What Was Punk in the 80s?
During the 80s, punk was a phenomenon that dominated culture. It was a movement that spawned an entire subculture of artists and bands, whose music was often violently rebellious and provocative. It was also a movement that challenged the mainstream music industry, exposing its hedonism and materialism and calling attention to how it repressed dissenting viewpoints.
It was also a movement that fueled the creation of an alternative media, with independent record labels and fanzines. It was a movement that was not afraid to confront the political and social issues of its time, while also being a culturally diverse one, with bands coming from all over the world.
The movement influenced art, fashion and music, with a DIY ethic that emphasized creating original work rather than purchasing and consuming it from commercial outlets. The punk aesthetic was derived from the rock and roll tradition, but its sound was distinctly abrasive and sped up to emphasize the urgency of the times.
As a result, punks often took to the streets to protest or to express their discontent with the way society was going. They were often from poorer backgrounds and had become fed up with the affluence of the rock and roll scene. They would create their own records and sign with small independent labels in an effort to combat what they saw as a money-hungry music industry.
Punk was often depicted in movies, as well, allowing it to become a symbol of youth disaffection and rebellion. The film Real People, for example, often showed a group of kids dressed up in punk garb and spouting their anger to the camera. The film After Hours, another show that regularly highlighted the behavior of the youth, often featured a character with a Mohawk, a pierced nose, and spiked hair.
Penelope Spheeris’s film The Decline of Western Civilization was another influential documentary, documenting the Los Angeles punk scene around 1980. It shows bands such as Circle Jerks, X and the Germs in their element and is filled with incredible live footage.
It is not only a fantastic film to watch if you want to learn more about the history of punk, but it is also a fascinating look into the life and culture of a band. The interview segments, where the bands are filmed answering questions about their lives and the music they make, are fascinating to see.
The movie also has a great soundtrack, including songs from the Ramones and Buzzcocks, two of the most important bands in the history of punk music. These bands are not only the first punk acts to be popular in America, but also are responsible for helping to popularize the genre internationally.
It is no secret that the music of the 80s was an influence on the horror genre. In fact, the style of the rock and roll music was often used to illustrate scary situations on screen, such as in the movie The Terminator. In fact, there is a punk/horror connection even today, as the 2015 New Zealand film Deathgasm incorporates a punk style of music into its eerie story.
