Punk in the Ruhr Area: Between the stuffy mentality of allotment gardens and a defiant attitude, an independent subculture of bands, concert venues, shops, labels, and fanzines has developed since the late 1970s, far removed from the flashy marketing bubbles of a metropolis, in line with the Do-It-Yourself ethos. Some of the first German punk bands saw the light of day in the Ruhr area. Today, the Punk im Pott festival, the Impact mail order, and the Plastic Bomb fanzine are based in the Ruhr area and have an influence that extends far beyond the region. Musically, the repertoire ranges from bands like Bluttat or the Upright Citizens, influenced by the early political hardcore of the 1980s, to sophisticated gems like Eisenpimmel, the Kassierer, or the local heroes. The latter three consistently prove to be important exports.