Hyperactive Youth

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                       The 1980's, all across the U.S. a faster stripped down version of punk called "Hardcore" was making its presence felt. From Los Angeles to Richmond , Virginia kids were forming bands, putting out zines,trading music cassette tapes and booking their own shows. At this time Hardcore was free of corporate sponsorship and major lable distribution. Shows took place in any type of venue you could think of, from kitchens in homes to V.F.W. halls. These shows were promoted through word of mouth and hand made flyers. It was truly a music revolution, Hardcore challenged every accepted standard in society and the music business. Because of this it made little inroads into mainstream culture.

              Pensacola was no exception, the roots of underground music in the city can be traced to two venues. The Handlebar and the infamous McGuiganns Speakeasy.  In the early 1980's this is where early punk and new wave bands first played, even alternative superstars R.E.M.  played @ McGuiganns. Eventually McGuiganns became the Mix,  and this is where the Hardcore scene in Pensacola grew out of.

        From late 1984 to the fall of 1985 the Mix hosted weekly all ages shows, with sporadic gigs taking place @ the Handlebar. Things were going great and there was always a gig to see and usually a party to attend afterwards. In the fall of 1985 the Mix was demolished after it was purchased by the Pensacola Glass Company. Two Matinee all ages shows took place @ the Cinema Tavern ( known now as the Silver Screen) located behind University Mall. These shows were put on by Vik Kaos guitarist and vocalist of  Maggot Sandwich and Darryl Sedgwick of the Soundbox Record Store (where Elvis Jones of East Hill CD got his start) after these gigs, all ages shows were not taking place in town any longer.

        Steven Winfrey (probably the 1st Hardcore/Punk in Pensacola) and a local aspiring artist by the name of Thomas Manning, had formed a small crew called Hyperactive Youth near the end of 1984. HY could be found @ local and out of town shows handing out flyers on different subjects involving politics and unity in the Hardcore scene. They also put out a short lived zine called "Zero Expectations". Other members of HY included Mike Wilder, Jim McKean future N.C.S., Blount and Hollywood Hate guitarist Pensacola Bob (Peterson) and Tony Butler.

     As I wrote earlier, all ages shows had stopped in town. In December of 1985 Suicidal Tendencies played @ the Handlebar, this was probably the largest and most rowdy show to date in Pensacola ,I believe about 400 people were in attendence. Never the less the Police shut down the gig after 45 minutes. Black Flag kicked off the new year of 1986 @ the Handlebar as well but this show was very small. 

    Thomas Manning stepped forward and urged us (HY) to do our own all ages gigs. We had grown tired of traveling out of town to see gigs, so we approached Vik from Maggot Sandwich. He told us the basics, and agreed to rent us his PA for the shows. Our 1st gig took place @ the Metropolitan Community Church on Alcaniz. We booked regional bands for this one, Legion Of Decency (MS) Vomit Spots (Mobile)  and Dispersion (Mobile), this show also was the debut gig for a local group called The Headless Marines.We handed out flyers everywhere and made loads of phone calls. We expected 50 to 70 people, over 300 showed up. Unfortunately the police came, however I was able to talk them out of closing down the show. It was a great success, but we were not allowed to come back. 

          Thomas immediately found a new venue. This time it was the Western Gateway Lions Club. Over the next 4 months we put on some of the best Hardcore shows Pensacola had ever seen. GBH, Agnostic Front, Doggy Style, Melvins and Straw Dogs were just some of the bands that played. It was a great time , but by the end of the summer we were all broke and had had enough of the production business. 

 Thomas' motivation had saved the Hardcore scene in Pensacola. I often wonder what would have happened if we had not done these shows. It is probably certain that things would have completely disappeared. At  the end of 1986 John  Fivgas took over things in town with his Avant Garde Promotions and booked both Hardcore and Alternative shows for the next year and a half.

In May of 2006 HY re-united and put on the now infamous 20th Anniversary gig @ the Handlebar over 300 people attended, the show also received local and national media coverage. In November of 2006 former members of HY and other friends from the Pensacola scene gathered @ the home of Thomas Manning in Chicago and then attended Riot Fest 2006 featuring Naked Raygun and 7 Seconds, this was one of the best weekends in history! On July 27th 2007 our dear friend and comrade Thomas J.Manning suddenly passed away while visiting his in-laws in Nebraska.Thomas was unaware that he had a rare disease called "Sarcoidosis" he was only 40 years old.

   Thomas was survived by his wife Christine, his brothers Clay and Dan and their mother. Anyone who has ever attended a show in Pensacola owes Thomas a debt of gratittude.He helped inspire a group of young friends to do something that no other group of young people in Pensacola had ever done. He was a successful Horror/Fantasy artist with a BFA in art from the Kansas City Art Institute. His artwork was used by Warhammer,Dungeons and Dragons plus numerous gaming companies and magazines  We hope you will all come out and enjoy this show in his memory!