what is punk really? (and anarcho-punk and pop-punk for that matter?)
Hi, I would like to discuss and try to understand what punk rock really is as a musical genre and a culture and way of life. Before I do so, I should probably tell you a bit about my background. If you don't care about this then just skip the next paragraph.
I was born in '91 and one of the first bands I ever listened to was Green Day. Then Sum 41, Weezer, and Fall Out Boy followed, among others, I grew up listening to these bands and they remain among my absolute favorite to this day. At the time, I thought these bands were full-on punk bands. I didn't know any better. Recently, I began to understand what punk really is. I've listened to countless other bands since then, but I only started listening to "real punk" recently. I started with Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash and also listened to "protopunk" bands who were the "precursors of punk" such as Iggy Pop (The Stooges), Buzzcocks, The Who and others. I started to understand what punk really is about, and realized those bands I listened to when I was young are more of "pop-punk." Then, I started getting confused about what is pop-punk really? And what is real punk?
I don't really understand what punk is all about. At first, from listening to "pop-punk" bands, I thought punk was about doing whatever you want, being who you are, and not caring about what other people think. As I listened to the "innovators" of punk (Pistols, Ramones etc) my understanding of punk didn't change too much. Although, I began to understand it as a revolution, a rebellion against what rock had become. This is how I understand it: Rock used to be about "stickin' it to the man," "fighting the powers that be," etc etc. And for a time, Rock succeeded, but then, rock was becoming commercialized. Bands like AC/DC and The Who were doing commercials and earning loads of money, and becoming part of the corrupted system. And in terms of music, rock became all about high notes, insane 12-minute guitar solos, and songs about love. This seemed to be a tragic irony. Punk rockers wanted to get Rock back to its roots, with simple songs and rhythms about rebellion and anarchy. They instilled a new culture of the DIY ethic and preached anti-establishment and whatnot. Thus, punk was born through bands like the Pistols and Ramones.
Although, one thing I don't understand is where punk went from there. I mean, the Ramones are probably the most recognizable punk band of all time, they have merchandise all over the place. Johnny Rotten ended up doing commercials, and Pistols songs are playing all over the place, I just heard "Anarchy In The UK" on the TV show "That 70s Show." Does any of this mean anything?
What exactly is punk ideology? Where does hardcore punk fit in? Is punk really about anarchy? Or is that only restricted to anarcho-punks? Then what do punk rockers believe in? The first anarcho-punk band I listened to was Crass and they totally blew my mind. I was hugely impressed with Sex Pistols and Ramones, but when I listened to Crass, I thought, "Now, THIS is punk." Crass is loud, fast, angry, and delivered a message, a message that actually meant something. Listening to Crass made me want to shave my head and throw bricks at the nearest retail store. hahaha Crass championed anarchy, they seemed to embody the DIY ethic and anti-establishment culture that I had identified punk with. To be honest, I thought they embodied it better than Sex Pistols or Ramones. Then, I watched the Crass documentary "There Is No Authority But Yourself." I was glad to see that Crass weren't posers, they lived up to everything they said. I mean, they got a warning from the British parliament. Now, THAT is punk. hahaha.
Is this what punk is really about? Anarchy and anti-establishment? Or is punk more about doing whatever you want and not giving a *beep* Because there are bands that embody both ideals and bands that only embody the latter, i.e. less political. Bands like Good Charlotte, Blink 182, and Simple Plan. I never really listened to these bands, but where do they fit in?
This brings me to pop-punk. Bands like Green Day and Sum 41 are constantly being berated for "not being punk." I can't tell you how many youtube comment boards I've seen that are debating whether or not they are punk. At first, I agreed that they are not punk and classified them as pop-punk. But then, I really began to think about it. Musically, they embody punk through fast, loud songs with simple rhythms and melodies. Lyrically, they do as well with songs about challenging authority, society, and the government, So, what makes them not punk? It is because they "sold out?" because they have videos on MTV? because Green Day has a Grammy? If a punk band is popular or successful, then are they no longer considered punk? Bad Religion singed with a major label, The Adicts have songs in video games and stuff. Isn't punk all about doing whatever you want, having fun, being yourself and not giving a *beep* It seems that Green Day and Sum 41 never forgot that, so why does it matter how much money they have, or how successful they are, if they are still punk in spirit? They are definitely not anarcho-punk or hardcore punk and have abandoned the DIY ethic, because they have indeed become part of the corrupt system by signing with major labels, being on commercials and TV shows and other things, but I still believe they embody the essential punk ideal. I think I would still classify them as punk. Well, their early stuff at least. Both of them have changed their sound a bit as of late.
Please keep in mind that I'm not trying to "troll" on anybody or anything like that. I just want to better understand what punk really is about. Honestly, I don't even care about these labels. I don't care if Green Day is punk or not, they are still one of my favorite bands. I'm just generally fascinated by the punk movement and want to better understand it.
Anyway, I'd appreciate your feedback on this. Sorry for the long post. :D
------
This is my signature. There are many like it, but this one is mine.