Eric Navarro
The Hard Times
Baltimore, MD, United States
Contact Eric
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Past articles by Eric:
How To Tell the Older Sibling Who Got You Into Punk That They’re Too Old To Go to Shows
There comes a time in every person’s life when they need to give a harsh truth to an elder loved one. Unfortunately, it’s often the best thing to do when that loved one is unaware of their situation. Especially, when their situation has become embarrassing or potentially dangerous. It may be painful and difficult to even find the words, but remember you’re doing this because you love them. → Read More
Help! I Bought the Next Size up in Dumbbells but I Can’t Carry Them to My Apartment
After years of destroying my body with alcohol and Mcdonald's, I’ve finally got myself back into a routine of healthy eating and exercise. I even dusted off my old weight set and worked my way all the way back up to lifting fifteens. With ease! But it looks like I got too cocky bros because I went to the store to pick up a set of twenty-pound dumbbells and, unfortunately, I have no fucking clue… → Read More
Help! Everyone Thinks I’m Rich but I Just Look Nice in a Sweater
It’s hard being a rich punk. Especially when you’re not rich. → Read More
The Grammys Are Completely Meaningless Assuming Turnstile Doesn’t Win
I’ve said it for years: The Grammys, like all major award shows, are hollow events designed solely for the rich and famous to parade themselves around like show ponies under the guise of art and social consciousness. And, once again, that will continue to be true unless Turnstile takes home all three of their nominations. → Read More
Corporate Bullshit: The Vinyl Section at Target Only Had Stuff I Know and Like
Look, I know it’s a big corporate chain, but the vinyl selection at this Target is complete bullshit. Where are all the old, weird albums no one’s touched for forty-plus years? Where are the obscure bands that are obscure for very good reason? Where is the art?! All I see is stuff I know and like! → Read More
Now That We’ve Seized the Means of Production, Does Anyone Here Have Managerial Skills?
We’ve done it, comrades! We fought the bourgeoisie tooth and nail and ultimately seized the means of production. We can remake the world in our utopian image. We can rally together, paving the way for a new working class that upholds equity and meritocracy and will hopefully inspire others around the world to do the same. That said, we’re pretty fucking disorganized right now. Does anyone here… → Read More
We’re Not a “Band” We’re a “Collective Who Suck at Playing Instruments”
Music is more than just performance art. It is a state of being. It is a cohesive, universal experience that unites spirits and transcends the physical realm. Except for country. To call me and my tribe of creators a “band” is a grand understatement that minimizes the entire being of the artform itself. We are not a band. We are a collective who suck at playing instruments. → Read More
We Sat Down With the One Who Got Away and She Turned Out Just as Awful as Us
Life has not gone as planned. When we were in high school we were certain we'd be a famous musician by now, about to settle down with our supportive spouse and start having a family before retiring from music on top of the world and planning our run as a senator. Well today we're alone, the band didn’t work out, and the closest we ever got to the senate was because of our whereabouts on January… → Read More
Opinion: You’re Not My Real Soccer Mommy!
No, I will not listen to you! You can’t tell me what to do. You tell me to take out the trash, wash the dishes, and mow the lawn. But I will never do that just because you said so. You’re not my real soccer mommy! → Read More
Opinion: Downton Abbey Ruined an Entire Generation of GILFs
Let’s get this out of the way. Yes, I am an incel. And, yes, I know that’s “very 2017” of me. But facts are facts! As an incel, one of the few things I have in my love life is my fantasies. Specifically, fantasies about GILFs. But even these meager fantasies have been dashed since a plague was cast upon the world. A plague that the elderly have been the most susceptible to. No, not covid.… → Read More
Separate Art From the Artist: Help Me Convince My Dad To Stop Playing in Bands
This may be a hotly debated topic but I am personally in favor of separating the art from the artist. Who a person is should have no bearing on the quality of the content they produce. If someone’s art makes you happy then I think that’s a net positive regardless of who the artist is behind the scenes. But that’s a different debate entirely. What we’re here to do is convince my dad to quit his… → Read More
The NFL Is an Exploitative, Capitalist Death Machine Now That My Team’s Out of the Playoffs
Are you fucking kidding me?!?! That call was bullshit! Well that’s just fucking great. My team’s season is done, I’m in a terrible mood, and once again the NFL is an exploitative death machine hellbent on squeezing every dollar out of its players regardless of the long-term consequences of their health. → Read More
We Went to the Modern Baseball Reunion Show but It Turned Out To Be a Magic Tournament
We were stoked when we saw a flyer for a reunion show from our favorite ironycore-turned- sinceritycore band, “Modern Baseball.” We couldn’t believe they were getting back together for a one-time performance starting at noon and lasting however long “seven rounds with a cut to top 8” is. → Read More
5 Punk Albums Perfect for Reminding You How You Used To Stand For Something
Here are 5 quintessential punk rock albums to remind you how you used to stand for something before you sold your life for a paycheck → Read More
I Support All Mom and Pop Stores except for My Family Business Because Fuck You Mom and Dad
Large corporations are demon tanks running on pure capitalism, emotionlessly bulldozing all we have worked to build as a society. In this time more than ever, it is our duty as a people to take back our streets, our economy, and our businesses. This Black Friday, don't go to a big chain store for your shopping/assault spree. Hell, even after this Friday we should stick to buying from independent… → Read More
I’ve Forgotten More About Moshing Than You’ll Ever Know Thanks to CTE
Hey there, new meat. First mosh pit? No? Well that's not what it looks like to me, a mosh pit veteran. What kind of technique is that? You look like you want to jump in on some double dutch but you're too scared. Damn, I know so much more about moshing than you. And thanks to all the head trauma I've endured, I'm fairly certain I've forgotten more about moshing than you'll ever learn. → Read More
3 Types of Depression and Why They’re Choosing to Target You, Specifically
Depression is a real buzzkill. Or a buzz inducer if you self-medicate with alcohol like I recently had to stop doing. Constantly bottoming out aside, depression doesn’t just have to come from your fucked up environment. It can also come from your fucked up brain chemistry! So we're gonna help you treat it. Just kidding! Like we’ve figured that out. However, we can help you come to terms with… → Read More
I Get Older, the Guys in My Band Stay the Same Age
Oiright, oiright, oiright. You know what I love about the local scene? Every four years it completely refreshes. Kids graduate from high school and move on while another group of kids enter high school and join the scene. But not me. Year after year, I remain in the same scene playing the same songs in the same band. Just with new members. → Read More
Horny Heroes: This Ska Band Refuses To Make Puns
Ska is constantly in the crosshairs of the rest of the alternative scene. The genre, its bands, and its fans constantly face ridicule from their peers for a myriad of reasons. But mostly it’s because of the puns. The puns generate like 99% of ska hate. Fortunately, we discovered a ska band that is breaking this ska stereotype, challenging the entire scene to take a second look at a genre they… → Read More
Help! The Line for the Show Was Too Long and I Ate All My Canned Food Donations
Oh boy, I’m really in some hot water now. The entry for this show was either cash or canned food donations so I, of course, brought the latter. However, now I'm fucked because the line was too long and I just ate all 5 cans I brought and now I can’t afford to get in. Help! → Read More