What is it that makes a band "PUNK"?

Great question! I think punk has different meanings. I think that their is punk music as in punk sounding music, music that either has a Ramones or Sex Pistols influenced sound. I also think that there is Punk as in defined by anarcho or radical politics, and in that definition of punk I think the music could be absolutely anything, or even just spoken word. Then I also think that punk can be defined as a music of defiance, breaking all rules and borders musically. And no matter what your feelings on the issue, punk is also a fashion, and bands that follow that fashion may also be punk...

So what makes a band punk? Well it depends on your definition of punk, and your personal feelings of punk. So I guess what is punk to one person may not be to another.

What do you all think?

 

Mohawks and songs about the mall.

 

You're sort of answering you're own question. Punk bands are bands that play punk rock. I think what you're actually asking is; "What is punk rock, fundamentally?" The thing-in-itself.
Most simply I would say that Punk is a youth subculture largely revolving around a type of aggressive underground rock. However, that'as somewhat of an oversimplification because punk can sound like anything because unlike metal or hip hop, punk is primarily an ethos. I've always said you could form an a cappella punk band if you wanted to, just don't expect an enthusiastic reception. Punk borrows primarily from rock 'n roll, but also metal, ska, reggae, hip hop. This blending of styles goes back to the origins of punk. So, punk cannot necessarily be identified by sound alone. Fundamentally, it comes down to an adherence to the punk ethos, and the expressed desire to be a part of the punk movement. After all, there are probably a number of bands who share the core political values, but still aren't punk.So, I guess the answer to whether or not it's about the ideas or the music, the answer to both questions is yes, although the latter more so, I would say.

 

if you follow the lineage of 'punk' music you will find the answer, it generally has history, same beats, politics no matter what style it is which is why the mainstream tried to sell watered down music back to the masses, it is truthful, it is passionate it is kicking out the jams

u can bet nearly every time its on a major it will be arse as people are the music

caroline wasn't always a major but i agree, they 'sold us out' but when push to shove, we're all human, wll most of us haha

 

Discontent + Ideas + Energy = Punk

its simple algebra

 

just don't let business fullstop fuck you over or why shud we care about you, as it were

 

Your mom

 

Well saying just because a band is on a major doesn't make them punk just doesn't make sense since a lot of amazing "punk" bands were on majors at one time or another: The Damned, The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers, The Dead Milkmen, Adam and The Ants, and countless others.... so you can't necessarily judge a band based on their label. maybe their intentions for signing to a major, like Chumbawamba had good intentions when they signed. A lot of the old school bands did it just so people would hear their music. Is punk necessarily about rejecting success? If a band sells records and makes enough money to live comfortably does that make them sell-outs? I have had friends who have bought Crass CDs at Hot Topic, so are they now sell-outs? What's the point in even being in a band if as soon as people start to pay attention to you and get into your music you are suddenly a sell-out. The term sell-out should be banned from our language it is just another trendy cliche.

Okay I'm tired and none of that made sense I am sure...

 

my moms bigger than your mum punkmar ya drunk bastard haha, punk bands were on majors at one point but it also sold it down the river which is why crust etc came about in the first place and some majors were far worse than others it seems, now we know better and the net transmits information quicker and we've had bush2 that tryed to ruin the whole bloody world or instill it further

a band can be on a major but most of them aren't and generally stops them being punk after the fact generally and the music 'tends' to get shitter, it is then just art but punk means a form of purity kicking against the bastards not the status quo 'ever get the feeling you've been cheated', 'don't get fooled again', i mean band such as rage haven't changed shit except for a few individuals and that is not enough or they have to be symbiotic but if they are singing about stuff then they would be full of shit and that wouldn't be punk

punk is generally more aggresive i suppose then if we're denoting, which we are

yes adam and tha ants were 'punk', stylistically and lineage wise but they were also a whore managers band, if they sing about change and instil the same ol then they are not anarcho, they may be punks but times have changed or they stole the baby with the bath water and a thief will never be tolerated, anyone who signs the dotted line gets fucked and so do we so WHY!!!!!!!!!!!

crass in hot topic as long as they don't go back or decide not to buy it there, there is a point, it was called crass records, if someones sold that out then fuck buying crass, buy a copy and start burning, i mean really and send steve a donation, its the least ya can do, just don't leave a note

 

Glam Punk apparently, their earliest songs were a lot grittier and rougher, to be sure. Then again supposedly so is Avril Lavigne...
BTW, I'm going along with NGNM85 on this one, he's basically said what I wanted. Punk is an ethos involving, for me: authenticity, honesty to oneself and responsibility for one's actions (e.g. D.I.Y.)

 

this from an interview with gertie fox 77 who died in 1995 from studs terkels book, coming of age:

'ecology; from the greek word 'oikos': home. It meant knowing every single thing that comes into the home, where it comes from, how it's used, and how you dispose of it - sewarge, everything.'

and remember you may need others but you never need govt!

 

can this actually have a correct answer ?

 

I still stand by what I stated before, there are different meanings of punk. To all of us here we are anarcho-punks (I assume anyway) which means to us is that "true" punk is political in nature and as Crass said "Punk was once of saying no when we had always said yep..." and to me that is what true punk is. But I also love that "punk" sound which is why I love Oi bands, and 77 punk bands. And I also love some pop-punk (or post-Ramones bands). I just really love it all as long as it isn't fascist.

And yes Adam and the Ants had some really good "punk" songs like B-Side Baby, Beat My Guest, Red Scab, Send a Letter to Jordan. But I also love the art-punk bands. I really love all types of music, especially bands that have the balls to try new things

And as far as the whole punk bands on the major label thing... let's hope that with the aid of file sharing and the internet, that bands now and in the future can find ways to reach more people without having to sign to a major label. We can network together now better than ever, and in my opinion major labels are no longer necessary for us to reach people world wide.

 

Yes, or, at least, they were. Adam Ant, orig. Stuart Goddard was in a band called Bazooka Joe which played with the Pistols at one of the Pistol's first gigs. Shortly afterwards "Adam" got into the burgeoning punk scene and starred in the "Jubilee" film with Jordan, and several other notorious characters from the British punk scene. After that he formed Adam & the Ants, and was managed by Malcolm McLaren who pushed him out and took his "Ants" who he later combined with Annabella Lwin to form Bow Wow Wow. Afterward, he generally just went as Adam Ant, teaming up with Marco Pirroni, who was in an early incarnation of the Banshees. He had the last laugh, though, because he was more successful afterwards.
I recommend "Antics in the Forbidden Zone." It's got all the essentials.

Amen! That's what I was trying to get across.

Ahh, but the little girl is showing signs of growing up. See "Best Damn Thing".

Always a good idea.

 

Avrils on fox idol, NO!

and you can buy crass many other places other than hot topic, what would you say if they brought all their stuff at hot topic with impunity, might as well be angelina wearing the t while doshing on cash from crappywood, last i heard the members haven't got donations, to hand out to worthy causes, the covers used to say 'don't pay more than' for a very good reason but they weren't reproduced in sweatshops, check ya neck.