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In The Underground: How the Old Movements Die Out

The two main genres that any teenager will ever say they listen to is either a variation of rock or hip hop. Music has a big effect on lifestyle and lifestyle has a big effect on music. This reciprocal relationship that gave birth two vary distinct underground “youth cultures”: punk and hip-hop.
 The punk rock movement, being the only movement I really have had first hand experience in viewing, has to be one of the most complex movements originating in the end of the 70s around 1979 in the famous New York CBGB. With bands like the Ramones, the New York Dolls, and Siouxsie and the Banshees plus others formed the first movement of “punk rock” style exhibiting loud and fast lyrics (the Ramones) and in-your-face style of performance.
 From here the movement gained more force in the 1980s when the famous British Invasion swept across the United States rock scene. The droog-like Adicts, Sid and Nacy’s antics and the rough vocals of that amazing Joe Strummer resonated in the ears of youth culture bringing a new sound to the masses. Mainly in the underground it was a sleeping giant only catering to a small group. This post punk can usually be described as harder and louder. Bands like the Dead Kennedy’s, the Exploited, and the Adolescence just to name a few became major headliners taking over the glory of the Sex Pistols, Clash, and the rest of the Brit punks. The eighties punk movement became a major redefining moment of the genre. The music lay dormant for years until a revival began again in the 1990s and 2000s.
The youths long romance with the punk scene would have to be for two reasons. This culture preaches the idea of man against the system or society. Whether you like it or not, most of the ideas in the lyrics (if you actually listen to some good stuff) usually revolves around antiestablishment ideology. Sure, at times rather communist if you look at the surface. Yes, I said the “c” word so there. Working class youth, unemployment, systematic discrimination of the poor, a call for change and at times revolution, yes these issues end up in a songbook. Not only the lyrics but also some of the followers of the music have branched off into Anarcho-punk genres expressing the need for complete social and political liberation. These “liberation ideologies” can be registered by the youth as not political but self and social liberation. It’s like telling a thirteen year old its okay to stay out until 11:00 because tomorrow is uncertain or to do what ever they feel like because their the kings of their lives and they go for it. It’s almost existential in its true essence. This loud, fast style of life is appealing to the younger generation because they need an outlet and they find that in music, and when music tells them to get up and give authority the finger, they’ll do it. Plus, they applaud individualism and uniqueness. The whole idea of actually being a true “punk rock kid” is to be different and not conform to any standards or rules. This freedom of expression gives them the mindset that its okay to express themselves and act (and dress) the way they want. For a young mind still developing its identity this is a very attractive route to go.
But here are the problems with it. Immediately they think if the listen to 5 or 8 bands that are somewhat rock, dress in all black, yell “oi” every so often they have it made. Wrong. Immediately after is popularization in the underground, it went mainstream. The youth of today at times believes that most pop rock bands are now punk just because their members have trendy haircuts. Excuse me, when did anti-establismentism have an official haircut? And when did punk become confused with Blink 182? I guess this “kid” missed that one. But really the major problem I have with punk and its movement revolves around the fact that it has gone from an exclusive movement of true believers to a bunch of urban trend seekers looking for the next big thing. Instead of nonconformity, it’s even more conforming as every 12 – 16 year old must dawn a mohawk, wear tight pants and plenty of spikes. Okay, I don’t flinch too much when I notice hypocrisy. But then when I saw kids walking around in band shirt, wearing twenty thousand different rock related accessories they most meticulously chose from Clair’s or Hot Topic and can’t help but give a yelp. What every happened to the DIY or die in the old days? It’s almost too comical and I can’t help but laugh. I guess the skeptics need to sit down. Yes, sadly we all must admit it; punk is officially dead and buried in a blanket of pop icons and tweeny sized black clothes. Good Bye Sid, Johnny, Joe, Souxsie, Jello, Dee Dee, and yes, even the Great Monkey its been a fun ride but I left the bus back at maturity, thank God!

© 2008 Metropolis Lights.