I'm using the term "punk" VERY broadly here, and don't want to act like I'm an authority on it. In my experience, though, the term has kind of morphed to include a variety of styles that have those things above in common. People would probably quibble with my definition, though.

Damn, you need to grow up already! :p Or get an ID. Here it's cool, as some of the bars and clubs will stop the mind-numbing beats for a minute or so and have shows where some truly creative bands or individual get to showcase. Even the drag queens will actually sing, as opposed to trotting out some tired lip-synching endeavour. Others have some kind of performance theatre going on while the beats go back on. Like, one place, there's a massage table in the middle of the stage and the guy gets people from the audience to strip and he massages them--sounds dirty, but it's funny and daring and interesting theatre. The music segments and the theatre are probably how it was in the old days before the gays lost their individuality to the golden god of commercialist conformity. Me'shell is really awesome--they have some of her videos at AOL music, actually, if you want to watch, and have AOL. That's how I saw the Leviticus:Faggot video.

I know she's bi, but another reason I also like Meshell is because I've always been inexplicably attracted to butch, black women. I just find them sexy as hell. :p

Whitney masterpiece I'm feeling at the moment: God Bless America, live in NYC in 1999. In this patriotic sequel to her legendary SSB performance, Whitney does what she does best: Combines earth-shattering power, clarity, and range, with a torn-from-the-gut gospelicious flair.