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+--- Thread: 'punk' definition please (/showthread.php?tid=3610)
'punk' definition please - CRAZY-HORSE - 11-08-2010
ca sumone tell me what defines a 'punk' band nowadays, cos i was told that gaslight anthem are a punk band??? how is this so???
i may be old fashioned, but punk to me is sex pistols and the clash, lyrics that deal with social issues and working class rebelling against the establishment. where and how did it change.
i ca understand why green day may be called punk but gaslight anthem?? if they are punk then surely you have to call bruce springsteen,john cougar punk
i dunno, im confused, you tell me
'punk' definition please - Tiggi - 11-08-2010
I think whoever told you Gaslight Anthem are a Punk band, is a long way off the mark. I'd classify them as an Alternative band, with Classic Rock tendencies.
I'd also agree with you that Punk consists of the bands you've mentioned, plus their US counterparts such as Ramones, and I feel that the movement didn't last long - a couple of years, if that - and that most of what has followed down the years has been an affectionate homage to the trail-blazers.
Genres is tricky devils...
'punk' definition please - CRAZY-HORSE - 11-08-2010
thanks tiggi...you confirmed my suspicions.
'punk' definition please - jwee5467 - 11-08-2010
Yeah, historically it is known that there were 2 distinct punk rock movements one longer than the other. In the US we saw the first punk rockers - Lou Reed's The Velvet Underground as well as Hell's Televison emerge and influence the entire nation and ultimately produce one of Rock and Roll's most iconic acts, The Ramones around '75. Then, around the same time, we saw the some of the greatest and most famous punk bands emerge in the UK, most notably The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Buzzcocks, which was around '76-'77.
Anything other than those two time periods should not really be considered punk or punk rock. A Gaslight Anthem is not punk, punk-inspired but they are really broadly under the Alternative Rock genre but also have some Rock and Roll elements particularly since they did emerge from New Jersey and thus were influenced by "The Boss". Now, if we were to analyse Green Day, they are not punk (and I've already had several rants with people about this) but really they are pop musicians and at best you could classify them as pop-punkers to this day and age.
Now onto your definition of punk, in particular the lyrics and meaning that are often associated with punk music, yes it is usually rebellious music and "stick it to the man" lyrics but punk rock was simply about making a point, with anger, protest and simplicity. We all know what those bands were trying to tell us, and their simple 3 chord songs made it even easier. But, you cannot classify The Boss as punk, he is a stadium rocker and a heartland rocker in his earlier days in Jersey. Just like we never associate Dylan with punk. Yeah, he protested but he wrote folk songs.
'punk' definition please - CRAZY-HORSE - 12-08-2010
maybe u misunderstood my comments about the boss, i was just saying that if gaslightl anthem are classed as punk, which i had doubts of myself, then tongue in cheek, the boss must be also, being that he and the anthem have a similar sound, which is the point i have try to make amongst those that told me they were 'punk'
you know, there are far too many genres/classifications of music nowadays, music has been complicated by all these sub-genres etc...its bullshit basically!
either way, its either good or bad music, and there are in all, dare i say it, genres
'punk' definition please - goth metal raver - 12-08-2010
jwee5467 Wrote:Yeah, historically it is known that there were 2 distinct punk rock movements one longer than the other. In the US we saw the first punk rockers - Lou Reed's The Velvet Underground as well as Hell's Televison emerge and influence the entire nation and ultimately produce one of Rock and Roll's most iconic acts, The Ramones around '75.
I can't believe you failed to mention Iggy Pop & the Stooges
'punk' definition please - goth metal raver - 12-08-2010
jwee5467 Wrote:Anything other than those two time periods should not really be considered punk or punk rock.
What? Not even early 80s Hardcore Punk? (Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Minor Threat, Discharge)