Classic Punk

[2012 Wont Happen]

Last year, I was talking to a German exchange student at my school (who, unfortunately for the awesome level of the U.S. but fortunately for the awesome level of Germany, is back in Germany now). I remember in one conversation we had about punk rock, he listed among classic punk bands: Anti-Flag.

Anti-Flag is my favorite band. I've listened to all their albums many, many, many times (yes, even Bright Lights of America). However, I never really thought of them as classic punk. They first formed in 1988, and only played for one year, then reformed permanently in '93. I had always thought of punk "classic" as being mid to late 70s stuff. Early 80s for hardcore punk.

So, I was just wondering- what would you guys refer to as "classic" punk.

 

[Cliff_m85]

I like the Dead Kennedies.

And Avril Lavigne.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

Sex Pistols

That is all.

That's what I think of for classic punk too. And the Clash and Ramones of course.

edit-

I like the Dead Kennedies.

And Avril Lavigne.

Hahaha.

Its funny because it implies that Avril Lavigne plays punk music.
Dead Kennedys is a nice choice though!

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

I wouldn't refer to anything as 'classic punk'.

 

[RanD00M]

Clash,Ramones,Dead Kennedies,Shamain.

 

[Cliff_m85]

Sex Pistols

That is all.

That's what I think of for classic punk too. And the Clash and Ramones of course.

edit-

I like the Dead Kennedies.

And Avril Lavigne.

Hahaha.

Its funny because it implies that Avril Lavigne plays punk music.
Dead Kennedys is a nice choice though!

Avril Lavigne is arguably more punk than Dead Kennedies.

Punk is about going against the establishment. DK did this very well, even going against those who wanted to turn Punk into a racist neo-nazi slurry of crud. Avril Lavigne is going against our preconceived notions of what punk is and her music is quite deep.

Hey hey you you I don't like your girlfriend
Hey hey you you I think you need a new one.

On the first listen, it sounds like a girl trying to steal a man. In actuality it's a social commentary on the government trying to dismantle our rights by destroying the Constitution and replacing it with "a new one" as the boy desperately tries to keep the "girlfriend". Notice how it's not totally resolved by the end of the song. Not to mention that obvious anti-bigotry of "Sk8rboi".

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

Sex Pistols

That is all.

That's what I think of for classic punk too. And the Clash and Ramones of course.

edit-

I like the Dead Kennedies.

And Avril Lavigne.

Hahaha.

Its funny because it implies that Avril Lavigne plays punk music.
Dead Kennedys is a nice choice though!

Avril Lavigne is arguably more punk than Dead Kennedies.

Punk is about going against the establishment. DK did this very well, even going against those who wanted to turn Punk into a racist neo-nazi slurry of crud. Avril Lavigne is going against our preconceived notions of what punk is and her music is quite deep.

Hey hey you you I don't like your girlfriend
Hey hey you you I think you need a new one.

On the first listen, it sounds like a girl trying to steal a man. In actuality it's a social commentary on the government trying to dismantle our rights by destroying the Constitution and replacing it with "a new one" as the boy desperately tries to keep the "girlfriend". Notice how it's not totally resolved by the end of the song. Not to mention that obvious anti-bigotry of "Sk8rboi".

Epic sarcasm is epic.

You sir, have earned yourself +5 internets.

Dead Kennedys though, definitely one of my favorites. Especially Police Truck, Nazi Punk Fuck Off and Kill the Poor.

 

[Unesh52]

I wouldn't refer to anything as 'classic punk'.

Ditto. I've been to all of two punk shows in my life. I believe one was Flatfoot 56 (the Street Dogs also played), and one was The Business (w/ Flatfoot 56).

They.

Were.

Awesome.

I felt like I was best friends with everyone in the room afterward, even the band. The sheer, maddening unified chaos of it all was infectious. All were equal, fought for the same good, and were worthwhile (except maybe the skin heads).

But that was the show. More specifically, that was the pit. The music was a bunch of disjointed white noise with samey chord progressions and slurred, indecipherable -- though creative -- lyrics. I guess the parts with the bagpipes were cool to hear, but the point is that I'd never listen to that shit alone. That's like smoking weed alone. I like the energy of it all, the sense of brotherhood and trust that can be laid in complete strangers because of it.

