A Brief Intro to Punk

PUNK 

Punk rock (also known simply as punk) is a music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Trickling out of 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, Punk bands rejected the overload of commercial rock. They typically produced fast-paced, short songs with hard-edged melodies and singing styles, stripped-down instrumentation, and often shouted anti-establishment, political, and sarcastic lyrics. 

More than music, punk became an archetype of alienation and teen rebellion. Authenticity, DIY spirit, and accessibility are prized in punk rock. Edgy and unpolished- punk was unpredictable and chaotic. A music genre, a dress sense, and a frame of mind- punk is incredibly important, necessary, and still lives on today. 

A BRIEF TIMELINE 

In the late 60s, Detroit and New York began developing Punk Rock with The Stooges, MC5, and The Velvet Underground. 1971 brought us trashy glam rock band New York Dolls. The group began catching everyone's attention, the first project by provocative manager Malcom McClaren who went on to manage the Sex Pistols and was a key crafter of punk subculture. In 1974, The Ramones, Blondie, and the Talking Heads emerged in the New York scene, playing in classic punk clubs such as CBGB, hurrah, Max’s Kansas City, A7, and St. Marks Place.

In 1975, The Sex Pistols make their first live appearance, one of the most influential bands in history.  Punk rock explodes in London after this, many young punks forming their own bands inspired by The Sex Pistols. In punk clubs like the Roxy, the Vortex, The Rainbow and The Garage- bands like The Clash, The Slits, The Damned, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and more got their start. 

As the late 70’s went on, American hard-core Punk began to rise.  Inspired by the British Punk scene, The Misfits, Black Flag, The Circle Jerks, Buzzcocks, The Dead Kennedy’s, and others make their debut. On the other side, lines began to blur as pop-punk, post=punk, and new wave began to rise. Although punk rock was still around on a smaller scale, bands like Joy Division, The Cure, Sonic Youth, Violent Femmes, and The Smiths took the spotlight. Many punk sub-genres/cultures started to become more defined- skate punk, noise rock, post-hardcore, grunge, emo, ska punk, shoegaze, and more all coming out of punk rock. 

In 1981, Bad Religion released their first EP through Epitaph Records- a label founded by guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label grew to be extremely influential to punk and alternative music- home to many of your favorite artists. The late 80s and early 90’s led us to the Riot Grrrl movement and bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, and Fifth Column- bringing feminism to the punk scene that was dominated by men. 

As time goes on, various subcultures, subgenres, and new artists continue to rise, but the heart of punk still lives on- continuing to influence music, fashion, politics, and art. 

FASHION 

Aiming to provoke and challenge the monarchy, politics, middle-class culture through individual freedom and anti-establishment views- punks used fashion to criticize the previous generation. DIY, or do-it-yourself, was an integral part of punk culture. Accessibility was extremely important- most punks sporting a thrifted style.

British punks used fashion as a way to critique the monarchy- usually displaying Queen Elizabeth II and the Union Jack flag. Hair was typically shaved, spiked, or mohawked- often bleached and colored as well. Safety pins were worn as body piercings and in clothing's- decorating leather jackets and blazers along with pins, spikes, slogans, patches, and paints.  

Heavily influenced by Vivian Westwood, plaid was all the rage. Fishnets, studded clothing, and other BDSM fashions were often sported. Belts, chains, and suspenders were worn for both practicality- and just for show. Large and clunky motorcycle boots, often decorated, were typically the shoe of choice. 

Although a typical “punk look”, there is infinite room for individuality, change, self-expression- and just whatever the f**k you want to wear.  

PUNK IS QUEER! 

Before the Sex Pistols took the stage, “punk” had been commonly used for 400 years. First used to allude to sex workers, the world evolved in the mid 20th century to reference a “thug” before a jazz clarinetist began dubbing a punk as “a young man who plays the feminine role in a homosexual relationship”. In 60's and 70's San Fransisco and New York- Queer men who went through the prison system came out wearing “punk” as a marker of their pride.  

Little Richard, described by some as “the first punk”, was a Queer, Black man who inhabited punk in every sense of the word with confidence. “He was he first punk... he was the first everything. When I first heard him screaming, he scared my grandmother. I thought, ‘What the hell is that?’ It was a sound unlike anything I had ever heard in my life, even outside of music.”  says John Waters. 

Punk and Queerness continued to have a close tie- many punks identifying as Queer and vice versa. In the mid-80's, “Queercore” became a punk subculture that focused on society's disapproval of the LGBTQ+ community. Queer Punk Zine “J.D.’s” was a huge incentive in sharing art, photos, and stories of Queer Punk’s. 

SLC PUNK 

SLC Punk (1999) tells the story of punk Stevo navigating life in a Reagan-Era 1985 Salt Lake City. A recent graduate from the University of Utah, Stevo and his punk friends (not to be confused with the Poseurs) battle the world, live for anarchy, and look up to The Ramones.  

As they go to concerts, listen to The Sex Pistols, and live their punk lifestyle- Stevo struggles with rednecks, romance, and his place in the world. A must-see movie (especially for those in Salt Lake City), SLC Punk is a great glimpse into what it means to be a punk and all things surrounding. 

EXPLORE PUNK NOW!

With infinite punk content to consume, the best things to do is dive right in and see what you like. Whether it be turning on some synth synth punk or hardcore punk rock; or even exploring punk fashion and art- there is certainly something for everybody. To help you start out, here is a playlist of some of our favorites.