On Oct. 23, Joe’s Backyard transformed into a hub of energy as it hosted its Halloween costume-encouraged hardcore show, featuring special guests Reality Denied from Canada. The event, organized by HC Demonstrations, drew a diverse crowd eager to celebrate the hardcore scene.
Sanity Slip singer, Sarynthia Marmolejo, played a pivotal role in bringing the band to South Texas.
“I messaged Reality Denied requesting to perform with my band,” she explained, “they responded with what they would need to come to the states.”
Conner Gibbs, band member of Reality Denied underscored the challenges faced by Canadian bands touring in the U.S.
“We’ve been trying to do something big and crazy. It’s really hard for Canadian bands to come play the states with the visa stuff,” Gibbs said. “We owe a lot to Sanity Slip for making this work,” he said of Sanity Slips’ assistance in securing shows in the U.S.
The roots of collaboration run deep. Gibbs and fellow musician for Reality Denied, Matt Squires, have a long history together.
“We’ve played in hardcore bands before. This has kept going since we were 18 or 19 years old, and we never stopped,” Squires noted.
Attendee Ti’a Chavez made the trip from Houston, eager to see local band Wig Split perform.
“This is my first time here in Corpus. I talked to Joe’s dad, and now I have a great appreciation for everything he does for this community,” said Chavez, who dressed as a mime. “I decided to dress up as a mime because when you mosh, you don’t talk,” she joked. “If you don’t want to get hit, don’t get in the pit,” she added, highlighting her view of the scene as a form of dancing.
Despite it being a Wednesday night, Chavez was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.
“For a Wednesday night, I’m surprised how many people are here,” she stated.
Marmolejo, who has been with Sanity Slip for seven years and performed at Joe’s Backyard before, praised the venue.
“I love Corpus. It’s a very tight scene with so much love. They protect each other. Joe’s Backyard is f***ing sick! He’s so able to make this work with the neighbors and his parents—shout out to them for their support.”
Andy Dmytryshyn, guitarist and two-year member of Reality Denied, shared the band’s arduous journey to the show.
“To get to Joe’s Backyard from Canada, most of us are from Niagara Falls; St. Catharines, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; and near the Great Sioux Nation reservation. We woke up at 2 a.m. to cross the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, then flew to JFK and drove to Corpus with a rental from Hertz,” he continued. “To drive up to this show and see the sense of community and how many people are here on a Wednesday night makes our travel all worth it. Joe’s Backyard has a very welcoming vibe of people who really care about making these shows happen.”
The night also featured a costume contest, where River Garza, who plays bass with local band Mind Your Own, won the top prize dressed as Neo from “The Matrix.”
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to be. I just really wanted to win the costume contest,” he said. Garza offered advice for newcomers to the hardcore scene: “Don’t stand at the edge of the pit unless you expect to get hit,” he said. “It was awesome to see the band from Canada.”
As the night wrapped up, the fellowship and passion for hardcore music filled the air, sealing Joe’s Backyard as a vital part of the community.
