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Rant: What do you call punk these days?

Contributed by coldjuly. Posted by Scott on Tuesday, September 4, 2001 at 1:44 AM (EDT)

"Ok, do we even know what punk is exactly???"
This isn't the most well-written rant, but I think it will stir up some good discussion, which is always beneficial for the mind. Lets just keep things intelligent in the comments section, okay kids?

Ok, do we even know what punk is exactly??? The things I hear are so divided, such as punk is a type of music, a style or an attitude..Personally I Love punk and hardcore music but its become so PC these days where when you try to define it it just leaves you confused.

I sure as hell cant define it...is it a type of music??? or an attitude..some rap bands are considered punk because of their attitude, or is it that if a band plays fast hardly understandable music that their punk. you confused yet? I sure am.

In the late 70's early 80's punk music was unmistakable...most of it was really quick, fast, angry and political..but today like most music It has developed into many many catagories. pop punk, skate punk, Oi...the list goes on and on and on...

What I really want to know..whats your definition??? Personally Im going with the "punk is an attitude" more than anything...Hell, I dont have the attitude..I just appreaciate the music and the influence its given me over the past 10 years. Keep the comments rollin in.... I want to what you think and your opinions. cuz everyone loves a good debate.

Rants! (44 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

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jheisel (September 4, 2001)

I don't think "punk" has ever had an identifiable sound. I mean, tell me what is similar between the Ramones, X-Ray Spex, Television, Blondie, The Clash, etc. Punk is a lifestyle more than anything. It is embracing the DIY ethos and being critical of the mainstream [note: being critical of the mainstream does not mean that you have to dislike everything the mainstream offers]. I definitely don't listen to much music that most people would consider "punk" these days, but I sure as fuck consider myself punk. And I'll consider myself as such until I sign a 10 million dollar contract with Warner Brothers to join the next version of the Backstreet Boys.

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Someone (September 10, 2001)

i call your mom a punk in bed when i'm pumping her ass hard with my cock!

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

Punk is a way of life. You know when someone says their a punk, it's meaning that the person lives the life as a punk. The person listens to that music, he has the attitude, sometimes even the style goes in their, and knows much things about the punk and how it has developed.

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

Yeah but politics really doesn't have anything to do with being punk, the ramones didn't sing about that kind of shit, and they started punk. Singing about politics has been a part of music forever, but became a mainstay in the 60s with artists like Bob Dylan. To say that you need to be political to be punk is bullshit. Punk is a I'm gonna be and think for myself attidue. To be punk you do, dress, and listen to whatever you feel like, and don't let anyone else tell you differently. Torn clothes, colored hair, no matter how you look at it its fashion and doesn't make you punk, just look at all the little kids that don't know any punk bands other than blink 182 and sum41. Not that that is truely a bad thing, but a perfect example. We all had to start somewhere, right?

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

Punk for the most part is your certain beliefs and ideals. Just doing what you want, of course without tending to the masses.

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

But remember if you want to have a political agenda, you must respect what people have to say and let them have their own "be myself attitude" rather than calling them commie faggots when they are explaining what their song is about on stage.

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mintfloss (September 4, 2001)

Just got read Greg Graffin's essay on badreligion.com Just look for the essay archive. I think he covers it in his 10-page essay. Not that I agree with what he has to say. In fact, I find it silly what he wrote.

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ETx310 (September 4, 2001)

Now that were talking about punk and politics, I'll try to dig a little deeper. What do you guys think is the most relevant or the most positive thing that comes out of punk rock today? There's no denying that a lot of records are being sold and that a lot of money is being made as a result of this music, but what is to come out of all this? When someone questions whether political issues should belong in punk rock, I have to wonder this question. As I have gotten older, songs about drinking, or girls, or teen agnst have become less important. However, to use this music as a form of communication to let kids know of the bigger problems in this world is, what I think, a wonderful thing. That's what punk rock has always been to me, a way to communicate. If you're just looking for a reason to piss off your parents, maybe you should go back to your NWA or Megadeath albums

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

Johnny Cash, ECW, and Operation Ivy. Everything else is tainted.

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

Haha....i gotta agree. ECW was punk as fuck.

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Someone (September 6, 2001)

not anymore, they sold out to one of the bigger federations. i don't know which one, because wrestling is for moronic rednecks.- fathead

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Someone (September 6, 2001)

fathead - no, they didn't. they went bankrupt. the wwf is now using their trademark since their owner works for them and allows them too. regardless, ecw is in bankruptcy court and has not "sold out". your generalizations bore me. do you ever get out of your parents basement?

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Someone (September 7, 2001)

"my team was wrestling" - lars frederickson

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sickboi (chris) (September 4, 2001)

Punk is my dog. He doesn't give a fuck about anyone. He goes and acts as he pleases, if he doesn't like you he'll let you know and he's pissed on people that have ticked him off....thats punk. Good rant, where the hell is mine? I submitted a pretty decent one last week but it didn't show up. I guess I'm just a little too vocal sometimes...

