DIY Conspiracy

DIY Solidarity is open for applications March 1–31, 2026.

DIY Solidarity is a project that allows us to redistribute funds among DIY communities to challenge at least some of the injustices created by a global economic order that is completely out of balance.

It means that, every year, we have some funds available to support DIY projects built entirely on participant involvement and community support. No state funding, no corporate sponsorship, no NGO backing.

The project grew out of an inheritance that was consciously redirected back into the DIY scene. Since 2024, we’ve approached it as a practical tool for redistribution: moving resources from those who have had relatively easier access to them to communities and projects that need them more. We aim to spread what’s available across a range of initiatives, including bands and venues, zine makers and distros, festivals and gatherings, social centers, squats, rural communities and living spaces.

Applications are open through March 31. Previous recipients can apply again, but priority will generally be given to new projects.

Apply to get funding or learn more at https://diysolidarity.org

Zora Burden interviews SHARP founder Marcus Pacheco on reclaiming the skinhead subculture, confronting racism in the 1980s NYC, and pushing back against media myths about skinheads that are still prevalent even today.

https://diyconspiracy.net/sharp-skinheads-history/

#punk #skinheads #sharpskins #newyorkcity #antiracism

CALLING OUT DIY PUNK ARTISTS

DIY Conspiracy is looking for artists to collaborate on visuals for an upcoming long-form article series.

One of our far-flung writers had been working on a book about a specific hardcore punk scene, but for various reasons, the project never came together. Now parts of that work will find a new life as a series of articles on the site.

We’d love to find someone who can help make consistent visuals across the series.

There’s no time constraint. These pieces will be published slowly, with months between them, so this isn’t a high-pressure or deadline-heavy thing.

We’ve been lucky to get help from friends and great people on artwork over the years, but for this series it would be nice to bring someone new, especially someone from the Fediverse.

If you're interested, drop us a line at diyconspiracy@riseup.net

#punk #art #artwork #hardcorepunk #crust

It's another Bandcamp Friday, so why not another rundown of records from the ever-growing listening pile?

https://diyconspiracy.net/one-paragraph-reviews-vol-2/

In 2025, @The_Counterforce@kolektiva.social received over 70 demos for the second edition of DEMO FEST. A fundraiser for Solidarity Across Borders, a Montreal-based migrant justice network.

A way to encourage punks to finish new recordings in the fall, giving all of us the gift of fresh noise as we enter the darkest and coldest months of winter.

We listened to every demo and made our picks. We picked the earworms, mind-smashers, and gut-driven anthems.

Link: https://diyconspiracy.net/demo-fest-2025-picks/

A new interview by Freddy Alva on DIY Conspiracy digging into SPAR (Skins & Punks Against Racism) and the late ’80s NYC scene.

Ali Smith, Matt Gard and Brendan SFA share their recollections of pushing back against racism from within.

https://diyconspiracy.net/spar-skins-and-punks-against-racism/

#punk #skinheads #NYC #NYHC #antiracist

Another attempt to promote our message board, haha! This thread might be of particular interest to the Counterforce folks.

https://diyconspiracy.net/board/viewtopic.php?t=82&sid=96596cc9eb69105eab39b07be1a50b73

“Antipode” Vol. II: Open Call for Contributions

“Antipode” is an ongoing zinebook series documenting punk, hardcore, and DIY culture through the voices of the people who build these scenes.

Vol. II continues the focus on SWANA while expanding toward South Asia and Southeast Asia, with a release planned for Oct 1, 2026 alongside a compilation and launch shows.

Bands, zines, collectives, labels, DIY spaces, and individuals are invited to contribute texts, interviews, archives, visuals, or scene reports.

Contact:
dogacreator@gmail.com

Deadline: April 20, 2026

the open call is also published on our website with more information.

https://diyconspiracy.net/antipode-open-call-vol-2/

New Music Review: Burned Up Bled Dry – Next Stop… Dead Stop… (Prank Records; 2026)

Link: https://diyconspiracy.net/burned-up-bled-dry-next-stop-dead-stop/

One of our favorite crusty hardcore releases so far this year.

An arrest and criminal charge in 2025 led back to a much longer history tied to the vegan straight edge hardcore band 7 Generations and the close circle around them (we first published a piece on this in 2021). What comes up is a pattern of abuse, protection, and silence spanning years.

The new article covers the arrest of a key figure connected to the band, a broader overview of allegations across their inner circle, and a documented timeline of abuse involving multiple members. It also brings the full story together in one place and looks at what hardcore can learn to prevent a repeat.

The article compiles accounts, timelines, and context that have been scattered for years.

Link:

https://diyconspiracy.net/the-sexual-predators-of-hardcore/

We originally planned to publish this on Friday, but since rumors of its publication have already started circulating, we’re publishing it now.

#punk #hardcore #hardcorepunk #vegan #straightedge #veganstraightedge #abuse #7generatons #accountability

It’s that time of year for another noisy, unranked, and totally subjective tour through Aotearoa & Australia’s far-flung punk and hardcore releases. 🌏

Link: https://diyconspiracy.net/down-underground-25/

It’s Bandcamp Friday, and while Bandcamp’s business model is far from ideal, today your money goes directly to the bands.

Attention: This is a long read! 55 records reviewed, including raw punk, d-beat, crust, garage punk, poppier punk, art punk, and roid-raging hardcore.

This just dropped.
Enjoy the synths.
Read the fuckin lyrics.

Ⓐ//Ⓔ//Ⓥ

https://mirlo.space/displeasure/release/annihilationbillionaire-death-drrive

New Music Review: Rageous Intent – Self-Titled LP (Psychocontrol Records, Grindfather Productions, Victim Records, Hecatombe Records; 2024)

Link: https://diyconspiracy.net/rageous-intent-st/

Crusty grindcore from Madrid, Spain