Here & Now Anytime Punk bands are still using their music to incite change
Dec 19, 2025
Grace Griffin, a digital producer and reporter, catches up with Pinkshift, a punk band resonating with activism and social justice. They discuss their album "Earthkeeper" and how it channels rage into love, tackling issues like immigration and solidarity with Palestine. The band highlights the importance of confronting societal injustices through music. Griffin dives into punk's rich history and the challenge of tokenization post-2020, all while celebrating the spirit of community and mutual aid in their musical journey.
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Origin Story At Johns Hopkins
- Pinkshift formed at Johns Hopkins when Ashreeta Kumar met Paul Vallejo and they found drummer Myron Hongbeji practicing outside a practice room.
- The band members left science careers to focus fully on music and activism.
Local Politics Fuel Their Music
- Pinkshift's proximity to D.C. shaped their political songwriting and activism.
- They've used shows and online platforms to raise funds and spotlight immigration and Palestinian issues.
Album Frames As A Human Rights Call
- The opening track Love It Here frames the album's stance: interrogating society's denial of humanity.
- Pinkshift centers marginalized groups—trans people, people of color, and women—in that critique.