It wasn't a job for ARA (Anti-Racist Action, for those playing along at home). The hardcore gangs, as well as the skinheads, were by and large either anti-racist (e.g. SHARP skins) or apolitical (e.g. they just like to fight).
And more broadly, I didn't want to fight these groups' existence, or even their presence. I just wanted to come home from shows without chipped teeth, you know?
When it began spreading out of Boston and becoming more of an actual gang is when going to hardcore shows stopped being fun for me. I was tired of having to constantly worry about bumping into someone and see people get beat up for no reason just became depressing.
And more broadly, I didn't want to fight these groups' existence, or even their presence. I just wanted to come home from shows without chipped teeth, you know?