b i g * r a n t
Yes, here's yet another boring rant by some arse who thinks he knows shit. Except, well, I wrote this one despite the eagerness of people to give us shit for what we write, so cut me some slack.

In the interest of communism, I am making this rant open. That is, I will be taking corrections, changes and additions so this is more correct (because my thoughts are rarely rational and because I wasn't born when a lot of this was happening). Please direct your thoughts to [email protected] and try to be constructive with your criticism. I'm trying to generate discussion and thought, not declaring war on your precious Blink 182.

It is true that the punk scene is changing. The sound has progressed with the changing lifestyle of the punk community. Punk is no longer the domain of the working class, more so that of the lower-upper class, influenced through extreme culture and the want to be cool or accepted. The quickest way to be cool? Popular culture says it's by being yourself, which we all know translates into "fit into another stereotype, one that your parents won't like". Bands in the scene are influenced to write songs for other reasons, gone are the days when punks were all about sticking it to society, social and political issues as well as the ever popular "Fuck the hippies". From bondage to teen love, having a choice to having fun, the influences of punk have undoubtedly changed.

If I had to put a face to the dramatic change, I would surely pick Ian Mackaye, driving force behind hugely influential bands Teen Idles, Minor Threat and Fugazi. It was his idea that all rules had to be scrapped, that the majority of people who break away from mainstream culture immediately conformed to something else, the standard "outrageous haircut", combat boots and substance abuse. Through songs like Straight Edge, he let the kids know that they didn't have to throw down everything from the rest of their lives just to be the way they wanted to. Later on, (yes, I know one of his other bands did it first, I'm going for the most obvious influences) Fugazi introduced a softer sound, known as emo, pop-punk or melodic hardcore. Call it what you will, but it is undeniably the current dominating sound in the punk scene.

Enough of the dodgy history lesson and onto my point. What happened? Basically, saying do what you want opened up a lot of doors, some beneficial like the wide acceptance that an anarchy could not and will not happen, others not so beneficial, like the opinion that punk music was just the latest form of pop rock. Some decent punk bands saw the opportunity to make some cash and under the guise of "widening the fan-base" became rock stars in little time. I am unable to lay the blame completely on the latest wave however. Since punk first began people have been willing to sacrifice ideals for cash. It's human nature to destroy what we create. People like Billy Idol were in it from the beginning for the money. It's undeniable. Also, punk was founded for like minded people to unite against their oppressors, be it the monarchy, popular culture or whatever. This is another possibility as to what changed. Something cannot exist just to stop something else. It's a mistake. The outcome brings two possibilities as illustrated here in gloriously exaggerated hypotheticals.

#1: Punk wins. The corporate fat cats admit what they've done is wrong. What now? We've got our socialism, we've lost our angst. No longer do we have reasons for writing anger driven slam fests. As society changes, we are forced to live with our mistakes, thus providing the force behind the next generations rebellion. We are to them what the hippies are to us. The people who didn't succeed. Punk is actually dead.

#2 Punk loses. Pop culture manages to turn all of punk into just another marketing scheme. Pop-punk has lost the punk. Music returns to what people say is cool. Punk is actually dead.

Basically, the ideals behind punk have always been self-destructive. We have martyred people like Allin and Vicious, though to the rest of the world they are little more than dead junkies.

So is the scene dead? A closed minded self centred social club could be referring to the punker than thou attitude that we all adopt to some extent. By writing this alone I am demonstrating it in the fact that I think I have any right to judge the scene. But, wait, weren't we after a voice? What's the use of talking if we can't say what we think? You see, it's a vicious circle. Punk has ideals which clash. Luckily for us, this is generally a positive thing. It allows us to make up our minds FOR OURSELVES on many issues, we don't have to agree with everything ever band says. We can interpret punk the way we choose, whether a fashion, a style of music or a way of life.

So, what about sell-outs? Well, here's my opinion on that little can of worms. When a band plays a song on mainstream radio, they are NOT automatically a sell-out. The only thing that makes a band a sell-out (remember that this is still in my opinion, don't like it? add your own paragraph) is when they give up their ideals. This is selling out. When a band goes back on something that they claimed to feel strongly about, they are selling themselves out. Not naming anyone that is.

What I'm basically saying is that it's a good thing for punk bands to get coverage. As long as they are still being true to themselves. What do I base this on? A love for pop-punk? Hardly. Anyone heard those rumours that punk is about living your life the way you want to?

Hopefully, I've said something which will make you think about something, if only long enough to write me an offensive email. Again, please add on to this, as far as I know it's a first and well, I'd like to think that it isn't such a bad idea.

Original written by Jake Downunder. If it's below this line it has been added by readers. Ask them what they mean.

You can probably guess that the submissions aren't in any kind of order. But, this top one is my favourite because it actually questions what I wrote.

"So, what about sell-outs? Well, here's my opinion on that little can of worms. When a band plays a song on mainstream radio, they are NOT automatically a sell-out. The only thing that makes a band a sell-out (remember that this is still in my opinion, don't like it? add your own paragraph) is when they give up their ideals. This is selling out. When a band goes back on something that they claimed to feel strongly about, they are selling themselves out. Not naming anyone that is."

