Punk subculture in the United Kingdom
The Punk Subculture in the United Kingdom had different forms of expression in fashion, ideologies, visual art and literature. It was mainly characterized by a diverse array of anti-conformity views that promoted individual freedom. In the same way, it was hinged on an aggressive and loud genre of music referred to like punk rock. Its followers were described as ‘punks,’ they had common social ethics such as an anti-authoritarianism culture, anti-establishment and not ‘selling out’ which loosely translates as disappointing. Their fashion included leather jackets, boots, deliberately offensive tee- shirts and indecent hairstyles called Mohawks mostly spiked and brightly colored. Women members were known to wear masculine clothing (Briggs, 2015). A notable aspect is explicitly exposing of sexuality. However, they have a considerable number of poems and films.
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Members of the punk sub-culture
Origin
Punk can be considered as a defining historical moment in the culture of the British people. It subsequently emerged in the United Kingdom and Australia in the mid-1970s. They outgrew the ‘Skinheads’ before them; it is observed that first members of the Punk subculture were initially from the former. Unlike the Skinheads, Punks did not value racism and oriented their ideologies against any form of an organized system such as governments, religion, and nationalism. As a result, they gained popularity especially among youth developing a culture complete with a social identity.
In the late 1970s, its diversification led to the development of factions such as new wave, hardcore punk and street punk. This, in turn, prompted a cultural change through an underground production of music such as heavy metal, alternative rock and crossed over thrash. Consequently, they drove a moral panic throughout the Kingdom. Notably, their method challenged prevailing orthodoxies present in the music industry at the time and introduced an alternative media with its sources of information. Its quest disputed established political and social hierarchies and proposed issues of personal identity.
Punks in the 1970s
Politics
Punk culture and musical genre evolution in Britain are often linked to the Sex Pistols band. They produced hit records such as ‘God Save the Queen’ and ‘Anarchy in the U.K which sparked controversy and portrayed the movement as overtly politicized (O’Connor, 2017). Significantly, they reinforced their beliefs by displaying swastikas, anarchy, and Marxist symbols. Also, groups such as The Clash made direct reference to unemployment, racism and economic disparities. In the same way, they formed music bands that formed a central part of Rock Against Racism (RAR) which even after fragmenting retained a political focus.
Punk movement against racism
By the 1980s band leaders such Crass called for advocating through activism that rallied recruits which helped initiate the ‘stop the city campaigns’ which prevented the anti globalization movement.
Clothing
Punk’s physical appearance was an integral component of their beliefs. Early punk fashion included use of regular objects to create an aesthetic effect. For example, ripped clothing was held together by safety pins, while a bin liner was designed to form a dress or shirt. Razor blades and safety pins were woven together and used as jewelry. Viviene Westwood was the famous designer who made cloths for boutiques such as Malcom McLaren which would retail to members of the organization.
However, many Punks wore tight, tattered jeans trousers referred to as “drain pipe”, leather jackets and T shirts often branded with logos, buttons and metal spikes. Occasionally, they wore apparel displaying swastikas depending on affiliation (Bode, 2017). For example, anti racists wore a crossed-out swastika symbol. Foot wear included army and Dr. Marten boots. Some designed their hair into mo hawks and stand it into spikes and dye it with different colors
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Mo hawk with a spiky haircut design
Music
The subculture is characterized by an aggressive and loud genre of rock music referred to like punk rock. The band is comprised of an electric bassist, two electric guitarists, a vocalist and a drummer. Groups use different mechanisms as some musicians contribute backup vocals which mostly consist of football style chants. Most punk rock uses distorted guitars and loud drumming (Bode, 2017). However, some incorporate other subgenres such as reggae and surf rock. Songs are usually short and express ideologies although some are based on lighter topics such as romantic relationship and partying. Early punks produced their music through emerging labels in part to combat what they saw as the exploitative music industry. Punk music later spread to other world cities such as New York. However, the rock bands were short-lived due to abuse of recreational drugs, violence, and promiscuity.
The Sex Pistols. They followed a similar style to that of New York Punks.
Conclusion
Punk subculture has brought with it a dynamic history of extreme creativity and aspects of delinquency. Despite having a rough physical appearance in clothing, they had positive ideologies which criticized some social vices such as racism. Additionally, Punk rock is entertaining and has left a positive mark in the music industry. It is a mainstream genre in Europe, Australia, and America. Again, the punk culture has spread throughout the world with notable interactions in Brazil, South Africa, and Canada (O’Connor, 2017).
References
O’Connor, A. (2017). The Politics of Punk: Protest and Revolt from the Streets. By David A. Ensminger. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2016. 225 pp. ISBN 978-1-4422-5444-2. Popular Music, 36(3), 465-467.
Bode, M. (2017). Punk style.
Briggs, C. (2015). “Why Every Girl Isn’ta Riot Grrrl”: Feminism and the Punk Music of Bikini Kill in the Early 1990s. New Errands: The Undergraduate Journal of American Studies, 3(1).
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