A Discussion of Punk Rock - Research Paper Example

? Musical Research: A Discussion of Punk Rock Due Introduction Music is a uniquely universal phenomenon. Every country and every culture all over the world have developed music as part of tradition, religion, or entertainment. This music may be quite diverse in style, sound, and theme in relation to one another; from classical to country, from tribal to “techno,” from rock to reggae. Everyone has a music preference. We are drawn to sounds, songs, and lyrics that speak to us and move us emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, which is entirely unique to each of us. One such musical genre that has and continues to have a powerful effect on listeners that are drawn to it is Punk Rock. Punk Rock is recognized by its harsh instrumentals, loud, often, angry vocals, and “mohawked” fans wearing leather and chains. It would, definitely be characterized as an acquired taste; either you love it or you hate it. Regardless of your opinion of this musical genre no one can deny its relevance in musical history. Punk Rock has had a profound impact on musical sound, style, politics, and social unrest. History Music has a tendency to reflect the concerns of the people, their wants, hopes, and prayers; it represents the sound of their feelings, and thoughts of those who relate to it. Understanding the context of the lyrics, the artist’s intention of the piece and how it relates to life and environments and that sound becomes part of us. In some ways music, often, parallels with historical events and real human experiences. Punk Rock is definitely such an apt example. In order to grasp the scope of Punk Rock it will be necessary to discuss its origins, its purpose, and how it reflected the cultural happenings that gave birth to it, individually. The Birth of Punk Rock In the mid to late 1960s the term “punk rock” was coined to describe the local garage bands. However, this music would hardly be recognized as the Punk Rock we know today. Both Britain and the United States claim the origins of punk, yet an actual definition of “punk,” is difficult to detail. Therefore, two different origins of punk Rock are considered (Lynskey, 2012). The first, extends from Britain, where there was horrible economic and social strife; difficult times of little money and less employment. Punk Rock became the angry voice of youths who were disillusioned and disenfranchised with the direction of their lives and land. In the late 60s the majority of the poor and unemployed, nearly 60%, were white males 18-21 (Little, 2011). Across the ocean a different explanation comes for the United States. Although all inspired by similar bands and sounds, it was the mid to late 60s in Detroit and New York that saw the true birth of Punk Rock. Bands like MC5 in Detroit and Velvet Underground in New York set the precedent for the future of Punk Rock. (Cooper, 2013) Within a few short years dozens of bands appeared, both in the United States and Britain, bringing differing, new sounds, and styles all contributing to the Punk Rock movement. Until the late 1970s Punk Rock remained primarily underground. However, with bands like the Ramones and The Sex Pistols the rest of the world began to take notice. The Sound of Punk Rock The sounds of Punk Rock are hard to ignore or overlook. It is a loud, angry, and rebellious sound. Defying the laws of music. Punk Rock taught “would be” Punk Rock artists that it is not necessary to play instruments well or have the ability to genuinely sing. It was more about the message that you are trying to convey (Youngs, 2002).Guitars with harsh cords, drums pounding, and a vocalist whose screaming lyrics are, often, unintelligible to a first time listener. this is part of the reason that Punk Rock can be so hard to define. At its core all Punk Rock shares hard edged, rebellious, and regularly conveyed loathing of the establishment and society as a whole (Cooper, 2013). To grasp the unique differences it would be advisable to acknowledge the different bands that hold the top ten placements as the best and most successful Punk Rock bands of all time, according to Rolling Stone readers. In order from 10 to 1, “The Bad Brains,” “Social Distortion,” “The Misfits,” “Black Flag,” “Iggy and the Stooges,” “The Dead Kennedys,” “The Sex Pistols,” “The Ramones,” “The Clash,” and “Green Day” (Greene, 2011). Discussion The origins