That's hypocritical not selling out. For example, if I am in a band that sings about how bad Racism is and then abuse/beat up/whatever someone because of their Race after a show I am a hypocrite. By your definition I am a sell out. You hafta remember that selling out isn't just something to do with punk. As far as I am concerned (and just like yours this is my own opinion) I interpret it pretty literally, because as I mentioned above I believe the word hypocrite applies more in some cases. So to me it basically means when a band (or person or whatever) begins to do what they have previously been doing, but now they do it for the money not because they love it. Now of course this doesn't apply to anything and people are gonna say what about bands that only form to make money. To answer that, in my opinion they are worse then sell-outs. But that's just my beliefs...

That's all I wanted to say. You said you wanted people to email you with their opinions and I was bored so I did. Post it if you want, abuse me if you want, ignore me if you want doesn't really bother me, I just wanted to add my 2.2 cents.
Scott

'It is every mans moral obligation to break unjust laws' - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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email: [email protected]
website: www.inserbia.cjb.net
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Jake: Well, yeah. I sort of thought that the fact that they were doing it for money was implied... not just being hypocritical. I mean it as in the only way you can sell out is when you do something against what you claimed to stand for, for money or whatever. I meant it as a criticism of people who give shit to "mainstream punks" for being just that. I'll use the tried and true Blink182 situation (please don't think I am defending them). Blink182 are given shit basically for not being diy. I put it forward that Blink182 don't have to be diy. Why? Because they didn't write the rules. There aren't any remember? It's their right to make money for what they do. They didn't sell anybody out. They just got big.

This is my second favourite (because they quoted a song!), also about the sell-out remark. I reckon there are a tribe of people that galavant across the web looking to argue about sell-outs :)

Subject: big rant
From: "C Perkins" [email protected]
Date: Fri, Jul 23 1999 8:48:51 PM +1000

Hello, In response to your big rant, about your definition of selling out - "When a band plays a song on mainstream radio, they are NOT automatically a sell-out. The only thing that makes a band a sell-out (remember that this is still in my opinion, don't like it? add your own paragraph) is when they give up their ideals. This is selling out. When a band goes back on something that they claimed to feel strongly about, they are selling themselves out."

People can change their ideals at any given moment in time. It's only human to change. People, whether they are in a band, or not, should not be condemned for thinking for themselves. I do not believe in labelling bands, as each to their own, and if a 12 year old girl wants to base her likes upon the likes of Blink 182, that's fine. Personally i don't like the band, but if others want to like a band, i or someone else doesn't like, go for it, and don't give a fuck about stupid idealistic musical likes of others in a subculture, do what you want, and listen to what you WANT.

Don't get me wrong, i love your website, and enjoyed reading your viewpoint, i thought you'd be interested in hearing what i had to say on the subject.

I conclude with quoting lyrics from Bigwigs song, "Sellout"

Regards,
Cass.

Subject: good workl!
From: "Huck Finn" [email protected]
Wed, Jul 25 2001 10:40:22 PM +1000

Shit i just wrote out a huge letter, and then the computer crashed. So i'm rewriting it in abreiviated form.

Oh my GOD! You ledgend. That column absolutly crystalises all of my disenchantments with punk.. almost all. But yeah. The whole conflicting ideals, hypoCRASSy (hehehehe, lame i know) of it thats gunna eventually pull it apart. I think where the clashing ideologies has come from is the move into middle class teenagers. These people (which includes me i guess) have more money to spend and have the whole capitalist social conditioning thing going on underneath. But whereas punk used to be such a rebellion etc even if it was conformity in unconformity, kids could attatch themselves to that loverly four letter word simply by buy a cd. People could wear anything, rather than the combat boots and the mohawk. And personally, i think thats overall a change for the better. No more sticking out like a sore thumb in public. Plus the old punk image is associated with junkies and the like. And the Kid feels better off cause he thinks he's part of somehting bigger. just that he's probably been media brain fucked into buy it in the first place, but if not, if he legitimatly chose the cd because it was the music he wanted most rather than the only music he thinks he can get, then i'm cool with it. I'm personally fairly neutral on coolness and commercialism. Its up to the band. If they feel like doing it like they do, then good for them. Its just the sheep who get brainwahsed into buying their music and nothing else who i have the shits with..
But thats another story.

I think another part of the problem is that humans need to classify, label and define things. But by doing that with punk, it was destined to die. As soon as anything abstract becomes named and defined, it starts to be changed by other people who perviece it differently. Already what we call.. well what i call punk is not what it started off as. We should use a word other than punk to describe it. And this is what you said so i'll leave this train of thought here.

I'm gunna give you 2 more possibilities

#3 the tried and tested buzz of the power chord and off beat snare beat finnally wears thin, and people move on to other types of music. The meaning of punk is not nessacerily lost, just portrayed through other types of music.

