underground punk
Out of context: Reply #14
- Started
- Last post
- 38 Responses
- mg330
I've always thought that only underground punk is essentially real punk rock.
Once it's commercialized, corperatized, etc. it's a different thing entirely.
Blink 182 were never truly a punk band, and even if they were, MTV documentaries about them, showing them driving Mercedes and living in huge houses, well, that kind of sealed the deal on them not being punk.
The word "punk" was next in line after the word "alternative" for the media to misuse and misrepresent. While the word punk does define a bit more of a genre of music than the much broader alternative genre, both suffer at the hands of a media that couldn't know less about their subject. They just know the potential to make $$$ off willing and impressionable teenage eyes and ears.
I'm sure there are punk bands out there really living up the punk asthetic in all forms - sound, design style, fashion, attitude, convictions, rebellion from society, etc. But for them to maintain that, I have always thought it has to stay at that level - underground, or very local to a particular city's scene.
Rancid comes to mind as probably one of the last bands that had a story like that but still maintained their integrity while advancing on major labels. If there are others that come to mind to you, please share them. :)
I don't listen to much punk music, but have always kind of had a passion for the ideals behind it. It just might be the one last music genre that, to be true to itself goes so much further than the sound in the song.