Reno Punk Rock Flea Market Attains Independent Non-Profit Status, Raises Money For Local Teen Hit By Car
Photo by Sam Ray-Johnson.
For decades, we’ve been known for our rich, Reno live music scene – from folk to jazz, hip hop to country – we have something for just about everyone. But if there’s one motley crew in the Biggest Little City that has the most engaged, down-to-earth, connection to the community here, it’s the local punk shows.
The Reno Punk Rock Flea Market (RPRFM) has been one of those organizations that’s not only kept Reno music events alive in our post-pandemic world, but they’ve done so much to give back and make people feel welcome here. From supporting local punk bands that would otherwise not be given opportunities to shine, to fundraisers to help those in need, you could argue they’re the most counter-culture group in town.
Founded five years ago by Jessi Sprocket and “Kadillac” Kim (who also helps run Worst Little Podcast, covering entertainment and art in Reno since 2011), they say what’s made the Flea what it is, is the people involved. As one of the area’s only all-ages punk events, you can expect rowdy fun this summer with toddler mosh pits, car smash downs and an array of local and regional vendors who are eager to contribute.
“We're all friends, we all know each other. It's a family, really,” Sprocket said. “You can't walk into any venue in this town and not run into people you know… it does make you feel really loved and the mutualism is incredible.”
“Bands say that they’ve never played an event like this and they keep coming back,” Kim said. “The Reno scene is just really good to them. People show up to shows here… They appreciate being able to see all these bands for super cheap, and they know it’s going to be a quality show.”
This past weekend the Flea put on a fundraiser at their monthly Neutral Ground matinee to help a local supporter named Myles, who was sadly struck by an SUV while skateboarding in March. Sprocket and Kim say they’re checking up on him and hope he gets back out and about in the community soon. The fundraiser was hosted at The Holland Project, also one of the only all-ages venues in Reno. They managed to raise $400 on Sunday.
“I've never lived in a place that was so good at taking care of each other and it's beautiful,” Sprocket said. “We do it for the children, that’s our mantra. We think about that every day, with everything that we do.”
“I always saw Reno as this little diamond in the rough, we all know it's this amazing place,” Kim said. “I just want to keep it awesome.”
Something Sprocket and Kim mentioned could improve for Reno music venues is more all-ages spaces like the Holland and more all-ages events like the Flea, where all can feel welcome, safe and open to participate. Funding is always an issue too, since the RPRFM just attained their independent non-profit status in March as well.
“When we first started, we had no idea if anyone would even show up,” Sprocket said. “We were definitely worried about the first Flea after COVID and it was totally great. I feel like the scene really bounced back.”
“There’s a lot of outside forces coming in, there’s a lot of gentrification and a lot of people are being forced out because it’s too expensive to live here,” Kim said. “I just want to get my friends’ bands played, so they can pay their rent and everyone else can have a good time.”
I’ve always been blown away by the punk shows in Reno and the audience it attracts. From being offered a ticket to a sold-out show in the parking lot to feeling protected as a woman among violent swirls of fists, kicks and shoving, a lot of outsiders to the scene have a preconceived notion that punk is hostile, rude and scary. In my experience, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Photo by Sam Ray-Johnson.
Even at the small dance floor of the Holland, there were attendees of all styles and ages at Neutral Ground – old guys with long beards and sleeve tattoos, teens with liberty spikes and battle jackets, that one dude that is always shirtless, to the occasional mom in basic trousers and a blouse. The mosh pit respected their perimeter boundaries and kept within the center. No one pushed you unless you were in it, and there were plenty of bystanders watching calmly, swaying their heads to the beat. The music was loud, rambunctious but on brand for Reno punk. It was the perfect blend of satire and in-your-face emotion, which is typical of the genre.
“The Flea is for all… punk is an attitude, it’s not necessarily an aesthetic,” Sprocket said. “If you like [the] culture, the community, the music, just come out, don’t be intimidated. It’s for families, too, that's been one of our favorite parts as punk rock parents, getting to bring our kids to a show – it's really special.”
“They've all been amazing, everybody who has played the Flea has been professional… they just want to contribute and participate in other ways too,” Kim said. “A lot of people don't think Reno is anything that special, they're like, 'why would I drive up to Reno?' but they come up once or twice and they're like, 'we get it.'"
Sprocket and Kim say followers can expect to see much more from RPRFM coming soon, including a clown car wash in June where they will be partnering with Dark Corner Haunt and Shanty Dolan’s. The summer Reno Punk Rock Flea Market will be held on July 15th and 16th at Great Basin Taps & Tanks. There will be a fall Flea as well, more pop ups and of course, their Neutral Ground matinees on the last Sunday of every month.
To learn more about the Reno Punk Rock Flea Market, visit this link here.
