From the 1970s-1990s, the punk scene was at it’s height, with bands like The Ramones, Blondie, The Sex Pistols, The Runaways, and The Clash reigning supreme. The essence of the movement still continues today in the modern punk/pop punk scene, and while punk might not be what it used to be, it certainly is still alive.
In today’s society, with the #BLM movement bringing up issues of racism and police brutality in America, the 2016 mockery of a presidential election, and millennials being bought and sold by companies...there is no better time than now to truly embrace and rejuvenate this subculture. Just like how Sid Vicious raged against the machine that was a crumbling Europe, history repeats itself, and we must retaliate against this sick sad world.
Take whatever makes you the most angry and instead of letting it eat you away, go out there and make a difference! Start a riot grrrl club at your school. Go to political rallies and walks (I've been to Slut Walk and it's truly amazing, highly recommend). Try writing your own music! Get out a notebook and express your raw emotions in the form of lyrics, maybe even start a band if you know some cool friends with instruments.
Although don’t be like Daniel in Freaks and Geeks, do what makes you feel comfortable and most like yourself; you don’t have to fit into some stereotypical punk style. Being unapologetically YOU is the most radical thing you can be.
Here are some of my favorite PUNK movies and songs,
I hope I inspired you to never mind the bollocks…
XOXO
Kaitlyn Tiffany
MOVIES
Times Square (1980) dir. Allan Moyle
“Two ill-matched teenage girls form a punk band and soon have New York City by its ears.”
Jubilee (1978) dir. Derek Jarman
“An angel brings Queen Elizabeth I to contemporary London where she finds sympathy for a band of violent female rebels.”
Sid and Nancy (1986) dir. Alex Cox
“Following their breakout success in England, flagship punk rock band the Sex Pistols venture out on their first U.S. tour.”
Afro-Punk (2003) dir. James Spooner
“A documentary exploring the roles of African Americans within what was then an overwhelmingly white punk scene across the United States.”
Smithereens (1982) dir. Susan Seidelman
“Wild teen Wren trades New Jersey for New York City, where she hopes to join what's left of the punk rock culture.”
SLC Punk (1998) dir. James Merendino
“In the early 1980s Stevo and Heroin Bob are the only two dedicated punks in conservative Salt Lake City.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1982) dir. Lou Alder
“After her mother's death, teenager Corinne Burns forms a punk band with her sister and cousin, despite their lack of musical experience and talent.”
Sing Street (2016) dir. John Carney
“A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.”
The Runaways (2010) dir. Floria Sigismondi
“A coming-of-age biographical film about the 1970s teenage all-girl rock band The Runaways. This film also explores the relationship between band members Joan Jett and Cherie Currie.”
CBGB (2013) dir. Randall Miller
“A look at the New York City punk-rock scene and the venerable nightclub, CBGB.”
SONGS
Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin // The Runaways
Gloria // Patti Smith
Complete Control // The Clash
Destroyer // The Kinks
Judy Is A Punk // Ramones
Steady As She Goes // The Raconteurs
Nasty Gal // Betty Davis
Identity // X-Ray Spex
Satellite // The Sex Pistols
If The Kids Are United // Sham 69