MovieChat Forums > The Filth and the Fury (2000) Discussion > The Definition Of Punk

The Definition Of Punk

posted 13 years ago by go_titans
2 replies | jump to latest

I've had so many arguments with people over the years on whether or not certain bands are able to be labelled as 'punk', my attitude being that outside a small handful of bands, NO ONE is worthy of the label 'punk'.

My argument is this: to me punk is not a sound or a style, but an attitude. The Sex Pistols attitude was anti-establisment...any establishment. They didn't care about fame. They didn't care about money. They didn't care about success. They didn't care if they lost their contract. They didn't care whether they offended anybody. In fact, they went out of their way to offend EVERYBODY, and that was the whole point. They were p_ssed off with what was going on right in front of their noses everyday of their lives (corrupt local government, indifferent upper class, royal family, etc), and so they got out their anger on stage and screamed about how they felt. In the words of Lydon himself, if people in the crowd mimicked them in appearance, it meant they'd misunderstood the message.

So any band out there that proudly declares themselves as 'punk', I say piffle unless they go out of their way to shout very loudly about what p_sses them off regardless of the cost to their fame and fortune - and how many bands can claim to be brave enough to do that?!

Anyone with any opinions on this?

[–] zimbo_the_donkey_boy 12 years ago

You're what's always been rock's biggest problem, not just punk's. No, rock/punk rock isn't about fashion. No, rock/punk rock isn't about about attitude. Rock/punk rock is a matter of music. I don't care what some idiot punk rocker wishes to tell me about politics. I don't care what that feeble-minded bimbo wishes to tell me about growing up strung-out on the mean streets. I want to hear some good music, and anyone who has no interest in rock music (in my case, broader than just punk) can go to hell.

[–] go_titans 11 years ago

Interesting.

I'm rock's biggest problem? I feel giddy with the realisation of such power...not that you've explained exactly how I was rock's biggest problem.

And rock/punk isn't about fashion? I never mentioned rock. I'm not talking about rock. Punk and rock are two entirely different industries, and can only be compared by someone who doesn't understand either of them.

Rock/punk is a matter of music? You have missed the point. Yes, the Sex Pistols produced music, but their attitude was exactly as I described, and in my view this formed the definition of punk during the 70s. I am simply saying that bands of today who consider themselves punk do not exhibit the same characteristics as those they are trying to emulate. As a result they mimic without guts, and therefore are nothing more than wannabees.

And you don't care what some idiot punk rocker wishes to tell you about politics? The irony of that comment raised a smile. Listen to some interviews with Lydon where he discusses what was going on in his community during his childhood and teenage years, and hear about what fueled the music and the anger (a problem which has intensified and spread over the last decade, if you bother to read the news). Oh, that's right, you're not interested (and you call Lydon an 'idiot').

Your last sentence was rather curious. Did I create the impression I was only interested in punk? My 2500 strong CD collection contains just about every genre except jazz and opera (I just can't get into those two, sorry), so stop jumping to conclusions.