Was there any good punk rock?

[Grinderman]

This one's for you?

 

[Grinderman]

View attachment 4717766

For those who don't know, John Peel was probably the UK's most widely respected champion of non-mainstream music. For a band to be granted a John Peel live session was the greatest honour and some of the greatest bands became successful on his recommendation. His favourite song of all time was "Teenage Kicks" by The Undertones, hence the first line of the song on his headstone. In short, not a man I'd argue with about whether any punk was good.

Our favorite band for our man, John Peel. RIP



50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong

 

[SunnBass]

I’ve been listening to mostly punk and hardcore bands since the mid-80’s. That’s 35+ years of also listening to people constantly question the value of the music I enjoy. Imagine how many times in 35 years that someone has explained to me directly that the music, art and culture is meaningless. Sometimes they pose it as a question before dismissing it: “Does this have any merit? OF COURSE IT DOESN’T”

Right here in this thread, the entire premise seems to be framed around casting doubts about my motivations for going to see bands that I am curious about, or assuming that reminiscing about good times somehow negates the experience. Does anyone try to start conversations with you this way about things that are important to you? Do you think your reaction would change after hearing the same basic junk repeated over and over by people who weren’t even interested in the answer?

Honestly, if you wanted to learn about an under appreciated genre of music, you could frame the query in a way that isn’t loaded with contempt and maybe try to invite some enthusiasm. I realize that isn’t your style, though.

This 100%

 

[Durham52]

It depends what is classed as punk. To some people it's a steriotype of angry kids in torn T shirts and safety pins, thrashing 3 cords to death and shouting, more than singing. To others it's a rebellion they felt very seriously, to do with the state of music and or society, at that time.

Punk produced The Clash, The Jam, Elvis Costello and The Attractions Joe Jackson, The Tom Robinson Band, The Stranglers, Ian Dury and the Blockheads and many more bands and musicians that were way more than knock offs of The Sex Pistols. (There wouldn't be The Pogues, or any of those other Irish Folk/Punk bands if it wasn't for Punk.)

Punk and the variations that sprung from it are as valid as any other form of music and it's wasn't the first and it won't be the last, expressions of anger and rebellion in music. No one has to like punk, but not like it doesn't invalidate it.

There's nothing wrong with a bit of raucous rebellion in music, wasn't that what Elvis was in the beginning? It certainly was when The Who performed 'My Generation' on American TV. Even Country music had Cash, Nelson, Jennings and co.

 

[BassFalcon]

Judging by the metrics of punk rock itself, G.G. Allin was excellent punk rock. Say what you will about the man and his disgusting antics, but you must admit he was the epitome of artistic freedom. He expressed himself very clearly and exactly how he wanted to, which is the gold standard of punk rock as I understand it, pure self expression of pure emotion without regard for the obstacles of skill or technique or gear. There was not a single societal norm or opinion or constraint that concerned him. He was totally and 100% free. I think that alone is admirable, we should all aim to be comfortable enough to express ourselves so freely…even if what we have to express is disgusting filth.

 

[Grinderman]

 

[Grinderman]

Springsteen valued this one enough to cover it often.

 

[Grinderman]

This is punk rock to me.

 

[willsellout]

Yes, there was good punk rock. Threads over folks, move along.

 

[ElectroVibe]

Judging by the metrics of punk rock itself, G.G. Allin was excellent punk rock. Say what you will about the man and his disgusting antics, but you must admit he was the epitome of artistic freedom. He expressed himself very clearly and exactly how he wanted to, which is the gold standard of punk rock as I understand it, pure self expression of pure emotion without regard for the obstacles of skill or technique or gear. There was not a single societal norm or opinion or constraint that concerned him. He was totally and 100% free. I think that alone is admirable, we should all aim to be comfortable enough to express ourselves so freely…even if what we have to express is disgusting filth.

GG Allin was a lot of things, but he was never free.

 

[BassFalcon]

GG Allin was a lot of things, but he was never free.

Artistically I believe he was, mentally, socially, and occasionally physically I’d agree with you.

 

[ardgedee]

If something that supposedly has so much value, can actually hurt the person who loves it if they hear a differing opinion, doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[Grinderman]

Ric Ocasek liked these kids so much he produced an album by them.

 

[walksupright]

The Clash is a favourite of mine, as my avatar attests to.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I admit that I used to love the Ramones when I was a kid, but I don't really get most of it beyond that.

Just because something caused a big sensation doesn't mean that it had value. And it seems like the people who went to the concerts were always trying to find some new experience to make them happy. And it never really happened if they still talk about the past.

What do you think.

It all sucked and was a stupid waste of time.

 

[blacktocomm]

Obvious troll thread.

 

[Dincrest]

When I was in my early 30s and at one of the lowest points in my life, it was my two best friends and the local punk scene they introduced me to that basically kept me from throwing myself off the nearest cliff. Being in a punk band helped me improve a LOT as a musician, performer, writer, person...

Punk didn't just give me a voice and platform when I felt I didn't have one. It encouraged me to create my own platform, find my own voice, and not be afraid to be vulnerable.

It's easy to dismiss punk as "a bunch of snotty kids shouting about stuff" but it holds a dear and special place in the fiber of my being. I never set out to be a punk rocker, never really thought about being part of the scene, but I feel like punk found me and became more than just a style of music.

So does punk have value? You bet your sweet f*****g a***s it does!

 

[bassdude51]

Is/was there any good punk?.................

I don't know. And the definition of "good" can mean many things.

I didn't get into the Ramones until the mid 90s so I was really late. I like them a lot and still do today but I can only listen to them for about 20 to 30 mins max. Such high energy can be exhausting.

Back in the day, the Punk movement kind of went pop. Like The Cars. Blondie. The Police. The Clash. Etc.

I'm sure there are some "good" new punk bands to be found buried in YouTube.

The evolution of Rock n Roll starting in the early 1950s is amazing. I think that every possible avenue has been tried and there is no where else where it can go.

 

[bearhart74]

"value" is 100% subjective. you have been trolled. nothing to see here. please move on

 

[fnp5150]

theres a LOT of skilled and talented bass players in 00s punk rock......Chris 2 of AntiFlag is just one of many examples

as far as punk rocks value? In my opinion (and for discussions sake), Id say it had tremendous value: If you think about it, by the mid-70s, many bands were all millionaire rockstars -- and because of this, in a lot of ways, their message wasnt the same by the time their successful fourth, fifth, and sixth albums came out (Nuevo riche communicating with working classes) ....and theres a lot of bands that seemed to lose their earlier wilder "fire" after their first bankroll....If anything, punk rock's value was a swift kick into that kind of complacency. Just IMO...YMMV

I completely agree. Kind of the same reason some people are rabid college football fans, but never watch any NFL games. When the players cash those big checks, it seems they lose a lot of their fire and intensity. Punk, early thrash, and alternative were a fresh outlet for youthful angst.