of Punk rock highlighted that sound was more than music, it was, also, a lifestyle (Little, 2011) Fans of Punk Rock originally attired themselves in jeans, T-shirts, while wearing their hair in styles like the Mohawk, in bright colors; the appropriate accessories include tattoos, piercings in creative places, chains, and leather (Shively, 2007). In fairness, Punk Rock isn’t a single style; the theme of punk is constantly changing or being added to. Not only did it inspire music, it branched into multiple subcultures all under the umbrella of Punk Rock; Anarcho Punk, Celtic Punk, Cowpunk, Emo, Gypsy Punk, and Hardcore Punk (Cooper, 2013). In the images below, from right to left, are examples of Anarcho, CowPunk, and Emo subcultural styles. Each subcultures add or vary from each other in sound, style, and presentation. Anarcho Punks clearly have political and social message they wish to share. While Cowpunk gains its inspiration from the southern sounds and country music. The Emo are darker in style and share similarities with Gothic style, but identifies itself as strictly a variation of Punk Rock. It becomes clearer and clearer that Punk Rock is far more present in cultures all over the world, it is no longer solely a British or American phenomenon, it is worldwide. Below are further prime examples of the variant subcultures of Punk Rock; from right to left, Celtic Punk and Gypsy Punk. These two forms are unique examples. Clearly Celtic Punk is a form developed by those who have embraced the anti-mainstream sentiment but inclusive of their cultural heritage. Gypsy Punk is similar in that it is the version of Punk celebrated by people in other countries and among immigrants that are new to other lands. Punk Rock has certainly made a point of its political and social perceptions and dissatisfactions Punk Rock has been known to share an anarchist, Marxist, and socialist ideologies. Scholars equate the Punk Rock movement to be reminiscent of early avant-garde art movements in history. Intentionally parading themselves and their differences, strange hair, clothes, and making inferences in their music between the arts and politics, and everyday life. However, in the case of Punk Rock it was not, simply, an artistic movement, but more social rebellion. Although some bands were more political than others; some separated politics all together. However, the artists who are credited with being inventors and founders of Punk Rock music admit that leading rebellion, encouraging social revolution and insuring a musical genre, which was not the artist original intention. All the same they set musical and cultural precedent. Despite a persistent presence of Punk Rock throughout the years, it was not until 1990s that bands, like “Green Day,” brought the Punk Rock style into the mainstream (Cogan, 2013). Punk Rock today comes in so many shapes, sizes and sounds. Many of these modern bands have gone on to a great deal of mainstream success. However, in the eyes of hardcore Punk Rock enthusiasts that can be a double edged sword. The intention of Punk Rock was to defy conformity and stand in opposition to the mainstream, if these bands become widely accepted then they have left the realm of what Punk is (Bartelt, 2013) The other side of that coin is that many modern bands want to be understood, to get messages out, and the more people who are listening the better. In the end, all we can be certain of is that Punk Rock screamed its way into the world, raised a serious ruckus throughout the 70s and early 80s, made an astounding comeback into mainstream in the 1990s, and it would be safe to say that it is not going anywhere any time soon (Osterweil, 2012). Conclusion In the end, it is easy to see the profound impact that music can have on listeners. Punk Rock has more than earned its acknowledgement as a historical musical movement. Regardless of those artists that admit that they had no interest or expectation in having the kind of impact that it did. In fact, many fans of the genre would prefer that Punk Rock remain outside the mainstream and less accepted by society. The purpose of Punk Rock was to speak to their disappointments, pains, need for changes, which often went go unsaid and unheard. The evolution of Punk Rock from the child of outraged, disillusioned poor British youths to modern punk that offered in the United States is a long and interesting history. Punk