The Birth of Punk Rock

Musically, the latter half of the 20th Century was defined by new forms and subcultures that had never previously existed. While the musical lineage of most can be traced back to earlier kinds, some of the subcultures seemed to emerge from nowhere, as if created spontaneously as a reaction to some element of society or authority. One such genre is punk.


The Birth of Punk Rock

Punk rock emerged in the mid-1970s, characterized by its raw and aggressive sound, rebellious attitude, and do-it-yourself ethos. It originated in both the United Kingdom and the United States, almost simultaneously, and both sides of the Atlantic have reasonable claims to being the originators of the sound.

The UK Punk Scene

The UK punk scene started in the larger cities like London and Manchester, where young musicians and artists were looking for an outlet to express their frustration with the social and political climate of the time.

One of the most influential bands in the UK punk scene was the Sex Pistols. Formed in London in 1975, the Sex Pistols became notorious for their controversial lyrics, aggressive sound, and rebellious image. Their album "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" is considered a punk rock masterpiece and a defining moment in music history.
During TV appearances, they appeared disdainful of interviewers and scathing of authority. While many of the older viewers saw this is uncultured arrogance, many of the younger watchers were captivated by the rebellious attitude.

Another influential band from the UK punk scene was The Clash. Known for their politically charged lyrics and eclectic musical style, The Clash blended punk rock with elements of reggae, ska, and rockabilly. Their album "London Calling" is often hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time and showcases the band's versatility and innovation.

The US Punk Scene

In the United States, punk was also taking shape during the same period. The New York City punk scene, centered around the iconic club CBGB, became a breeding ground for influential bands and artists.

The Ramones, a band from Queens, New York, are often considered the pioneers of American punk rock. With their short, fast-paced songs and stripped-down sound, The Ramones brought a new energy to the genre. Songs like "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "I Wanna Be Sedated" became anthems for the disaffected youth of the time.

From the other side of the continent, the Dead Kennedys appeared as another influential group. Hailing from San Francisco, they combined punk rock with elements of surf rock and hardcore. Their politically charged lyrics and satirical social commentary made them a force to be reckoned with.

The Structure of Punk Music

Punk rock is characterised by its simple and straightforward musical structure. Songs are often short, with fast tempos, repetitive chord progressions, and aggressive vocals. The focus is on energy and attitude rather than technical skill.

Punk lyrics are often politically charged or deal with themes of rebellion, alienation, and social commentary. The DIY ethos of punk encourages artists to express themselves authentically and without the need for expensive equipment or polished production.

Punk Fashion

Punk rock is not just about the music, it is also a subculture with its own distinctive fashion and attitude. Punk fashion emerged as a rejection of mainstream norms and a way for individuals to express their nonconformity.

In many ways, punk fashion was also a rejection of fashion, or at least a rejection of society's standards of fashion. While, brightly coloured mohawk hairstyles, ripped clothing and safety pins were a common sight in the 70s and 80s, the true definition of punk meant that you could look however you wanted.

The Influence of Punk Rock Today

Punk rock has had a lasting impact on the music industry and continues to influence artists today. Its DIY ethos and rebellious spirit have inspired countless musicians to create music on their own terms and challenge the status quo.

Punk rock's influence can be seen in various genres, including alternative rock, heavy metal and grunge. Pop-punk bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and The Offspring have all been influenced by the raw energy and attitude of punk rock.

Perhaps it's most lasting effect will be in the spirit. Society as a whole benefitted from punk, even those unfamiliar with the music, although it's maybe hard to define what that actually is...

The questioning of authority, the right of self-expression, or maybe just the "fuck you" attitude.

"You know, you don't have to know how to play.
All you just got to do is be a punk, man. We could do that"

Punk Attitude

The music and the clothing were only a part of what it truly meant to be a punk. Often self-associating with the concept of anarchy, punk attitude meant to stand against authority, to reject social class and all of the restrictions placed upon society by previous generations.

While many elements of the music have carried on and can be found in the music of today, the punk attitude also still exists, carried through in the psyche as a distrust of the state and the figures who represent it.

Punk's not dead. Punk will only die when corporations can exploit and mass produce it. - Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)

'Punk' doesn't mean mohawks and safety pins. It's about not conforming. - Patrick Stump (Fallout Boy)