Our All Buttoned Up community has grown rapidly during the last months and we are very thankful for that! In this new series ‘Rude Roots’ we are asking our own community about their lives, their passion, and love for alternative culture, music, art, and other stories. This time we had a fun talk with Gab Vanian from Mexico where we talked about living in Mexico, alternative culture, becoming a skinhead, and cosplay.
Introduction
Hi Gab! Awesome that you took the time to talk with us. How are you?
I’m great. Thank you so much for this interview!
Growing up in Mexico
Can you tell us a little bit about your history? You live in Mexico right? How’s life there?
Yes, I live in Mexico, Mexico City to be exact. Well, life isn’t easy in Mexico but we’re happy people. We have a lot of working class people who fight to have a better life day by day. We’re proud of our beautiful country.
Alternative scene
What’s the alternative scene in Mexico like?
Mexico has a big alternative scene. When European and American bands come over to play here they’re so surprised because in Mexico we have a lot of punks, skinheads, gothic guys and so many subcultures. Mexico City have venues and places dedicated to the alternative scene, for example No Somos Nada, Café Bizarro, Centro de Salud, Ex Fábrica de Harina, El Chopo Market and more.
You are a journalist right? Can you tell us where you write about?
Yes, I’m journalist but now I’m working doing public relationships with musicians and cultural projects. I have a blog named La Última Rabia (The Last Rage) where I write interviews with punk, oi! and ska bands and write articles. Some years ago i did interviews with famous bands like The Exploited, The Adicts, GBH, The Varukers, Cockney Rejects, Stomper 98 and more.
You seem to love your red Fred Perry poloshirt. What does Fred Perry mean to you?
Well, Fred Perry is an iconic brand for skinheads and I admire the founder. Fred Perry hismself was a workingclass tennis player and with his talent he won a lot of prizes with this elitist sport.
Music
What does music mean to you?
It’s my life, my everything!
What kind of music are you in?
Punk, oi!, reggae, ska, northern soul, glam rock, post punk, goth rock, mod rock, indie, pop, electronic music like Kraftwerk, psychobilly and a little bit of heavy metal.
What are you favourite 5 artists/songs?
The Beatles, The Clash, The 4 Skins, Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Cure.
Becoming a Skinhead
When did you become a skinhead? How did it all start?
Well, in my adolescence and in the beginning of my 20’s I was punk but I allways used to listen to Oi! and 2 Tone ska bands. When I was 23 or 24 years old I began having some doubts about the punk scene, my identity as punk and I discovered a blog about glam rock where I saw 70’s skinheads listen this kind of music which I loved since my adolescence (I’m David Bowie fan). This discovery changed my life and and I decided to be a skinhead girl.
What does being a skinhead mean to you? What are you standing for?
Proud to be who you are, your country and culture. In this modern times the skinhead scene is so politicised, because many skinheads are alt left or alt right, it’s a shame! I think all skinheads could be united, like Sham 69 song “If the kids are united”.
I saw some cosplay stuff on your Instagram-profile. Can you tell us something about that?
Hahaha because I’m model, it’s my hobby. I love to do Alex Delarge cosplay.
If you could give an advice to a young Gab, what would it be?
Don’t be a dummy hahaha!
Haha. Good one! Thank you for this nice talk Gab!
If you would like to support Gab you can read her blog or follow her on Instagram.
All content used in this article is shared with consent of the creator.
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Awesome talk!