Summer of Peril’s Bassist Has Been Kidnapped by ICE. This Should be a Wake-Up Call
Or: an open letter to apolitical members of the local music scene
Photo by DANIEL MELCHIOR
On Christmas Day in 2025, the Colorado-based up-and-coming shoegaze band, Summer of Peril, pinned a Notes App-written post on their band’s Instagram page. The post detailed how two days prior, on December 23, their bassist, Marcos Flores, was abducted by ICE in Colorado Springs.
“Marcos does not have a criminal history, and has lived in the US his entire life,” the post said, detailing his support of the Colorado hardcore and DIY scenes. “Colorado is his home, and he has every right to be here.”
According to the Denver newspaper Westworld, ICE was waiting for Flores at the Colorado Springs Air Force Academy, where he was hired for contract work. He is currently being held at the Aurora-based ICE Detention Center, and his detention is being investigated by Colorado’s ACLU chapter.
After his detainment, the band and Flores’ family launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the legal fees for his release, which has already raised over $30,000. The band also held a benefit show on January 9, the proceeds going to Flores’ legal fund.
In his initial court hearing on January 16, his bond request was denied without explanation. As a result, Flores will stay in ICE custody until his case is contested. Since his initial abduction, Flores has been held at the detention center for over a month.
Flores is only one of many detained by ICE; in a recent report by the American Immigration Council, they found that a record 73,000 people were being held in ICE detention centers as of January – an-over 75% increase, bolstered by a $45 billion in funding as detailed in the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
In a time when even children aren’t safe from ICE kidnappings and when civilians are liable to be shot and killed by ICE agents, it is surreal to see certain musicians in the local alternative scene, whose work is built on the backs of subcultures unafraid to speak out against corruption, stay silent on this matter.
At least in New York City’s local indie scene – a place built off the backs of immigrants, where deportation have only increased despite its status as a sanctuary city – it is disheartening to see musicians be all too willing to post about their next show or single release or self-indulgent photo spread, but refuse to use what influence they have to spread awareness to their audience about their city and country being under attack. This includes local journalists, photographers, and others affiliated with the scene who claim to want to support and create community, as long as that community can cosplay the past of the indie sleaze era, ignoring the present rise in fascism in the U.S.
As the child of immigrants, I was drawn to the local music scene because I admired how rock musicians aligned their work with their personal values, advocating for justice while creating some of the most iconic albums in history. Now, I can’t help but feel alienated when I go to certain shows; if musicians in the community can’t use their privilege to take a public stand, then why should I go to their shows, buy their merch, or stream their music? What use is there to support this community when they can’t be bothered to support mine?
All art is political; to believe otherwise is to condone the cruelty of this administration.
Of course, this isn’t everyone in the scene. Although Flores’ first bond request was denied, the Colorado DIY community has continued to rally in support of Flores and his release.
Anchorfish Printing, which makes embroidered and screenprinted merch for indie bands, created a shirt for Summer of Peril, calling for Flores’ freedom. Summer of Peril will also host an additional benefit show in Fort Collins on February 19, featuring other Colorado hardcore bands such as Wolfblitzer, Suicide Cages, Bangalore, and Rukkus. Instagram comments, ranging from local Colorado scene members to fans across the country, proclaim their support for the band and Flores in their time of need.
In a time when the government wants to tear apart the fabric of this country, community is more important than ever. As supporters of a genre with a legacy of activism, it’s our job to continue that tradition. From fans spreading awareness about cases like Flores’s, to musicians holding benefit shows, it’s more important than ever to support your local indie band – but only if they’re willing to support others.