Young John Waste was a 14-year-old kid when he became a New York City punk rocker.
He got into the life after going to a Plasmatics concert and seeing a chick named Wendy O. Williams "blow up a car, shake her pussy, and wear whipped cream on her nipples on stage."
In his opinion, kids today spend too much time playing video games.
See also: Five Short Hardcore History Lessons With Punk Professor Steven Blush
Waste is also a huge fan of the Ramones. "We used to see them at the Pier, Brooklyn College, on Staten Island, in Jersey. We used to see them so much that they started inviting us backstage. We were always at their shows. Dee Dee Ramone told us, 'If you ever need anything, just ask.' It was a great experience."
Not much later, at a spot called the A7 Club, a new style of punk began to emerge. "Bands were playin' faster, harder, and throwin' in breakdowns. And that was the birth of the New York hardcore scene. And that's when we decided to start a band."
John Waste grew up in the Ravenswood Projects in Queens, New York City. It's the place where other early NYC punk crews like Major Conflict, Murphy's Law, Token Entry, Kraut, and Armed Citizens were from too. And it's the place where he got together with some friends and created Urban Waste.
"We played from 1981 to 1984 and then broke up," he remembers. "We put out one record in 1982, and that's pretty much what resonated for the past 30 years and kept the people and the band members interested."
Now three decades after that brief, tumultuous run, the band is back together, John Waste has personally got his PMA (positive mental attitude) straight, and Urban Waste is headed south to slam Churchill's Pub like the '80s never ended. You will hear old songs like "Police Brutality" and new ones off the upcoming record. Yes, Urban Waste is in the studio again.
"It's good to be keepin' this shit alive, and it's good to be playin' with kickass bands that are keeping this shit alive" says John. "There's a lot of shit goin' down. And I believe that hardcore music delivers the best message to society. We're a fun band and a fun bunch of people, but the songs give off an energy of 'I'm fuckin' pissed off right now, and that's what it's gonna be for the next 40 minutes.'
"It's kinda like the circle of time comin' back around again with everybody keeping this music alive. We were there when it started, but without the people who love it, what the fuck are we."
Urban Waste. With Nunhex, Vice City Rockers, Suicide Ritual, Bottom Shelf Warriors, and others. Saturday, March 8. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. The show starts at 9 p.m. and admission costs $10. Ages 18 and up. Call 305-757-1807 or visit churchillspub.com.
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