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Explain punk "credibility"?

fourstringdrums

fourstringdrums

Decidedly Indecisive
Supporting Member
Oct 20, 2002
9,721
12,479
45
Massachusetts
#1
I was thinking today about a punk artist who I've shared a bill with a few times. He's a solo guitarist who usually was put on as filler between other acts. I shared a bill with him twice:

First Time - 15 minutes into his set he broke a string and had no backup guitar or spare string. He had to end his set.

Second Time - He had to start late because he was waiting for another band to show up so that he could borrow a guitar because he left his someplace else and apparently didn't factor that into the fact that he had to play that night.

When I questioned someone about this they just said "It's punk credibility man..."

Could someone explain this to me? How is lack of preparedness on par with credibility?
 
#5
Oh yah.... your are a loser

but that is ok because you have punk credibility.

maybe he is a little poser with some anarchy sign on his stuff
with a cute little British flag.

Meh punk creditability means kick him in the nuts...ok JK but

just a figure of speech could mean many things in a certain context or situation.
basically, going by a punk stereotype, punks dont give a #### about anything and in general cant afford good equipment and just make due with what they got. Attitude and being a punk being more important than following trends.
so even if your trying not to be a punk, but you F up or have some sort of crappy equipment this could give you punk creditability.
Its just a joke or funny gesture to lighten the misfortune of a poorly organized individual in this case.
 
#8
Unfortunately kids nowadays will use the term "punk" to describe their fashion or attitude without an acknowledgement of the musical origin, this has always peeved me to no end.
If you're not playing actual punk rock but want to use the term punk to describe your laziness then you're just stupid.
 
#11
fourstringdrums said:
I was thinking today about a punk artist who I've shared a bill with a few times. He's a solo guitarist who usually was put on as filler between other acts. I shared a bill with him twice:

First Time - 15 minutes into his set he broke a string and had no backup guitar or spare string. He had to end his set.

Second Time - He had to start late because he was waiting for another band to show up so that he could borrow a guitar because he left his someplace else and apparently didn't factor that into the fact that he had to play that night.

When I questioned someone about this they just said "It's punk credibility man..."

Could someone explain this to me? How is lack of preparedness on par with credibility?
Click to expand...

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

I just got tangled up in a Someone Is Wrong On The Internet loop in another thread because I was explaining that apparently there's something wrong with me and I'm wrong since even though I don't make a goddamn penny off my gigs (yet), I still treat it like a job (a fun job, mind you). Gee, I guess I was wrong.

So in this case, I will say the same...if you aren't prepared for class or if you make a lame excuse about why you don't want to play a gig or if you act like a @#$ing jerk, that's not only not "punk rock" but it's being arrogant, entitled, and full of yourself if you expect everyone to just silently go along with your attitudes- let alone applaud it.

TL;DR: whether it's punk or jazz, why would you ruin it for yourself and others by acting like a spoiled brat and sabotaging yourself?

I'm sorry. I haven't had my coffee yet and I'm in this phase of Internet discussion where I'm tired of being so nice. :D
 
#18
TigerInATrance said:
Punk is dead. Anyone claiming to be punk has no credibility...
Click to expand...

Punk isn't dead, dude. It just doesn't want to hang out with you.
;)



To the OP - "Punk" is a frame of mind. Punk is Zen. It's an attitude of how you treat yourself and others. Some people use it as a code of honor, you might say; the others, like your friend, use it as a way to get what they want by showing they don't care. They specifically stereotype themselves to fit their own needs. They have no respect for themselves or others. Punk, imo, is about unity, cooperation, honor, hard work, friendship, community, intelligence, family, logic, self-worth and I could go on and on. Your description of your friend sounds like he doesn't abide by any of these. Call it what you will but It seems he is a brat.
 
#19
I remember reading a story on here a few years ago about a guitarist in a punk band who bought a new Marshall cab and then took a knife to its vinyl, because it wouldn't be cool to play punk with a spiffy, brand new cabinet. :rollno: I always find that pretty funny, because I always think about how nice Rancid's gear has always been; and Rancid is probably 100x more credible than that guitarist can ever hope to be.

I don't get into these huge Weberian discussions about the true definition of punk or whatever. I like a couple of bands that fall under the "punk" moniker, but it's a scene I've never really identified with.
 

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