At the mouth of a creek tunnel under the highway interchange at Mopac Expressway and Cesar Chavez Street, there is a graffiti-covered slab of concrete that serves as the epicenter of Austin’s underground hardcore scene.
The unofficial venue, known simply as the “tunnels” served as a secretive meeting ground for countercultural musical performances for decades. According to Bryan C. Parker of the Austin Monthly, it all began in the 1970s when hippies would meet there for drum circles every full moon. Now, punk rock lovers gather in the hundreds to listen to loud music.
“The people get lively here,” said Owen Vincent, the vocalist for a sludge metal band called Mallories. “They like it, the DIY, the culture.”
Vincent and his band frequently play in the tunnels.
Since many bars and venues charge patrons for entry or don’t allow minors, the tunnels are popular among high school and college students. For young bands, the tunnels are an opportunity to get their name out there. Mallories is one of those bands. They were formed in 2022 by four students from Anderson High School.
In the crowd at a tunnels show, Mallories seem like perfectly normal guys. They stray away from the flashy punk look of all-black outfits, makeup and chains that the other bands frequently wear; they come across as nice and welcoming. But then, the four go on stage and after a brief soundcheck, become an audible force to be reckoned with.
Antonio Cruz on the drums provides a heavy, thrashing beat. Bassist Eddie Otto and guitarist Flynn Crawford generate an angry low tone, driving along the pulse of the song. High above all of this comes the piercing voice of Vincent.
When the music gets quieter, the crowd opens up to form a pit and the members stand around in a circle, waiting for their cue to mosh. As soon as the cymbals crash and Vincent begins to test the limits of his vocal cords, the pit closes. From on top of the tunnel entrance, the crowd looks like a swarm of ants, pushing each other, swinging their arms and occasionally knocking each other down.
Mallories said the crowd is their favorite part about playing at the tunnels.
“It makes me happy that we can contribute to these people and give them a space to go wild and just let loose a bit,” Cruz said.
The crowd can get rowdy, with occasional bonfires, firecrackers and fights. But that doesn’t stop the community from keeping it a positive environment.
“Everybody at the tunnels looks out for each other, and you see that most when people start misbehaving,” said frequent show-goer, Isabel Salome. “If one person is messing with someone, 10 strangers will come to help as if we’re all family.”
The tunnels give people a platform to support local and international communities. Local journalists can be found selling small, punk-centered magazines and artisans sell homemade jewelry, t-shirts and other products to benefit humanitarian aid in Gaza.
As underground hardcore culture continues to grow in Austin, the tunnels attract more and more visitors.
“If you’re thinking about coming to the tunnels, just be respectful,” Vincent said. “We’re all here to just hang out and chill, listen to cool music and mosh for fun.”
Information about tunnels concerts can be found on Instagram stories, posters in high school bathroom stalls and by word of mouth. If you’re interested in going, just ask a punk.