Punk

[Im Rick James B**ch!]

The age-old debate: Is punk dead?

 

The problem with this debate is that the question itself is subject to interpretation. With respect its interpretive nature, please define your terms before stating your argument.

 

The first subjective factor is the definition of punk. Is punk an attitude, a genre of music or a scene which may contain both of the previous alternatives. Once classified, the definition itself must be considered. If punk is a musical genre, then what music is punk?

Finally, their is interpretation of the term "dead." Because it has been personified, no scientific definition exists. Does "dead" refer to something which ceases to exist, or does it relate to something drastically depleted in relation to its prime?

 

My interpretation:

To me, punk is a scene. One which is defined by its attitude and its music. The attitude is one of non-conformity (in relation to the general populace). It is about being alternative without regret, being shocking without seeking acceptance by the general population.

 

The music is much harder to define due to the existent sub-genres. Although it could be said that punk is anything which connotes the previously stipulated attitude, that would have a floodgate effect. For is Black Metal not also alternative? With consideration of such concern, i will apply more elements to the definition. Although, still loosely defined, the presence of a modern (last 30 or so years) western city atmosphere present within the music is another element which must be added to the definition. Coupled with the existence of an alternative attitude and i believe definition has been reached.

 

But is it dead?

In my opinion, no. Although, those who pertain to the general perception of punk (ie. Spikey hair, jacket, etc) are much less prevalent, and the musicology of the music produced in the scene has evolved, the scene iself is strong enough, IMO, to be classified as alive. That said, punk is nowhere close to thriving, as it was in the 80's.

 

NOTE: The subjective element of what a "modern western city atmosphere" is, remains undefined. But I'm tired and definitions are difficult, so STFU.

 

 

[Hayden Stasven]

I agree with that. It's not dead but it's not thriving. It's bands like Anti-Flag that I consider Punk, in a manner of speaking "sticking it to the man".

 

 

[Ryunday]

I would also agree with that. I would say no, in a way. I think that its still alive though bands like Green Day and other more modern bands, but like you said it isn’t the same as it was in the 80’s. The way you put it I think sums up what I mean well.

[Trows]

Like metal, I assume punk is truely alive deep in the underground.

[Tetsuo2501]

I agree with that. It's not dead but it's not thriving. It's bands like Anti-Flag that I consider Punk, in a manner of speaking "sticking it to the man".

LMAO. Are you f*cking serious?

[Jay]

I agree with that. It's not dead but it's not thriving. It's bands like Anti-Flag that I consider Punk, in a manner of speaking "sticking it to the man".

LMAO. Are you f*cking serious?

Coming from a man with a permanent homage to Anti Flag. Mhmm

 

Punk has had a shaky move into the new century. Few bands have been carrying it with respect. So few I cannot name any. I listen to The Offspring frequently, and although they formed during a good age for punk, these days it's hard to tell them apart from similar confused relics such as Green Day.

[Tetsuo2501]

I agree with that. It's not dead but it's not thriving. It's bands like Anti-Flag that I consider Punk, in a manner of speaking "sticking it to the man".

LMAO. Are you f*cking serious?

Coming from a man with a permanent homage to Anti Flag. Mhmm

Permanent homage to Anti-Flag? What are you talking about?

[Trows]

I agree with that. It's not dead but it's not thriving. It's bands like Anti-Flag that I consider Punk, in a manner of speaking "sticking it to the man".

LMAO. Are you f*cking serious?

Coming from a man with a permanent homage to Anti Flag. Mhmm

Permanent homage to Anti-Flag? What are you talking about?

I think he meant to say black flag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe.

[Mullen]

There's no way it's dead, but I believe it's been very watered down (correct me if I'm wrong as I'm basing my opinion on Spanish bands). I feel that most of the recent records don't have that original vibe anymore.

[Rhoda]

I don't think any scene is truly dead, just dormant or in the state of evolution. Punk is now in a state of transformation, what with artists such as The Gallows now rising in popularity.

[darthYENIK]

Punk rock isn't dead in California.

 

Bands like Bad Religion, Pennywise, Rancid, Circle Jerks, and even Dead Kennedys, are all still making music.

[Oblivionz]

I don't think any scene is truly dead, just dormant or in the state of evolution. Punk is now in a state of transformation, what with artists such as The Gallows now rising in popularity.

Do you mean Gallows, or THE Gallows?

Because I don't really consider Gallows punk.

 

 

Anyway, I don't think Punk is DEAD, but I think it's dormant, or not shown by many anymore.

You can't really classify it.

[Statutory Ray]

Punk rock isn't dead in California.

 

Bands like Bad Religion, Pennywise, Rancid, Circle Jerks, and even Dead Kennedys, are all still making music.