Rock may not be the ideal musical genre for everyone, but for those that it is it spoken to generations and changed the definition of what makes a band, instrumental skill and vocal proficiency mattered less than the message begin sent, involving issues of classism, protest, and angered retorts. Music, whatever its style, gives words to our pain, a soundtrack of our experiences, an outlet for our yearnings and joys, and the potential to motivate needed change. References Bartelt, M. (2013). No future: The conception and evolution of punk music and culture in the united states and great britain from 1965 to the present. Retrieved from http://academic.mu.edu/meissnerd/punk.html Cogan , B. (2013). What do i get? punk rock, authenticity and cultural capital. Counter Blast: The e-Journal of Culture and Communication, 1. Retrieved from http://www.nyu.edu/pubs/counterblast/punk.htm Cooper, R. (2013). Beginning at the beginning: A timeline of punk music history. Retrieved from http://punkmusic.about.com/od/punk101/a/punktimeline.htm Cooper, R. (2013). The subgenres of punk rock. Retrieved from http://punkmusic.about.com/od/punk101/a/subgenres.htm Greene, A. (2011). Readers poll: The best punk rock bands of all time read more. Rolling Stone, 11. Retrieved from http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-best-punk-rock-bands-of-all-time-20110802 Little, J. (2011, August 10). A History of Punk Music and its Effect on British Culture and Society. Retrieved from http://rockandrollreport.com/a-history-of-punk- music-and-its-effect-on-british-culture-and-society-2/ Lynskey, D. (2012, June 1). No future? punk is still the sound of youth rebellion the world over. The Guardian , 1. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/01/no-future-punk-youth-rebellion Osterweil, W. (2012, October 12). Punk isn’t. The New Inquiry, 1. Retrieved from http://thenewinquiry.com/essays/punk-isnt/ Shively, D. (2007, February 5). The history of punk music. Retrieved from http://suite101.com/a/the-history-of-punk-music-a13052 Youngs, I. (2002, December 23). A brief history of punk. BBC News. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2601493.stm Outline: The History of Punk I. History A. Music’s ability to move us and become a part of us. B. The Birth of Punk Rock 1. Mid to late 1960s a. Term “punk rock” coined to describe local garage bands. 2. Two origins of Punk considered (Lynskey, 2012). a. British claim punk started in U.K. as a response to economic hardships among young white male (Little, 2011). b. Americans claim punk began in Detroit and New York. C. The Sound of Punk 1. Loud, angry, and defiant. 2. Does not focus on skilled instrument playing or vocal skill. (Youngs, 2002). 3. Conveys loathing of establishment and society. 4. Top 10 bands of all time. Outline: Musical Research: A Discussion of Punk Rock I. Introduction A. Music is a universal phenomena; for religious, entertainment, or traditional purposes. 1. Examples of differing musical styles. B. Punk Rock 1. Relevant and politically inspired music style. II. History A. Music’s ability to move us and become a part of us. B. The Birth of Punk Rock 1. Mid to late 1960s a. Term “punk rock” coined to describe local garage bands. 2. Two origins of Punk (Lynskey, 2012) a. British claim punk started in U.K. as a response to economic hardships among young white males (Little, 2011). b. Americans claim punk began in Detroit and New York. C. The Sound of Punk Rock 1. Loud, angry, and defiant 2. Does not focus on skilled instrument playing or vocal skill (Youngs, 2002). 3. Conveys loathing of establishment and society. 4. Top 10 bands of all time (Greene). III. Discussion A. Punk Rock was more than just music, it was a lifestyle. 1. Punk attire; jeans, T-shirts, leather, bright-colored unusual hair styles, chains, piercings, and tattoos. 2. Subcultures a. Anarcho, Cowpunk, Celtic Punk, Emo, Gypsy Punk, and Hardcore (Cooper, 2013) B. Punk Rock has social and political messages. 1. Associated with Anarchy, Marxism, and Socialism 2. Compared by some to the avant-garde artistic movements throughout history 3. Does not reach greater acceptance to 1990s, with the band “Green Day” (Cogan, 2013) C. Punk Rock today 1. Some support 2. Others feel to be accepted mainstream is to defy what Punk rock is (Bartelt, 2013) IV. Conclusion A. Reiteration of music relevance B. Acknowledge Punk Rock’s contributions. Read More