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punk_kid (September 6, 2001)

heh, i liked your rant on plagerism man.(if thats spelt correctly)

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

this is like the lamest fucking post ever

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

punk is me.- fathead

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sickboi (chris) (September 4, 2001)

Punk is yer mom, she's a riot girl, right?

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

no my mom is the leader of a sataic cult that sacrifices young puppies to the devil on wednesday nights, after their ritualistic viewing of Different Strokes. I guess that makes her kinda goth, but the fact of the matter still stands, punk is me. fathead

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

Ugh, do we have to go thru this argument again

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

this arguments probably been going on for a long time. the fact is that its bullshit. if punk is dead, then its arguments like this that killed it. and if its not dead, then its arguments like this that are killing it.

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Someone (September 6, 2001)

great philosophical questions will always be analyzed and argued over by the brilliant teachers, the confused laymen, the ambitious students, and the idiots of the world.

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

I feel that punk is a lifestyle, a way of being. I don't think it's that "fast upbeat" stuff, because that's only been around for a couple of years. That fast-paced skate-punk stuff has only been around for a couple and it's not that it isin't punk rock, it was just a new wave of it's own. Listen to ramones, do you think that's fast upbeat kind of stuff? no. Sex Pistols? no. The Ramones got together out of boredom and they didn't really have much talent, but it was the fact that they said that they didn't give a fuck and still went on with it, made them punk. It's the way you are. It's not spikey green hair and a leather jacket anymore, it's about what you believe in. Just because I listen to Blink-182 doesn't exactly mean I'm not "punk rock" because my music tastes extend beyond potty humour, even though I find it very funny. A lot of people that ques

show rest of commentI feel that punk is a lifestyle, a way of being. I don't think it's that "fast upbeat" stuff, because that's only been around for a couple of years. That fast-paced skate-punk stuff has only been around for a couple and it's not that it isin't punk rock, it was just a new wave of it's own. Listen to ramones, do you think that's fast upbeat kind of stuff? no. Sex Pistols? no. The Ramones got together out of boredom and they didn't really have much talent, but it was the fact that they said that they didn't give a fuck and still went on with it, made them punk. It's the way you are. It's not spikey green hair and a leather jacket anymore, it's about what you believe in. Just because I listen to Blink-182 doesn't exactly mean I'm not "punk rock" because my music tastes extend beyond potty humour, even though I find it very funny. A lot of people that question Blink-182 not being punk is just pure bullshit, go back to 1994 when they didn't have that money and were working hard to sell a couple of records. Now people look at them and see an image of success and automatically slam them for "selling out".. selling records does not mean "selling out" just because your music appeals to more new amounts of fresh people does not mean that you're a fake, a sellout or most of all, not punk. Blink still doesn't give a fuck, and evey decision they make is based on them. Just like Johnny Rotten, just like Sid Vicious.. don't slam a band cause they make money, because that my friend, is a fake. Punk Rock is also about unity, I'm tired of seeing everyone divided in the community, from the "emo kids" to the angry "hardcore kids".. we all got to come together and prove everyone that we aren't a bunch of stereotypes. We have to stand up for what we believe in and remain as one. The most punk rock guy I have ever met wore a suit to work and was really succesfull, and I'm sure if he walked down the street and I said to you that he was punk rock, you'd probably call him a fake and stake claim that you're more punk than he is. Cause that's bullshit, and that's the repetitive shit I keep talking about. Unity is punk rock.

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

People are fucking stupid. Check out the book, 'Real Conversations #1' by V. Vale. There is an interview with Henry Rollins. I think he pretty much defines what 'punk' is all about in that interview. It isn't 'image' or 'attitude' or any of that. Also, before people start bitching about whether Rollins & Black Flag were or weren't punk. Just read the interview.

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

why don't you give us the down and dirty of it?

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Someone (September 4, 2001)

i agree with everything you said, except the defense of blink 182. they are walking advertisments in the most pathetic piece of american culture today, mainstream pop music. sure they may have worked hard at first, but now that they've realized people will pay them big bucks just to look a certain way or sound a certain way, they've lost what little balls they once had. 'sell out' is overused, but it fits their case perfectly. i guess i like bashing them a little too much, but it's so easy.- fathead

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Someone (September 5, 2001)

sellout is not only overused, it is a relic from a time when punk had no chance of being mainstream. But ever since Nirvana opened the doors for alternative, punk has been thrust into the mainstream and there is really no coming back, either you accept it or you bitch about it, but its still there and will probably for a long time.

