I’ve often looked around and thought to myself, “Damn, why couldn’t I be something cool or advantageous like Italian?” You always see those tees in Chinatown that say Daddy’s Little Meatball, but you never see one that says Daddy’s Little Spring Roll. (I’m kidding.)
But @asianamericanunityfest over the past two years taught me that being Asian is much more than a trope. It’s a sign of resilience. It’s a badge of honor to be even remotely associated, through any similarity at all, with organizers like @summon.m3 , @andrewokano , @austinampeloquio , @mitchellontheshore , @mollomo , @psytofuckingpsy , @kimhwanchang , and Judy. I look at them and see strength rather than the passiveness people projected onto Asians for decades.
I used to be blind to parts of my upbringing - even embarrassed by them. I was adopted at age two in Hong Kong, and by 19 I had already lived in seven states. So not only did I stand out because of my race, I also barely knew where the fuck I was living every three or four years. And on top of that, I had to make things even easier for myself by being gay too lol.
That instability became part of me. It led to this feeling of never fully belonging, and to an almost innate urge to rebel against conformity. But I’ve never felt more inclined to be part of something than I did sitting at the table Chang-Hwan invited me to.
Thank you to the kind souls I met at that brunch, and to everyone who’s allowed me to openly grieve the severed ties to my roots - ties I hope to someday piece back together.
@chanxmeex , @der_magen_megan , @feelin7needy , @rforestttt , @uglyxkorean , @slantedmemories , @danbeeza , @kimhwanchang , and @psytofuckingpsy - thank you.
Thank you also to @skool__boy.k , formerly of @brainwashedhc , who was the very first person to speak to me at the first year of this event. I miss you. That small act of kindness has stayed with me for over a year, and I hope you’re doing well in Thailand.
Shoutout to the following bands: @fermentforever , @cherubchains.hc , @plagueshc , @soursoundtrack , @dogbreathnyc , and @kyfrecords .
Special shoutout to @pierrebtattooing - who we all aspire to be like Christ himself.
2025 Pt.2 because 20 spots isn’t enough. Thank you to all who flipped through my silly vids on the last one. Here’s a few more bands I’d like to highlight - all NY. A transplant has gotta earn their right here somehow hm? 🫡
2025 has been my favorite year in hardcore both for the music released, and also the amount of friendships I have strengthened and forged. This is a very special community we have, and one that I personally had no idea I’d ever be integrated into or acknowledged as being apart of - especially to be accepted as myself as an alphabet city Asian guy who’s lived far and wide in both the US and Hong Kong. There’s so many people I wish to thank and support - but that’s what all my stories are for. Being able to speak/hang directly with someone who does something they genuinely care about is rare especially in an age where we long to idolize people from afar; here it’s a sum greater than its parts. Not only that, but it couldn’t be a scene without the people who come to the shows, bookers, or photographers - all many people who I’ve come to know and respect. I can’t wait for 2026 with all of you releasing new music, embarking on different endeavors, and keeping it real in a world that feels distantly overrun by technology and a decreasing consideration for others. Proud of everyone who’s taken the risks physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and socially to put themselves out there. TL:DR, never give up on what you really believe in and do whatever the fuck you want for yourself because the world is your oyster and now is better than never to make your life become something you enjoy living. Is it easy? No. But I was raised under the guise of “work hard, play hard”. See you at the next show.
D
LDB Fest 2025 - a special weekend for the books; and my first ever hardcore festival that I flew out for. A special thank you to @tiaxslaughter , @peacecanwait (Steamroll), @partylikesarah , @livefromdapit , @andrew_nyhc (Combust and Steamroll), @ilovecheese7777 , and @shot_by_bee . All of whom were so kind to me here. Hardcore is special for me as it’s helped ground and remind me that I have a voice when I often feel powerless / even worthless as a cog in the daily corporate machine; part of a corrupted America. However, I’ve never met people I respect more than the ones I’ve met in hardcore - and everyone has been nothing but encouraging and supportive; bringing with that relationships / interactions I cherish the shit out of. Shoutout to Steamroll (@ehhhhric also in Combust, @stillchillerthanmost , ) *especially*, Combust (@davie_boombap , @alexbnyc , @petewalkr ), Mindforce (@jaypeta_ , @donnyruck , @mikeshaw_79 , @deathfete ), @ageofapocalypse_ny , @soulblind , and @missinglinkhc . All these bands epitomize successful through not having given up values, sound, and authenticity (no Taco Bell ads here) - which is inarguably the true ethos of hardcore; having integrity. YOU KNOW ITS NYHC UNTIL THE DEATH OF ME! 🫡
Special shoutout to everyone who performed, but most notably: @haywire617 , @spy.worldwide , @shogun_hc , @killingmesoftlyhc , @conservativemilitaryimageusa , @enlovehc
Yeah, I love @mindforceny …. 1st song is Excalibur, 2nd song is Nightmare, 3rd song is Survival is Vengeance, and last is Words Fail. @jaypeta_ is the damn GOAT. NYHC is 💯!
