What is punk?

[Eiade]

What about Green Day? They're my favorite band, and even though they aren't of the first real punk bands like the Misfits or the Ramones, I'd still consider them punk. And I would also not place them in the same group as Good Charlotte, Relient K and dumb bands like that which all sound the same ('pop punk' as I like to call them), because Green Day has been around since the late 80's, and their sound hasn't morphed into the mainstream emo-esque 'pop punk' sound.

[draighox]

Hm. I strongly disagree with that, but let's leave it, because I'm not in mood for another argument. :) Just wanted to state my opinion.

[Slaiv]

Old Green Day is punk, in my opinion. Note the emphasis on old. Recently, they've become mainstream, playing to what the crowds want. Which brings me to...

 

My explanation of punk. It emerged in the late 80s/early 90s [at least, that's when it really gained momentum.] Punk bands, as mentioned by DP, are trying not to be mainstream. Their attitude strongly influences their music, which is usually angry and fast-paced. Strangely enough, it is this rebellion that draws listeners to them, eventually leading them into the mainstream spotlight, completely contradicting their intents. The band, however, can do nothing about this. It has happened countless times. Still, some bands don't "play to the mainstream listener", and remain in the true punk genre.

 

As for the Ramones, they are definitely punk. Though wildly popular, they helped get the punk movement off the ground, allowing for the emerging of many other punk bands that would have had no opportunity otherwise.

 

And Die Ärzte - I hear you Darnoc. :tongue: Along with Die Toten Hosen. Rammstein is industrial (more set on the metal side with techno influence), but they're one of my favorite bands nonetheless.

[Eiade]

Yes, I really can't say that Green Day hasn't been a little sell-out-ish in their recent album. And that song that plays all the time on the radio, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" ("I walk a lonely road... yadda yadda")? Ugh. I hate that song. Cliche lyrics, cliche sound.

 

Yeah, I guess old Green Day was punk, and I'm a little saddened by their new take on their music.

[Dark0ne]

I think Greenday were playing for the mainstream for the majority of their time making music. I also think your comment that they can't help becoming mainstream is false -- not publishing your music, not doing video interviews, not headlining large national events are all good ways not to draw mainstream attention.

[Slaiv]

True enough. I guess I should say that it is difficult, but the bands still can do something about it, like you mentioned. I think it's safe to assume that many bands start out punk, but get caught up in fame, etc...

[Dark0ne]

It does seem to contradict things a bit -- a band sets out to be non-mainstream, yet ends up on TV. You CAN say no to having your material released on TV! LoL.

 

But the concept is still there.

[Morgoth]

Indeed. Although an entirely different genre, Darkthrone recently turned down a nomination for some music award because they didn't want to get involved in things drawing so much public attention.

Of course, one could argue that this action probably attracted more attention than if they had accepted the nomination, but still... ;)

[Fishystick]

Now not every punkband that releases albums and records videos get mainstream. Ramones never got really popular, they never even had a radio hit. Although they wanted to get famous, only people who were in to punk music cared.

The Ramones released many records but they didn't get increadibly famous outside the punk business.

[Dark0ne]

And yet I've heard of the Ramones, and heard their music, as have loads of others.