Before You Were Punk: Mike Park (Asian Man Records)

Welcome to Before You Were Punk, an interview feature here on Punks in Vegas where we ask your favorite musicians and music biz aficionados one simple question: what made you the music fan you are today?

This installment comes from Mike Park. Besides a penchant for penning catchy acoustic tunes and playing in various punk and ska bands over the years, Mike Park is the owner of Asian Man Records. Park released his first children’s album “Smile” last year and most recently launched a label dedicated to children’s music called Fun Fun Records.

Learn how the lyrics of 7 SECONDS taught him that punk could have a powerful message.

So here I am at age 42 still very excited about the music that I started listening to when I was 14 years old.  If I were to credit one band for getting me into punk, that band would be 7 SECONDS and the album that I came to love and still love is The Crew. That was the first album that made me think about the power of lyrical content. Before that, my thought of punk was associated with silliness (which is great, I love being silly) with bands singing songs about anarchy burgers and wanting a Pepsi. The idea of feminist rights in the hardcore scene (“Not Just Boys Fun”) and racial equality (“Colorblind”) were not topics that were introduced into my little brain quite yet. But this album and band made me realize how powerful music can be.

I tore through the neighborhood with my caballero skateboard with a stencil of the 7 SECONDS logo blazed across the top and bottom. In fact, I stenciled the logo on every piece of clothing I owned and wore them proudly everywhere I went. I even stenciled it on the walls of my parents’ garage where it’s been shining brightly since 1985. Somehow I’ve been lucky enough to become friends with Kevin, Troy, and Steve. Even touring with them back in 1995 with my old band Skankin’ Pickle. And even though Kevin Seconds is part of the Asian Man family with 2 releases, I still am a little fan boy when I am in his presence. I just want to ask him questions about early shows and the hardcore scene in the 80s.

Anyways, that’s the band that got things started for me. Shaping me as a person in addition to providing amazing tunes for most of my life.