"I'll tell you about punk rock. Punk rock is a word used by dilettantes and, uh... and, uh... heartless manipulators, about music... that takes up the energies, and the bodies, and the hearts and the souls and the time and the minds, of young men, who give what they have to it, and give everything they have to it. And it's a... it's a term that's based on contempt; it's a term that's based on fashion, style, elitism, satanism, and, everything that's rotten about rock 'n' roll.
I don't know Johnny Rotten... but I'm sure, I'm sure he puts as much blood and sweat into what he does as Sigmund Freud did. You see, what, what sounds to you like a big load of trashy old noise... is in fact... the brilliant music of a genius... myself.
And that music is so powerful, that it's quite beyond my control. And, ah... when I'm in the grips of it, I don't feel pleasure and I don't feel pain, either physically or emotionally. Do you understand what I'm talking about? Have you ever, have you ever felt like that? When you just, when you just, you couldn't feel anything, and you didn't want to either. You know, like that? Do you understand what I'm saying, sir?" - Iggy Pop
I don't know Johnny Rotten... but I'm sure, I'm sure he puts as much blood and sweat into what he does as Sigmund Freud did. You see, what, what sounds to you like a big load of trashy old noise... is in fact... the brilliant music of a genius... myself.
And that music is so powerful, that it's quite beyond my control. And, ah... when I'm in the grips of it, I don't feel pleasure and I don't feel pain, either physically or emotionally. Do you understand what I'm talking about? Have you ever, have you ever felt like that? When you just, when you just, you couldn't feel anything, and you didn't want to either. You know, like that? Do you understand what I'm saying, sir?" - Iggy Pop
by Devin Brown January 13, 2008
quite simply, punk rock is a restoration of the original rebellious youth attitude and simple fundamentals of expession in rock'n'roll music that was first expressed in the 50s by the giants like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis (especially in his personal life), and others, as opposed to the clean cut image of some of the pop stars that were dominant at the time. In the mid-60s there was the Velvet Underground who influenced punk by their lyrical themes and feedback and more. Then came what are now considered to be the protopunk bands, who took the practice of pushing the envelope that British bands like the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Kinks initiated to even greater lengths in terms of sound, image and rebellious attitude (the Stooges, the MC5, and many other bands). The term "punk rock" possibly was first used by rock critic Dave Marsh in a rockmag in the early 70s to describe the sound of ? and the Mysterians. An independent movement in rock developed as a reaction because the music had become corporate, pompous, bloated, pretentious, artsy-fartsy, and along with Top 40 pop, just plain cruddy and stupid. Bands started playing their songs short, to the point, loud, and fast, often a three-chord arrangement in accordance with the idiom KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). The name "punk rock" was applied to this independent movement in rock, the movement was and still a rebellion against the prevailing fads and trends. It has greatly influenced popular music in the 80s decade and beyond, spawning nascent movements like speed metal, new wave, postpunk, grunge and more in terms of style, sound, image, attitude and much more. Punk rock is anti-corporate, anti-establishment, anti-system and anti-conformity. Current bands like Blink 182 and Good Charlotte are NOT punk rock because they don't really have the original rebellious rock'n'roll spirit, gist or attitude of individuality. Music has gotten so corporate now that we very badly need another rock revolution like punk and we need it fast, before rock's just part of the past. Cuz lately it just sounds the same to me... (all due respect to the Ramones).
The Ramones are often considered to be the first actual punk rock band as we know it. This legendary band from Forest Hills, Queens, the Big Apple were greatly influenced by American garage rock bands, the British Invasion, the Beach Boys and girl groups. I saw them four times before they called it quits in 1996. VIVA RAMONES!
by I Saw U2 Live Twice May 5, 2007
by Anonymous October 24, 2003
Individuality. Being yourself and saying "fuck you" to anyone trying to drag you to conformity. Rebelliousness; standing up for what you believe in. A type of music for "freaks" and outcasts from society. Non-judgemental and accepting, regardless of race, gender, and sexual preference. Posers will often talk about how they hate Abercrombie and rap, because they think it is punk rock to do so. But without people like them, there would be no punk rock, and we would all look the same. Stop labeling. Stop hating. Stop saying that punk rock is dead, because as long as people have a sense of individuality, self-expression, and a spine, there will be punk rock. It CANNOT die.
by James aka Sir Cool July 15, 2005
Punk is whatever you want, but isnt what I say it is. If I told you what punk was it wouldnt be right and if you told me youd be wrong. The music is only an expression of whats in the world and heart that created it.
"Punk is all about being who you are and saying fuck the rest of you"
"Punk is three chord songs played by garage rock bands in the late seventies"
"Punk is three chord songs played by garage rock bands in the late seventies"
by That kid you hated November 18, 2004
by themadcow August 2, 2004
Punk rock embodies the opposition that still currently exist between our right to Freedom of Expression and society's need to interpret or define each expressed thought, therefore creating oppression. Punk rock is a force that serves only to save us from ourselves.
Your abilities are not defined by your appearance.
Do not allow yourself to be controlled by learned behavior which teaches you to feel a false sense of security by judging a person based on anything other than actions.
Punk rock is more than an attitude, it challenges you to accept chaos.
Do not allow yourself to be controlled by learned behavior which teaches you to feel a false sense of security by judging a person based on anything other than actions.
Punk rock is more than an attitude, it challenges you to accept chaos.
by miaeon February 20, 2008