And new punk bands, like Dead To Me, are still emerging.

 

Punk as any sort of important social scene or political influence is pretty much dead, though.

[-shaDow]

I agree with that. It's not dead but it's not thriving. It's bands like Anti-Flag that I consider Punk, in a manner of speaking "sticking it to the man".

LMAO. Are you f*cking serious?

Coming from a man with a permanent homage to Anti Flag. Mhmm

Oof.

[Rhoda]

I don't think any scene is truly dead, just dormant or in the state of evolution. Punk is now in a state of transformation, what with artists such as The Gallows now rising in popularity.

Do you mean Gallows, or THE Gallows?

Because I don't really consider Gallows punk.

These guys:

 

 

To be quite honest, neither do I, but they've been labelled as "New-Punk", and you can't argue with the music industry.

[Damo.]

Most of those "Punk is dead" people are just emo kids who dye thier hair black and think they're "alternative" because they think My Chemical Romance (who I hate, by the way) are good.

[Hayden Stasven]

 

Most of those "Punk is dead" people are just emo kids who dye thier hair black and think they're "alternative" because they think My Chemical Romance (who I hate, by the way) are good.

Conformist.

[Im Rick James B**ch!]

The scene is only going to continue its downwards trend. Some of the original bands are still their, but i presume that they will soon retire. Most of them have changed their sound anyway, so some of the loss has already been incurred.

 

[ISd3d]

I don't really see punk ever being good again. All these bands nowadays are gay. At least we have all that good old stuff to listen back to.

[Statutory Ray]

I don't really see punk ever being good again. All these bands nowadays are gay. At least we have all that good old stuff to listen back to.

What do you mean by "All these bands?" Do you mean the crap that gets called "punk" in the mainstream, or all of the underground punk bands you know about that are still making real punk music?

[darthYENIK]

I've been listening to punk for a good ten years. And it's been "dead" for far longer than than ten years. What has changed? Pretty much nothing. Punk IS underground. It IS independent. If it's sponsored by some corporate record label, it somewhat goes against what it's all about. Therefore an underground scene is perfectly fitted for it.

 

You know ten years ago, rock in general, was considered "dead".

 

Music genres never die, until literally nobody listens to it, or plays it.

[Hayden Stasven]

Punk IS underground. It IS independent. If it's sponsored by some corporate record label, it somewhat goes against what it's all about. Therefore an underground scene is perfectly fitted for it.

Yeah it's kinda strange that a band I'd think was punk, Anti-flag, is licensed with SONY|BMG...

[Oblivionz]

I don't think any scene is truly dead, just dormant or in the state of evolution. Punk is now in a state of transformation, what with artists such as The Gallows now rising in popularity.

Do you mean Gallows, or THE Gallows?

Because I don't really consider Gallows punk.

These guys:

 

 

To be quite honest, neither do I, but they've been labelled as "New-Punk", and you can't argue with the music industry.

Yeah, that would be Gallows.

I'm a pretty big fan.

[boardwalk4est]

bands like fall out boy, sum 41, blink 182, and that sh*t call themselves "punk" but they're far from real punk. real punk rockers were anti-government, anarchists, etc. these guys like travis barker get their own tv shows and bentleys and sh*t. look at guys like g.g. allin. big difference.

 

yeah. punk's dead.

[XN22]

Pfft, punk won't die until H.R. dies.

[Hayden Stasven]

 

bands like fall out boy, sum 41, blink 182, and that sh*t call themselves "punk" but they're far from real punk. real punk rockers were anti-government, anarchists, etc. these guys like travis barker get their own tv shows and bentleys and sh*t. look at guys like g.g. allin. big difference.

 

yeah. punk's dead.

Classic Blink-182 were just kids that liked making rude songs that I'd call Rock and modern Blink-182 are just Alternative Rock. Sum 41 are a great rock band, but they're not Punk. As for Fall Out Boy, well, I'd call them Alternative Rock. I myself am not really sure what to call punk exactly, but it's bands more like NOFX and Rufio that I used to listen to back in the day I'd consider.

[Im Rick James B**ch!]

But HR changed to reggae. To me he is already dead.

 

@hs:

NOFX isnt punk. Their just a suburban attempt at punk.

 

For me, punk was at its best in the hardcore scene in the early 80's.

[Jesus'En'Hitler420]

We need more Joe Strummer's in this world...

 

"I've stopped having opinions."- quote from Joe in "Let's Rock Again."

 

 

[Damo.]

Marky Ramone played in my home town recently. I'm f*cking sickened that I couldn't get tickets. He's one of the last original punk rockers left, along with Iggy Pop.

[Tetsuo2501]

uh...Marky Ramone wasn't even an original Ramone, he was a replacement for Tommy in '78.