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Someone (September 5, 2001)

very true. as long as there is music there will be 'sell outs'. i wouldn't exactly say nirvana opened the doors. they were responsible for the big boom in the early nineties, but there were punk and alternative bands that were popular before them. Billy Idol,Devo,Police, they all had at least a little punk to their music.- fathead

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icK-x-Strife (September 5, 2001)

Here is a piece of Greg Graffins' "Punk Manifesto" : "PUNK IS: the personal expression of uniqueness that comes from the experiences of growing up in touch with our human ability to reason and ask questions." "PUNK IS: a movement that serves to refute social attitudes that have been perpetuated through willful ignorance of human nature." "PUNK IS: a process of questioning and commitment to understanding that results in self-progress, and through repetition, flowers into social evolution. " "PUNK IS: a belief that this world is what we make of it, truth comes from our understanding of the way things are, not from the blind adherence to prescriptions about the way things should be." "PUNK IS: the constant struggle against fear of social repercussions." I think that sums up being punk fairly well. To me being punk is 1. Making the decisions in life on your own

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Someone (September 5, 2001)

dude, everyone knows punk's busting a few ollies then going to go talk about dog poop while listening to "Fat Lip". You may even crack a mullet joke or two

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Someone (September 5, 2001)

Since the last post is about what is punk, here is what it is not. Sid Vicious is not punk...he was a drugged up moron Blink 182 is not punk...they are chickenshit conformists And while punk rock began in New York, the Ramones were not the first. I think a great example of punk would be John Samson of The Weakerthans. Just read the interview Punk Planet did with him last issue. Talk about a free, artistic thinker...
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Someone (September 6, 2001)

sid was a punk. he didn't get into smack right away (not until he met that american bimbo) and lived the punk lifestyle (and with his mom i think).
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coldjuly (September 6, 2001)

I hate sid vicious...why does everyone hold him in such high regard. I agree with the first comment...he was a mindless, doped up idiot!!! oooohhh ahhh he killed his wife...and he was on drugs..he also wore chains and leather..I guess that makes him punk...no way. Sid sucks.
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Someone (September 6, 2001)

no, you are right - he was all those things and is not the be-all end-all of punk. i was just trying to point out that in 1975/76, he was already a part of the british scene, even before the pistols became big and it exploded.
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Someone (April 2, 2006)

sid vicious is punk, real pink started in england as a resultant of the strict regime the government ran

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YellowTrash (September 5, 2001)

Punk is a cock in your mouth, and you screaming at the same time. Oh wait, that's Anal Cunt!
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Someone (September 6, 2001)

you're one sick puppy.
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Someone (September 6, 2001)

no, that's fathead

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Someone (September 6, 2001)

I don't think that there is a correct answer to the question at hand, but I do believe that punk music is more than just an attitude. I suppose that you could sum up the whole idea of punk with the vauge lable of attitude but I believe that punk is a way of life. It is for the people who think twice about what is going on, it is about the feelings of alienation that is subjected, it is about parties, drinking and fun. It is Punk. There has to be a reason why the term "punk" is so commonly related to underage people that like to cause a rye. Punk is simply that, punk, and by wondering what punk really is it is clear that punk is not for you, because if you have to ask, you shouldn't be told.

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Someone (December 20, 2001)

Well punk should be a lifestyle but it's now disgustingly corrupted by "mightier than thou" punks.

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inspectorhector (March 4, 2002)

punk is the lifestyle no question....i mean music is a influence but it is in all like subcultures, like gangster and pop an preppy people......there not the enemy.....but they look down on us. the truth is punk isnt about dying your hair, or your mohawk or anything else....its about the way you look on life and how you react to it.....well thats my 4 cents......rock on

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Someone (March 17, 2002)

I say that to be "punk" you have to be who you truly want to be, with disregard to what industries such as mtv and pretty much everything on the tv tells you to be. mtv tells us that to be punk we have to be like sum 41, we have to have a thousand piercings, we have to have spiked hair, we have to be angry, we have to play an instrument in a band in which all the other members look exactly like you. (no offense to anyone who may be one of the aforementioned) personally, at first glance one would consider me to be fairly tame in appearance. my hair is long and blonde, i wear fairly lackluster clothing, i have only 2 piercings, one in each ear, and my red chuck taylors are nothing to be frightened about. but i believe in politicol activism, in self expression, in respect for everyone's opinions and the list goes on. if you want to wear a leather jacket

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Jughead (October 13, 2002)

ok lets get some things straight first of all these are my opinions and in no way(nesesarly) reflect the opinions of others. i belive that punk is a culture. a culture with a good many subcultures(oi, ska, hardcore, anti-racist... the list goes on) needless to say you can't define a culture. because there are too many other su-cultures that contradict each other. ex. There are nazi "PUNKS" and even though they stand for much of what other punks despise(including myself) they are a culture of "PUNKS". none the less. so to answer your question: you can't catogorise or define punk, but you will know it if you see it.
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Someone (November 16, 2002)

...Punk these days...wow, right there is a ominously loaded question. the word punk is just that, a word, used to describe something. we all agree that a cerntain way of conducting yourself in society, how highly you reguard, and value your own thought process, and ideas bla bla bla, is concidered to be labled punk. i feel you know your standing in relation to the question of what is, and who is punk, as surely as you know what sex you are. your damn sure your either a man or a woman...(hopefully) there is and has never been a question in your mind to it. thats how i would answer, what is punk these days? you know inside your own mind if you would be (accuratly) labled punk. yea music, clothes, and a bunch of other details could be weighed twords this, but those are just supplemintal ingredients that might misdescribe something that isnt really in dire need of being labled i

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