New Kids on The Block
How a young teenage punk band is championing authenticity and acceptance
In the darkened room, the crowd of a couple hundred young and old punk enthusiasts moshes and cheers as the Michigan-based band Kat Karnage performs their fan favorite “I Dare You,” as well as new tracks from their first EP.
However, this isn’t your average punk show, as the three performers are still in high school. Margaret Buist, the lead singer, is 14 years old; Miles Vargic, the drummer, is 15 years old; and Eleanor Welniak, the bassist, is 14 years old.
Kat Karnage began just a few short years ago when Buist and Welniak met at a fine arts camp. Soon, they became fast friends, and Vargic, who was a friend of a friend, quickly hit it off with them and learned to play the drums. They began playing music in Vargic’s garage and then eventually moved to Buist’s basement.
Now, the trio is releasing their first EP. On the EP is one of their favorite songs they’ve created together, “Sucker Punch,” which is the title track and is about Buist’s cat and also mental illness. They also have a song, “Egg,” which is about the transgender experience.
“The premise is figuring out your identity and the complications that come along with that,” Buist explained of the project.
The band draws inspiration from a wide range of music, especially Riot grrrl bands like Bikini Kill and others.
These teenagers are examples to their peers and adults alike when it comes to embracing their identity and accepting themselves. Through the punk scene, they’ve had the opportunity to meet a wide range of incredible people who’ve helped them see the importance of authenticity, especially at a young age.
“It’s so freeing to act like yourself after a really long time of trying to appeal to everyone around you,” Vargic said.
Punk is a genre that has been around since the mid-1970s, rejecting many of the corporate aspects of mainstream rock music. Typically, punk is characterized by exploring anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian themes. While punk is often a younger genre, it’s rare to have young teenagers creating and thriving in this space. A huge key to their success has been having parents who support and embrace their creativity and identity.
“I think kids are always trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. Once they start to get the answers to those questions, they unlock incredible potential to do what they’re good at. There’s a freedom to figuring out who you are, and it looks a little different for everybody. I’m really proud of what Margaret is doing,” Kevin Buist, Margaret Buist’s father, said.
Having parental support has given the band the confidence to be authentically themselves, even when friends and peers have gone back into the closet out of fear of being judged.
“I’ve met all the people who really truly care about me by being who I actually am,” Welniak said.
You can check out Kat Karnage’s work anywhere that you stream music. The single, “Sucker Punch” is out today anywhere you get music, and the full EP will be available to stream online soon.