#4 Punk it self evolves so much that it becomes a total other type of music, and takes on a different approach to the problems of the world. Whatever that may be. (Jake: I'd put my money on this one, ever heard Ozomatli?)

Eventually it dies But everything dies. Nothing last for ever. Its part of human civilisation. The younger generation rebels against the mistakes/evil deeds of the older generation. Think about it. Young prince overthrowing the old corrupt king. Dancing in the streets in the 20' and 30's. hippies in the 60's. Punk among other things in the 70's. I guess its just such a pity that now days, rebellion is sold out to the masses in healthy doses. Oh well. What can you do? So much for abreviated. I don't even think it covers the same thing the last one does. anyway.. have fun with it. and thanks alot for writting that article. pulled the words from my mouth.
-Huck

Subject: big rant-athon
From: "Laura Kazmirowicz" [email protected]
Date: Tue, Jul 24 2001 6:57:00 PM +0800

Sorry to disappoint.. I'm not writing to criticize, but to agree. I live in Perth where the "punker than thou" attitude goes hand in hand with being "punk." It pisses me off. Going to a gig is great (when we have one--can I take this time to whinge about the tendency of good international bands to completely miss WA?!?), but the scene shits me. I wouldn't dare call myself punk for fear of being completely written-off by someone who thinks they're more punk than I am. So what if I listen to the music and to an extent wear the clothes that "label" me punk. I listen to the music cos I like it, and I wear what I feel comfortable in. But I listen to a lot of ska, swing and other stuff too, and I don't always wear the uniform baggies--does that make me any less punk, then? Who cares! As you said, isn't punk about living your life the way you want to?

So by criticizing others, aren't the big-shot punkers going completely against their own ideals by making others feel that they should conform to what the big-shots believe is punk? Who gave them the right to decide? I've met quite a few people who have surprised me with some of the bands they listen to, mainly cos they don't "look" like they'd listen to punk, which I realise is ridiculous. I'm sure I've surprised a few people with my taste in music. Personally, I wish we could all get on with our own lives without having to care about what others think. Unfortunately, that's not the way we are (I'm sure someone will disagree with that, but face it, we all care to some extent what at least one other person thinks about us).

Subject: positive stuff
From: "punky cole" [email protected]
Date: Thu, Jul 12 2001 9:08:39 AM +1000

positive stuff? god sorry i'm tired but yeh liked the thing u wrote, made me think a bit and confused me a little...think i'll read it again...oh yeh a war against blink sounds ok tho..would get some ppl to actually get off the fence. they were good then but aren't so much now...nothing against teeny boppers and hoppus and the guys r making money tho hey...yeh spose the war would be pointless...umm..*reads on* ok yeh i was thinking for a while what the hell is he talking bout so i'm jus gunna make up what i made of your thing. i've decided punk has changed and the rules to it have been bended...fuk it i'm going to bed, night. oh yeh good job with the thing. cheers.

From: W & L C Scott [email protected]
Subject: Big Rant

Hey Jake

my name's nikkie and I live in the northern suburbs of Sydney. I'm 17 and I love punk rock. the thing I think that sux the most at the moment is not that the music no longer has the same message and the same impact, because to someone who hasn't heard them before, listening to the dead kennedys, or whoever has the same impact as it would have when their first album first came out. well in my opinion anyway.

The thing that sux most about the scene is some of the ppl in it. I'm not saying all, or even most because that's not true, but like you said you do get the punker than thou vibe at any gig you go to. the point of me telling you my age name and the rest of it was to illustrate this point. Some people are of the opinion that because you're young, you're a girl, and you don't fit into the stereotype of what you wear or whatever that you can't be a fan of punk. This is what I believe is killing the scene. Why can't people just go to a gig for the music. does it really matter who people are or what they wear or where they come from? I don't think it does.

The type of riot that I am too young to have seen is gone. No longer are we united against a common enemy but against the guy who has the offspring T-shirt on or the girl wearing a skirt or a ribbon in her hair. I'm pulling this all out of my ass but you know what I mean. sure the music has lost it's edge and to alot of people, punk is no more than blink 182's new single or that rad song by good charlotte. but the fans are the fans. I'm sure there are heaps and heaps and heaps of ppl who are bigger fans than I am and know more stuff and have more albums and whatever. but the thing is if you're passionate about the music, if you're passionate about what the message is then punk is alive for you because you're rioting about what you think is wrong and that is what I think punk is all about. so with that is the scene dead? or is the core of it still alive?

some bands have heart and meaning and integrity. some don't. ignore the ones that do. say that you hate them say why you hate them say that they're bastardizing the things you believe in but don't say that punk is dead. and don't say that the scene is dead because while there are people still around to condemn the people that are destroying the scene and still stand up for what is left of it, punk is still alive. just listen to the classics if you don't like what is being done lately. most of what they are saying is still very relevant, important and inspiring.

I didn't write this because I wanted you to put it in the piece, in fact I would really rather you didn't. (Jake: Oops, too late :P) I just wanted to give you another opinion, maybe from someone you wouldn't expect it from.