Red Scare turned 10 last weekend and to celebrate had one hell of party in Chicago. Mat Stokes was there and took some portraits over the weekend.
“This was one of the most fun projects I’ve worked on. I had been looking forward to this show since it had been announced. I have been going to Red October Fests since I moved to Chicago in 2008. My first experience was the Falcon show at Subterranean. It was one of the first shows I brought a camera to. I still have the pictures. They’re ridiculous. Ever since then, Red Scare has been a BIG part of the shows I’ve been to. It’s been an even bigger part of the shows I bring my camera to. I wouldn’t be where I am if not for Toby and his goon squad. If there’s one thing my project showcases it is the fact that Red Scare brings folks together. So many of the people in these pictures are friends or relationships forged at past shows; most of them Red Scare related.
The 10 year anniversary was as much a party for Toby and the Red Scares as it was the people who came from far and wide to see their favorite bands in the city where it all began. It was inspiring to see how many of them were excited to participate and how all of them were able to capture the spirit of the label by such simple means. After existing for over a decade in the worst time to be a record label, the people continue to demonstrate that Red Scare truly is the opiate of the…I don’t know. Drunks?
The first time I ever attended a Red Scare Fest was in 2008 and it was amazing for two big reasons: 1. I got to see The Falcon 2. The audience got these bad ass cups that said Red Scare Fest and had the logo on it. Let me tell you something: I loved the shit out of that cup. To this day, it remains the only cup I’ve ever used up. It was a damn shame to see it go, but that’s what happens when there’s no longer any identifying marks to tell an old roommate it’s not their’s and they take it. Every year since, I’ve gone in the hopes that there would be cups again. Every year since, I’ve been let down. Sure I loved watching your Cobra Skulls, Propagandhis, and what have yous, but I can’t take them home to drink from. It just feels like it would be awkward.
Red Scare Fest 2008 was such a drunken shitshow of debauchery. There were shirtless stage dives and plenty of drunken antics from Brendan. Being in the crowd was like being in a washing machine that used sweat in place of detergent. It was great. You know what else was great? That god damn cup. You may think I’m crazy, but it wasn’t just a cup. It was a reminder that that night and the subsequent celebrations were everything that’s right about an indie punk label. The people that run this label care more about music and the people who make it than anyone I’ve ever seen. Every sip from that cup, chalice if you will, was a reminder how lucky I was to live in a city with such an important label. Until Red Scare gets their shit together on the cup front, I guess I will have to raise a far inferior glass in toast: Happy anniversary Red Scare. Thank you for an amazing ten years. Make more god damn cups.”
-Mat Stokes
