As far back as my first punk show as an Iowa City resident, I would continue to hear calls to action to vote against a bill being proposed to spend $125 million on building a new jail within Johnson County. It seemed like a persistent issue with little in the way of progress, as those with any power to stop it were refusing to listen to the pleas of concerned citizens. So when I saw the announcement of a show to protest this very bill, I knew it was something I couldn’t miss out on.
In collaboration with Johnson County Deserves Better (one of the premiere organizations fighting the jail), and hosted at the Great Plains Action Society’s new Iowa City location. I was already able to tell this show’s deep connection toward many of Iowa City’s charity and social work organizations. This feeling carried on stepping into the venue and seeing tables for even more activist groups such as the Iowa City Mutual Aid and Iowans for Palestine. With both countless show regulars and new faces crowding the venue, it gave me a warm feeling seeing so many people eager to show up to support their community, and set a nice tone for the beginning of the show.
Starting off the night was a fascinating performance from Precious, the dungeon synth side project of Iowa City councilman and musician Oliver Weilein. While being predominantly known in the music scene for his punk bands such as BOOTCAMP and Death Kill Overdrive. This sees a drastic switch up from his usual style, using entirely synth based electronic production to create this dark almost medieval sounding set reminiscent of the “dungeon” title. Feeling incredibly cinematic, with swarming crescendos and lo-fi textures to really set this night’s mood. Throughout his whole set he wore this large black medieval style cloak, almost looking like some sort of ancient executioner. While the metaphor may have not been intentional, it made me think about our human history of carceral punishment and penalty for crimes. While we as a society may have become less outwardly barbaric since the middle ages, we still see the remnants of these same ideologies and systems within our society and the building of this new jail is extremely emblematic of that.
Next up was Submission, a recent addition to the Iowa City hardcore scene made up of many punk scene veterans. This includes Dolly Sperry (guitarist for Bootcamp, and owner of Pokey’s Records), who made a very compelling opening speech. Speaking predominately on the failure of our prison system and policing to successfully deter crime or make our communities safer. Decidedly drawing from her own past experiences with Iowa City law enforcement, including an overnight jail stay in 2025 where she was arrested for sticking up for a different community member who a cop was using excessive force against. This led to the city creating some really unnecessary charges against her in an attempt to have her jailed for up to a month. Thankfully she beat the case, but it perfectly exemplifies the extremely harsh and unforgiving nature of our justice system. After this she went on to talk about how you shouldn’t apply this same kind of carceral mindset to other social circles in your life, such as music scenes. Everyone deserves second chances, and excessive punishment isn’t necessarily a deterrent to bad behaviors.
Their sound was also incredible, leaning both sonically and aesthetically into a more gothic metallic style of punk that really continued the medieval vibe of the show. The blistering guitar riffs, intense drumming and manic vocal style really brought up the audience’s energy as the pit began to open and everyone’s faces lit up. It was an incredibly fun set and a great segway into the next two bands.
What could I even say about BOOTCAMP? Seriously, if you haven’t seen them play yet please do yourself a favor and get to a gig. Their incredibly fast and heavy but equally fun and danceable flavor of punk makes for such an amazing live experience. Just pleading for your body to move in some sort of way. Added by Julliette’s phenomenally energetic vocal performance and their very catchy yet topical lyrics on the right wing hellscape we currently inhabit. There’s a reason they’ve become not only an Iowa staple, but an internationally touring diy powerhouse. On top of all of their abilities as musician’s, they make for really positive community builders. Towards the end of the set, their drummer Oliver Weilein made a speech on the importance of fighting these issues as a community and uplifting each other. Pointing out multiple different non profit groups that are doing great work in and outside of Johnson County. Highlighting how there’s always places to find your voice and organize with other likeminded individuals. They finished off the performance with their iconic song September 11th and ushered in the beginning of the final set.
Hailing all the way from Philadelphia, Poison Ruin cranked up the show’s unofficial medieval theme ten fold. Known for their middle ages aesthetic and dark politically charged music, they were the perfect for this bill. Playing a more varied style of hardcore music inspired by genres like gothic rock and post punk, the band was able to switch things up in a fun way while still having the whole room moshing. Keeping the energy flowing as their shredding guitar riffs and booming basslines pierce my eardrums. Lead singer Mac Kennedy’s vocals stayed incredibly on point being both catchy and melodic, while maintaining that harsh dark sound. Even swapping vocal lines with other members of the band showing off the group’s infectious chemistry. I really respect the band’s choice not only to play in Iowa City, but to make a touring set an explicitly political one. Helping to fight a cause not directly affecting them, in a city nearly a thousand miles away. In a world of Ed Sheeran’s, be a Poison Ruin.
Finally as the set wraps up, Vivienne Olson (a member of Johnson County Deserves Better), got in front of the mic and made a speech getting more into the details of this potential bill and the harm it will inevitably cause. Emphasizing the importance of caring for and uplifting the people around you, especially when our state fails to do so. If you want to hear more about her and her organizations platform, we have a much longer interview with them on our YouTube channel that I would highly recommend listening to. Everyone from that organization are incredible organizers, and extremely compelling to listen to.
Despite me trying my best to communicate it here, I don’t think I was quite able to capture the feeling it was like to be in that room. Being able to see your anger at society shared and taken seriously by so many other people is a very affirming feeling, especially in a society as lacking in empathy as ours. As Iowa’s state government pushes further and further toward fascism, and even our democratic candidates flirt with stripping trans rights and collaborating with ICE. It’s more important than ever to be there for the people around you. So go out, support your local music scene, see what organizations around you are doing direct action work, listen to communities being affected by our current administrations and see what you can do to help. If there’s anywhere we can make an impact, it’s right here.
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