Hattiesburg DIY Music Scene History
1990s: Humble Beginnings
In the early 1990s, Tal’s Dart Bar hosted local punk acts like Before I Hang and brought in touring bands such as The Jesus Lizard. College-town energy from USM students fueled small shows in bars and art spaces.
2000s: Venues and Growth
The Thirsty Hippo opened in 2000, anchoring the scene downtown. T-Bones Records & Cafe became a hub for indie, punk, and metal, hosting in-store shows, while other bars like Jazmo’s and Tal’s Dart Bar kept rock alive.
2010s: House-Show Renaissance
Young organizers transformed living rooms into DIY venues: Spice World, The Looney Bin, and Momo’s Haunted Mansion hosted all-ages punk and hardcore. Labels like Earth Girl Tapes released local cassette tapes, and the Hub City Madness festival launched in 2015.
2020s: Continued Evolution
Bands like MSPAINT brought national attention in 2023. House shows resumed after the pandemic. The Thirsty Hippo reopened downtown, and venues like The Tavern and The Switchyard host metal, hardcore, and punk weekly. Hattiesburg remains a DIY hotspot.