The economy may be in the toilet, but that isn't slowing some young concert goers from seeing their favorite bands shred licks and scream through choruses. Au contraire: Bay Area music fans are continuing to be a part of what the underground punk scene has always been about: all-ages, do-it-yourself shows.

"I wouldn't give up basement shows," Craig Billmeier, guitarist of Alameda-based Love Songs, said of performing outside the traditional music club or bar. His band has seen moderate success and, despite playing larger venues, still enjoys sweaty, stuffed shows put on without promoters or security guards.

"I like the exchange of energy (between a band and its fans), which is the opposite of being up on a big stage."

He believes that most good bands start out playing in basements and similarly-practical concert spaces. And just like the often-broke musicians playing their hearts out, many of the people attending the concerts do so because of their affordability.

"There's no rules and you can party and have fun," Evan Payne, 30, said of his reasons for going to such concerts. "Plus, you don't have to buy $10 beers."
Many of these concerts happen in houses or warehouses but one popular venue is the Mission's Thrillhouse Records.

The store, until recently, regularly hosted shows consisting of little-known bands performing for people of any wealth. Most entry fees were by donation.

And that's what makes this the record store different from most other San Francisco music venues: money making is not the goal.

"Thrillhouse Records is a not-for-profit, all volunteer-run record store, label and space," its website states. "Every penny the store and label make is spent to buy new records, put out new records or improving our space in some way."

The store at 30th and Mission streets has been in business for more than two years and has survived thanks to its various support. Just ask Rudek, a part-time volunteer.

Rudek (who didn't want his last name printed) volunteers at the record store every Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. He is one of about a dozen volunteers helping run the modest-sized shop.

"I get to listen to music," he said of his motives for helping. He, like others involved, has a loyalty to the shop, which continues to be an active meeting space for the San Francisco punk scene.

"I've been coming here since the beginning," he said.

Rudek sells mostly music, but t-shirts, artwork, magazines and books are also for offered. Stacks of upcoming concert fliers help contribute to the store's unique character and proves its importance to the scene.

The Polish-born music fan has been volunteering for about nine months. He enjoys playing records during his shift, which helps him learn about new music. The neighbors upstairs haven't yet complained to him about the music being too loud.

Shortly after opening in early 2007, underground bands from around the world started booking gigs in the store's short, dank basement. The fans came, many of whom had a hard time finding all-ages venues that hosted punk rock bands in San Francisco.

The demand for an all-ages, do-it-yourself space proved strong and soon several shows a week were happening. The State Fire Marshall eventually showed up and told those involved to stop the shows. But those involved wouldn't let that ruin their scene's fun.

A group of people, some of whom were involved in Thrillhouse Records' concert organizing, is currently seeking a new venue to let their music be heard. The group hopes to have the new space for their favorite music soon, but until then, smaller, more sporatic shows will have to do. And thus the punk scene pushes on.

"People will always keep trying (to create D.I.Y. shows)," Billmeier said of the organized group's attempt at starting a new creative space. "And they'll always keep doing it."