After quite some time now with the contemplation of 'what is punk' i believe i have finally come to the proper answer. It can be found in a single word. Any more is too much. Sincerity.
Henry Rollins, Joey Ramone, Joe Strummer, Ian McKaye... what can be deducted about punk from these four names (except that maybe Joseph is the most punk name possible)? Any list of punk bands or artists would easily lead to an eclectic group at least. Impassioned discussions would quickly erupt: do Blink-182 count? and: is Johnny Rotten really just a hyperactive hair dresser?
Is it the fashion-sensed California Punk with the biggest mohawk, plaid riot pants, and safety-pin flair? Is it the East Coast Punk in army surplus with a decisive political stance (on everything)? Is it the Gutter Punk? Is it the most tattoos? The most piercings? The one who pissed off their dad and mum the most?
Like all good musical and artistic movements punk is constantly evolving and differs form region to region, country to country. As soon as you put a hairstyle, time signature, song length, or pant size on it someone, somewhere is going to redefine it and slide out from under the label. Done once is original, twice is a movement, three times is getting old.
So, what is it that all these people, all these groups have in common? Uncompromised sincerity. Punk is having a set of strong ideals and living every moment, every breath according to those ideals (whatever they may be) without compromise. Being sincerely YOU every minute of every day.
2 comments:
What about the paradox of defining punk? Maybe that's the pickle- if punk is the rejection of definitions and boundaries, then defining it is inherently undoable. What next? Move CBGB's to Las Vegas? Oh, wait, we did that already...
Interesting how these very definitions or lack thereof were once associated with Rock and Roll before Rock became too mainstream for the fringe. As more and more rock bands and cheerleaders desperately charge under punk colors further diluting the culture - what's to come?
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