Punk is more than a type of music, it’s a philosophy, an attitude and a lifestyle choice. Originally used to describe garage musicians of the 1960’s, punk bands mostly start out with no formal training.
Punk rock music continues to rise in popularity and inspired a rebellion against mainstream rock.
The history of punk has been debated but most agree it first appeared in New York. This is where the Ramones, Blondie, Heartbreakers and Talking Heads played regularly. The term “Punk Rock” was first used by American rock critics in the early 1970’s.
The English offshoot scene had political and economical roots as the English economy was in poor shape throughout the 1970’s with unemployment at a record high. Fulling resentment amongst young people sparking the eruption of the British Punk scene and it’s music which reflected the bitterness, anger, opinions and object nonacceptance.
It evolved into a solid music force and began to split into sub-genres.
It’s characteristics include non-conformist behaviour, short formats, fast tempos, distorted rifts, stripped down instrumentation with shouted lyrics and no complicated guitar solos.
Lyrical, its aggressive and confrontational, dealing with issues and topics deemed taboo in the mainstream. Sociopolitical, anti sentimental depictions of relationships bathed in anger mostly with sone comedic light hearted lyrics also. It’s DIY ethos and no rules create each bands signature sound. Punk artist control their production and distribution making it easier to maintain a close relationship with their fans and have full authority of the final product.
Punk aesthetics are a huge part of the scene with leather jackets, ripped jeans, boots, tattoos, piercings and studded accessories. The hair was spiked or in a mohawk style, usually dyed.

Sub Genres include: Hardcore Punk, Pop Punk, Emo and Post Punk.

Courtesy of the River Street Jazz Cafe June 2022)