-I must give a long overdue thank you to the likes of certain bands and publications that have popularized and in essence made it profitable to be punk. What once reigned as a culture ostracized for being raw and something that few understood in it's essence, is now exploited itself by every radio dj who plays Blink 182, Eve 6, etc... songs. And what's with this love song crap? Since when has punk rock decided it could further it's cause of exploiting big wigs by singing about who to take to high school prom. I know many out there would disagree with me and argue that these acts aren't punk at all, that they're power pop, but let's be honest with ourselves here. If they aren't punk now, and the are, they're poppy punk, then they were at some point most likely and look at how they've degenerated. Speaking of different genres, how many do we need? As far as I see it we have enough confusion at the local record store without having to worry about looking for records under subheadings such as "new wave acid jazz dance melodic emo crap". Once again I say, where do they get off? Granted I enjoy classifying music and styles down to a "T", for my own personal reference and the ability to attack friends in arguments about things we disagree on. Yes, I am a hypocrite, a blatant outright hypocrite. At least I'm honest about it huh? Another thought, let's look at famous hypocrites and hypocrisies, first of all one of my favorites, the formalized Christian foundation, how much of the world today is heavily influenced by Christianity? The answer: A butt load of it. How about all politicians? Classic examples of us, the general population, entrusting the power of the mass destruction to a group solely bent on distorting their own messages to a state of obscurity. So by me admitting to my own "fence sitting", does this put me in the same responsibility and in essence, the same class as those in charge of uranium tipped ICBM's? I think so.

-Now don't misunderstand me in all of this. I'm in no way saying the "true" punk is the correct belief structure, in fact being that it was built on a foundation of manipulation, it is simply a means to an end. I'm not saying that any particular sub-cultures one I'm openly in favor of. They are all just a way to differentiate between people who have had different experiences in life. An example:

-First let me preface that I enjoy punk rock and hardcore music and the things that go with them, the styles etc.. and I would say I have a pretty fair knowledge of the "scene" as it were. Any way, I was in a "punk" theme store I guess you could call it in downtown Portland. They had lots of cool stuff, posters, cds, clothes, and lots of punkesqe trinkets. I went in and was taking in my surroundings and making comments to my companion about things I though were cool and what not. I went to the counter to attempt to make conversation with one of the two people working there, both were 30something punkers dressed in biker leather and spikes. Well, apparently I wasn't worth speaking to because I wasn't punk enough for them. My appearance of baggy cargo pants and a hoodie somehow told them all about me and that I wasn't worth their precious time. "Well, I'm sorry I left my sawed off shorts, holey t-shirt, 40 pound combat boots at home!!"

-So what does this tell you about punk as a sub-culture? Something that has fought for so long to be accepted exclude with just as much prejudice as the society they constantly battle.

-Lesson for today:

-Something I say probably way too often... stop worrying about whether you fit in or not, and how trendy you are, just have fun. And for those of you who simply must be non-conformist no matter the cost...$$. Realize this, the less you try not to conform, the happier you will be. And after all, isn't the person who does truly what they want and doesn't care about such mundane trivialities the true non-conformist?

-
"Another cause, Heed the call everybody rally 'round
Don't contemplate if it's right, just follow the crowd
But don't you dare disagree
'cause they'll question your loyalty
Their idea of camaraderie is to heed their call to arms
Who appointed you the moral judge?
Pointing your fingers at everyone
Don't pull that guilt bullshit on me
Nothing you say or do can decide for me
So go ahead, keep you rules, I'll choose my own wars
Your accusations and harsh words can't do me any harm
'cause I don't believe in blind loyalty
That just mob mentality
I will answer what's right for me
And not your call to arms"

Sick of it All - Call To Arms

- writings -