougie — the marker for when it’s no longer fashionable to wear white to gatherings no one you know, or ever will know, attends in distant mirages of opulence. The Democrats, once sort of the party of labor, have punched so hard against its power for so long that we have now gotten the government they so dearly worked for: rich autocrats busy dismantling what was left of a social state. We have a reactionary working class terrified of being othered into losing what little it has left, and a hungry black hole in power that happens when the state fully merges with the corporate and financial sector. I have seen protest signs around here marking the death of American Democracy — as if we ever had one of those — when instead they should be marking the obsolescence of the Democrats, who have achieved their “Third Way” goal of destroying any popular grassroots leftist movements. This is the age of the Republican “victory,” when the most wealthy, shameless and stupid thieves have ascended to the glorious position of holding the bag while the last coins get squeezed out of the majority of America, and we can finally kill off the illusion of being anything other than slaves and bloodbags for the wealthy few.
It doesn’t have to be like this, though. Someone has to grow the food, build homes, keep the lights on, take out the trash, maintain our roads and water systems, and deliver the mail. And the assholes in charge ain’t gonna do it. We just have to fight them instead of each other. And there are A LOT more of us. Never forget that. And have a good week.
Thursday
The Miniplex is hosting a very special breed of power trio tonight at 7:30 p.m., a punk and free jazz outfit called mssv, which stands for Main Steam Stop Valve. Mike Watt from outsider punk pioneers the Minutemen joins with guitarist Mike Baggetta and drummer Stephen Hodges, who has beaten the skins for artists like Tom Waits and the late David Lynch. A COVID-era project, the group is making up for lost touring opportunities due to the virus, rolling through town near the end of a two-month-long tour in support of its latest release from early March, On and On. This should be a good draw, so try to catch an advance ticket for $16, or pay $4 more at the door if there are any left the night of, a risky calculation.
Friday
Back at it again at the Miniplex tonight at 8 p.m., this time for an evening of experimental electronic music, with two touring acts that feature live drums and bespoke visuals. Portland’s Bl_ank is rolling through the West Coast with Spanish sound manipulator Alex Silva, who is now based in Baltimore. This should be a real good time together for all fans of the outer spaces of sound and vision, with excellent local support from long-time musical mega-brain Hudson Glover and the always superb Elegant Humanoid ($10).
Saturday
True North Duo are Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel, who together have crafted a sound built of the finest aspects of bluegrass, pulling off large feats of instrumental prowess and vocal intensity that break containment from the usual restrictions of a less populated act in this genre of music. You can enjoy that sound this evening at 7 p.m. for $20 at the Arcata Playhouse, a perfect venue that makes miracles happen with this kind of music.
If it’s another kind of music you are looking for, with a younger demographic and a big beat, wait an hour later and the Arcata Theatre Lounge has you covered, where Reno, Nevada’s hip hop wunderkind Lou Deezi will be doing what he does best online, having come up quickly in public eye through the arena of social media despite being barely at the end of his teens. He is joined by 1100 Himself and Mitchell, with support from Jelo and Young Johana ($30).
Sunday
Speaking of Reno, Nevada, experimental emo act Antiprono enjoys its second night in the area, having played Redwood Retro is Arcata at 7 p.m. last night. Tonight the band will be at Savage Henry Comedy Club at the same time, and for the same price, $5-$20 sliding scale. However, the line-up will be slightly different, retaining “satanic jazz” act Victor Shrines from Portland, Oregon, but adding Southern California metal band Meridian Parkway and local bangers Image Pit. The show is all-ages, so bring an ID if you want a beer.
Monday
The Basement has a rare Monday night gig going down at 7:30 p.m., with comedian Steve Hofsteller, famous on YouTube for his crowd work, particularly with hecklers, on the bill. However, as of press time the show appears to be mostly sold-out, with the exception of a few front row, meet-and-greet tickets left going for $162.96 after fees, so you are forgiven if you stay home and have a gander on the web instead.
Tuesday
Back over to Savage Henry tonight for a show called Suspended Animation, where local comedians watch Saturday morning cartoons and riff on the absurdities of old youthful diversions. If watching this material at 9 p.m. seems a little off-putting to you, you can drown the eeriness of nostalgia with milk and cereal, available for free after you pony up the $5 entrance fee.
Wednesday
I Speak Machine is a Los Angeles duo which synthesizes experimental film with sound and performance, and has toured with Gary Numan, a titanic figure in the development of that sort of thing. Tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Miniplex, they will be performing with support by DJ Ring Entity and a local band called Parking Structure, which must be a futuristic act because we don’t have any of those around here, but will probably need them. $15 gives you access to the wonder.
Collin Yeo (he/him) is, whatever.
This article appears in From Garden to Table in the Hall.