This image for me is a perfect example of what the Punk movement seems to be about. Yes, I choose my words carefully and say "seems" as I believe that the Punk movement is slightly confused in it's ideology and thus makes it's message slightly unclear to me. It advocates principles of "Anarchy" however anyone who knows anything about political philosophy will tell you that real Anarchism is absolutely nowhere near anything that was ever practiced by any spiky haired, Sex Pistol loving, establishment hating nutter! Anyway, I digress as I usually do!This image is the cover for one of their well known singles "God Save the Queen". The title is in fact advocating nothing of the sort and is of course ranting about the Queen's unfair position in the world and her "fascist regime". The sentiments behind this song are of course typical of the punk ideology; anti-authoritarianism, free thought, discontent and rebellion. These ideological principles are translated into the musical sense through the making of Punk Rock.
I believe that Punk Rock was a necessary evil. Punk rock came around during the early 70's as a reaction to the then seen to be pretentious and pointless progressive rock that was being made during the 60's. Punk rock was about overturning musical conventions by doing away with real musical talent and focusing more on the "look" and "attitude" that came with the music. I for one hate Punk Rock as most of it not only doesn't appeal to my ears but more importantly is just plain amoral as it flies in the face of what music is all about; pleasing one's eardrums by stimulating one's emotions through sound. It tries to somehow pretend to be music by appealing to the listeners' desire to fit into some kind of trendy counter culture! If people want to join gangs and wear odd clothes that's fine, just please let their ears not be tainted with music that isn't anything to do with music.
Still I stand by my initial statement that Punk was necessary as I believe that it thankfully gave way to a whole new world of musical creativity as it allowed people who didn't necessarily have any musical talent to consider making it. Yes this may have lead to even more utter rubbish being recorded but that can still be put aside when one considers the bigger picture involving the music that could only have been created by the so called "non musician musicians" out there.
I say punk isn't all about anarchy, there are loads of different forms of punk, granted mainly with left wing policy, however many of it socialist (also many that doesn't focus on politics). Also the Oi! Skinhead punk scene started to gain a Nazi right wing stance and there were arguments and fights between the socialist non-racist and the Nazi. As a person from that scene I would say it isn't about spiky hair and fitting in it's an certain attitude attitude. I would also say it does reach my emotion punk has always been heavily influenced by reggae from day 1, you can hear it in the chords and lyrics. The Clash covered manya reggae tune. When I go to a punk gig it pumps ito me I feel something I don't feel when I see other music genres, the closest in fact to that feeling is some drum & bass/jungle. However I see your point and partially agree with your view on the Sex Pistols, just look at John Lydon now.
ReplyDeleteStevo, you've enlightened me! After hearing what you've said I can safely say that I haven't heard enough punk to have made a completely educated decision. I saying what I said I was really only baring in mind the small amount of punk that I know; Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop e.t.c.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it yes, you're right. I guess there must be a hell of a lot of musical punk out there and no, it can't all be about giving the blanket, nihilistic mindless "up yours" to everything it can be a number of things especially along the calm noble socialist related lines.
And Danny thank you for condensing into one sentence ("Fuck you then") my definition of Punk. The principles of anti-authoritarianism, free thought, discontent and rebellion I feel are all beautifully captured in essence in Danny's eloquent comment!
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