In conclusion -- punk music is shitty noise, so why would you classify it anyway?

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

(except maybe the skin heads)

What was wrong with the skinheads?

Were they being dicks or are you one of those people who think all skins are white supremacists?

In conclusion -- punk music is shitty noise, so why would you classify it anyway?

That's nothing to do with why I refuse to classify anything as 'classic punk'. I refuse to classify anything as 'classic punk' because the 'classic' qualifier is pretty much antithetical to the original punk ideals.

 

[Rylot]

I'm partial to some good old Clash.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

(except maybe the skin heads)

What was wrong with the skinheads?

Were they being dicks or are you one of those people who think all skins are white supremacists?

That is almost everyone in the U.S.A. unfortunately. Very few people here know about RASH, SHARP, AntiFa, ect.

 

[Unesh52]

(except maybe the skin heads)

What was wrong with the skinheads?

Were they being dicks or are you one of those people who think all skins are white supremacists?

The people I'm referring to were shirtless white boys wearing huge clodhoppers, had the titular "skin heads," and were violently spinning around with their elbows out whilst stomping on everything in their path. I heard someone saying they were skin heads and that they (like me) didn't like them.

As for their political ideologies... IDK, if I'd had to hazard a guess at the time I might've said they were militant cancer patients with a grudge against the textile industry.

In conclusion -- punk music is shitty noise, so why would you classify it anyway?

That's nothing to do with why I refuse to classify anything as 'classic punk'. I refuse to classify anything as 'classic punk' because the 'classic' qualifier is pretty much antithetical to the original punk ideals.

Ah! I suppose you are right. Just goes to show my ignorance of the genre, is all.

Uh... let's just drop my original quote and the first word of my reply, yeah?

 

[Vern]

Anti-Flag I certainly wouldn't think of as classic punk. When I think classic punk I think of the Dead Kennedy's, The Misfits, T.S.O.L., Nomeansno, The Vandals, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Dead Milkmen. But I've never managed to get into The Sex Pistols or the Ramones. They never had enough talent, substance, or cleverness to catch my attention. Of course you can always fall back on some good old Sockeye.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Sex Pistols

That is all.

Yuuuup, these guys were the kings

 

[EvilMuffin094]

Crass, Subhumans, Chaos U.K, etc.

That's what I'd consider "classic punk."

 

[Colour Scientist]

I'm not a huge fan of punk anymore but I wouldn't put Anti-Flag anywhere near 'classic' punk. They formed way after the peak of the movement and their music, to me anyway, is barely comparable.

Anti-Flag I certainly wouldn't think of as classic punk. When I think classic punk I think of the Dead Kennedy's, The Misfits, T.S.O.L., Nomeansno, The Vandals, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Dead Milkmen. But I've never managed to get into The Sex Pistols or the Ramones. They never had enough talent, substance, or cleverness to catch my attention. Of course you can always fall back on some good old Sockeye.

I would include most of those in the list, apart from Minor Threat maybe.

 

[Purple Shrimp]

Wire!

 

[Edorf]

I like the Dead Kennedies.

And Avril Lavigne.

Hahaha.

Its funny because it implies that Avril Lavigne plays punk music.

It's funny because it imples that Avril Lavigne plays music.

 

[deus-ex-machina]

The Clash and The Jam are my two favourite punk bands people may have heard of. The rest are mainly one hit wonders.

Surely 'Classic Punk' is from circa 76/77? But who really cares? I've never been one to match up dates and music.

 

[viranimus]

The original punk era came to an end right around 1983. While there were contingents ready to carry the torch for it through the remainder of the decade such as the ramones, Anti-flag, NoFX, ect The genera eventually set itself on fire and burned out never to be seen again.

Now, since that time, there have been abominations that have tried to resurrect Punk from its grave, but either come off as a goofy offshoot of punk, or the more notable and more recent creation of bubblegum punk. (PUNKY CHIPS O HOY! OI OI OI!)

Sid Vicious has been doing backflips in his grave for the last decade over what is being refered to as punk, be it either a cheap copy of what punk was, or a complete sellout abomination that rose from its ashes.

Guess it doesnt matter really, because if you like it, I guess you can find a way to see it however you wish.