Wednesday, January 29, 2014

CC: 3.2

In the articled on Student Pulse entitled, "What Riot? Punk Rock Politics, Fascism, and Rock Against Racism" by Alessandro G. Moliterno, a graduate from Australian National University, writes about how punk rock music is anti-racism music and is more on the left side than the right side of politics. In his article Alessandro leans more towards liking punk rock music and not putting the music down like most critics do.

In this piece Moliterno talks about how he disagrees punk rock is wrong. The author quotes Roger Sabin's awful views of punk music. In rebuttal Moliterno adds, "My argument unfolds in two parts. The first seeks to explain different characterizations of the punk movement. During the period in question, particularly the early years of 1976-77, punk was arguably ambiguous." Moliterno disagrees with Sabin's opinion on punk rock music. The author believes that punk rock music is not linked to racism, but is linked to anti-racism.

The author describes punk as being calm. "Punk could be a blind, nihilistic rebellion, distinctly apolitical in its stance," states Moliterno. Moliterno makes punk out to be decent and not harmful. Some may disagree with him, and some may agree depending on how they have experienced being around people who listen to said music.

Once again Alessandro disagrees with Roger Sabin and his views on punk rock music. He argues, " I would argue that in spite of the criticisms leveled by Sabin, punk rock can indeed be viewed as an effective vehicle for anti-racism and the politics of the left." Moliterno states how strong his beliefs are on punk rock music throughout this article. The author makes sure everyone who reads his article knows how he feels towards the music and Mr. Sabin.

The connection I am making is that I never see anything written specifically about men or women; thus, making the whole punk phase equal for both sexes. In this article there is no signaling out of either gender when it comes to calling punk racist/anti-racist or conservative/liberal (right-sided/left-sided). Sabin and Moliterno talk about the punk movement as a whole and not a discrimination towards males or females.

In conclusion, punk is not just for men or for women. Both sexes act on being racist/anti-racist and conservative/liberal depending on how one views punk rock. Males and females are both treated the same in the punk rock community. No matter how they are politically or racially.

Moliterno, Alessandro. "What Riot? Punk Rock Politics, Fascism, and Rock Against Racism." Student Pulse. 2012. Web. 29. Jan. 2014.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

CC 3.1

In an article titled "No future? Punk is still the sound of youth rebellion the world over," posted on The Guardian. Dorian Lynskey, a music writer, writes about how punk music is still around and still makes people rebel or at least look as if they are rebelling. Lynskey brings up the past of punk music and when the music first started. Lynskey also gives his opinion of punk music. His opinions are scattered throughout his article.

In the first paragraph of Lynskey's article, he talks about how punk has been over the years. He says, "The picnickers illustrate what a broad church punk has become via its myriad mutations over the years." Punk music has been changed since the music first came about in the 1970s. Punk music used to make people rebel in their actions, but now the people who are punk listeners just rebel in their looks. Most punk listeners change their hair by dyeing and strange hair styles, get plenty of tattoos where people can see them, and add many piercing to their body.

The middle of Lynskey's article, he writes about how punk is still alive and surviving by just being punk. He states, "But nostalgia doesn't explain the survival of punk as a sprawling global subculture. There is something there..." People who listen to punk music will love the music no matter what. Some even go to extremes and act upon what the music shouts out. Punk songs generally have a message to them that tells people to basically go crazy. Back when punk was first discovered people used to act upon these messages and go ballistic. Nowadays people are more calm about the music, but still destruct their bodies.

The author later on mentions on how certain punkers do not get along with one another. Lynskey describes, "The US punks disagreed with the British punks." Punk bands from the United States and Great Britain clashed about different subjects involving punk music. Some bands wanted to go back to the basics of rock music, and others opposed. Some of the bands even got into politics which made matters worse. All in all the bands from different countries did not collaborate with each other.

This connects to gender roles, because men and women both, equally, show the side effects of punk music. I see both genders in public with odd hairstyles, piercings, and tattoos. I can tell they listen to punk music considering they are generally wearing some type of merchandise with the bands name upon the article of clothing. I, too, listen to punk music. I honestly want to get my hair in an odd style, piercings, and one or two tattoos. I live with my parents and they will not allow that kind of behavior. As soon as I can I will get the punk look with the other punkers out there in the world.

In conclusion, punk music does cause people to rebel in either appearance or actions. Lynskey provides very well information in his article on punk music. From personal experience, I know how punk can make someone feel. The rebellious feelings I receive from said music makes me want to go out and do whatever I want. No matter the consequences. The question is though, why do people feel the need to act this way when they listen to this music? Does punk brain wash people?

Lynskey, Dorian. "No future? Punk is still the sound of youth rebellion the world over." The Guardian. 01 Jun. 2012. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.