Recently some kid (who probably lives in their parents 4k square foot house) with a bad mohawk and a Leftover Crack bum flap messaged me about being a "capitalist pig" and how much I suck.

To be honest, it kinda hurt my feelings. So I thought I should give past, present, and potential clients some notes on myself and this business.

Please rest assured, I'm not rolling a benz and feasting on lobster with my pin profits. More like rockin' value menus and bumming rideshares. I still work a real job too.

I listen to everything. No really, everything. Hank Williams, Jay-Z, Beethoven. I dig music, simple as that. I work with all kinds of bands. Electro bands, hardcore bands, metal bands, indie bands, everything!

But in my heart, punk rock is "home". Punk is the first scene I dove into with both feet. Although I'll listen to anything I think sounds good, I have a special respect for artists who keep it D.I.Y. That's my background. D.I.Y. venues and dives. 3 chords and cheap 40's. I still try to go to as many shows as I can. Gas and cover charges aren't cheap these days though.

I go to shows. I've played in bands. I've put shows and benefits together. I've been on small tours. I know what its like to need to sell just one more cd or you're not gonna have gas money to make it to the next town. I know how important merch can be.

I'll be the first to tell you, I'm not the cheapest pin slinger in the game. I am, however, not the most expensive. Likewise, I don't skimp on materials. I don't buy the cheapest parts, the cheapest paper or the cheapest ink. I try to get you the good shit, and it shows in my work. You might find cheaper, however, I doubt you'll find better for your buck.

A lot of my regular customers found me after unhappiness with other places. They've stuck with me, however, as true regulars. I think that says something.

Not to mention, every pins is made by hand with love. Some of the other guys have huge machines worth thousands of dollars that spit pins out faster than you can blink.

I am still, however, working these guys.

I can't work as fast as the people with big machines. Most days I usually scrape out slightly better than minimum wage.

However, I've invested too much time, money, blood and sweat to walk away from this now. I do it becasue I love working with bands. I love sampling their music. I love finding awesome underground acts. I love supporting my local scene. I don't make it to as many shows as I'd like now, so this feels like I'm giving back in my own way.

And I'm sorry I charge for my services, I guess that makes me a capitalist pig. I guess it makes me not diy or punk rock. Regardless of my political and economic beliefs, we still live in a capitalist society and I still have to eat.

I try to give the best service I can and charge a price that is fair to you and myself both. If you don't like it, I'm sorry. If you want free pins, you need to go elsewhere. But if you want to help another working class dude who loves music as much as you... so maybe he can buy a fuckin' $2.49 subway of the day, I'm your man.