Homegrown online store Savage People is hosting a flea market featuring punk-metal musicians, artists and brands from 1-8pm this Sunday, November 13th, at DNA Lounge (375 11th St.)
Started in 2013 by a group of local artists, musicians and designers, Savage People sells records, apparel, art, jewelry and comics via its website. The business also provides video production and photography for music shows, and runs its own independent record label out of Lennon Studios at Ninth and Harrison.
John Orc, one of the founders of Savage People, says the company organized the flea market as a way of unifying the local punk and metal music community. The market will showcase a variety of vendors, artists and musicians they've worked with over the years.
“We’ve been to a lot of street fairs and festivals," Orc said of his team at Savage People. "Some of the vendors we’ve met at shows have helped us out, so it’s full circle.”
Orc, who lives in Visitation Valley, plays guitar and sings vocals with his band Hemorage, which will headline Sunday's flea market. Hemorage has also designed and self-published the graphic novel Pariah through Savage People; their second comic book will be released next year.
The five Bay Area bands joining Hemorage tomorrow are Disvein, The Hukaholix, Bruja, Doc and The Parasites and Subcreature, many of whom have been friends and supporters of Savage People throughout the years.
“You hear that the San Francisco art scene is dying," Orc says. "But we’re here. We’re alive. We’re gonna bring you all we can. You can be a part of the community.”
Orc says Savage People was created as an answer to the problems he and others see with the art scene in San Francisco—namely high rents for music venues and a lack of exposure for punk and metal bands.
Savage People itself is still on the lookout for a permanent recording studio space, but for now, the team will continue recording its albums at Lennon Studios.
Sunday's flea market is free and open to all ages, and donations are encouraged. Donors will receive prizes at the door: $5 gets a tote or poster, $10 gets a shirt, and $15 gets a shirt and tote. If you want a prize, arrive early, as quantities are limited. Food and drinks will be available at the adjacent DNA Pizza.
Orc initially expected the event's turnout to be around 300 people, but based on RSVPs on the Facebook event page, that number could triple, he estimated.
The amount of support Savage People has received from vendors and bands involved in this event has been incredible, he says, and he's looking forward to branching out into new territory.
"This is our first time doing this. The whole thing has been a learning experience, and we pulled through together."
