Foustland

When it comes to knowledge about the Flint Punk Rock scene, there is no one who has a greater overall knowledge than Joel Rash.  Joel was thrown into an integral role building the Flint scene as a dare by members of the Guilty Bystanders to book and promote a show.  Well, Joel did just that, and never turned back.  While others like Phill Hines and Tanya Narhi (We Love You Too Productions) were bringing in bigger nationally touring acts, there was a gap in the scene for Flint and Michigan bands, so Joel filled that gap, and started promoting Hall Shows from that angle.  Well, that's where it started for Joel.

I was reminded that there was a change from Hall Shows to Fallout Shelter shows in 1987, when the basement of the Capitol theatre in downtown Flint became a more permanent venue.  The scene at this point sort of changed as a number of new people started attending the shows since there was a more consistent show calendar.  This reminder has made me rethink the scope I may take for the content of the Hall Show Documentary.  Since nothing is chiseled in stone and I am still in the fairly early stages of production, scope changes are expected.  More on this in future dispatches.

While not directly connected to the Hall Show Documentary, Joel provided a glimpse at the current state of Flint that really paints a reassuring picture of a renaissance within the core of Flint.  From loft apartments to new restaurants to fresh businesses going in, he described a very positive environment in and around Flint, unlike the stories that appear in the national and international media and press.

Finally, we shared a great meal at Flint's Original Coney Island on Court street in Flint after the interview.  People who know me well, know I have evangelized the Coney Islands at Angelo's Coney Island for over 20 years.  Well that time has ended.  The real deal is served up at Flint's Original!