Jay Dunn: Journalism for Social Justice

Rock and rollers have always been rebels, in a way, so it’s no surprise that the alternative music scene in Salinas has found some unorthodox places to perform. The fact is, though, for the vibrant metal scene in and around the Salinas Valley, there are just very few places to play. Print shops, boxing gyms, restaurants, all have contributed toward making an underground scene possible. Kudos go to homegrown producers like In Your Face and Pinup, who make great use of social media to arrange spaces, enlist help, promote shows and make last-minute changes. These committed players are making their own way, creating music, cementing friendships and giving youth alternatives to being on the streets.