Is there a generational divide on what constitutes "Punk"?

Question

What's your age (or age range, if you prefer), and definition?

Answer 1

There is no absolute minimum age requirement to truly understand punk. However, most (and I want to stress not all) of the generation born previous to 1985 don't have a really good feel for what it is. That is the only explanation why groups like Sum 41, Green Day, MCR and Avril can exist and sell copies. They should be shunned much the way Milli Vanilli was.

Also, I disagree about The Distillers. They are clearly punk. Just because they didn't play CBGBs back in 1977 shouldn't work against them.

Punk is about being anti-establishment, against the norms of society, a screw-the-man mentality and a D.I.Y. ethic.

A proud member of Generation X. :-D

Wow. Seriously Dani, I had you pegged for like mid 30's at least. Not that you look that old, but your classic rock knowledge is very deep. Now it makes sense why your pals were clowning you for owning L & R. Good thing you set them straight.

Answer 2

musically, I think punk is music that tends to be fast, loud, and occasionally snotty. Punk should not be focusing on an image to sell, but instead promoting a political or social message. I still believe that the Sex Pistols are the quintessential punk band. black flag, dead kennedys, minor threat, the descendants, refused, D.O.A., rise against, agent orange are all good examples of punk. I think jawbreaker is rather punk, but not in the traditional sense. I also consider the stooges and the dead boys to be punk as well (instead of proto-punk, as they're more often referred to).

I'm 19.

Answer 3

Emo is real punk!

NO, NOT REALLY

Yeah, when it comes to punk, bands such as TSOL, Rudimentary Peni, Crass, Crisis, Dead Kennedys, Toy Dolls, Project GBH, Blatz, Filth, old Skrewdriver, and the like come to mind. None of this Blink 182, Green Day, or My Chemical Romance bullsheeit comes to mind. I'm 22

Answer 4

I think it is based on what era you grew up in 70's / 80s' / 90's. Before MTV they only way you heard the band was live in concert, through the grapevine, a flyer or buying the album at a local record store..

I was too young for the 70's scene, so Early 80's Hardcore was the punk i grew up with.. Husker Du, Dead Kennedys, Subhumans, Negative Approach and Necros.

Answer 5

Well, Punk/Hardcore can never die, because even if MTV somehow finds a way to make it the next big thing (and believe me, they'll try) the ideas and ideals of the movement will never die because they are common human experiences. It doesn't matter if you're 15 or 50. those ideals of honesty, independence and substance in a world of lies, conformity and apathy will always mean punk to me. bands like Strike Anywhere, Bad Religion, Rise Against, Propagandhi, Ignite, Pennywise and Good Riddance mean that to me.

Answer 6

I'm 14, and trust me when I say this, I know what is punk and what isn't. Punk is considered to be not only a music style but also a lifestyle. Any band that drives a big tour bus isn't punk, if your band wants to make it big and make a profit you aren't punk, if you are hypocritical you aren't punk, and if you are a material person or band you aren't punk. And many punk bands are anti-establishment.
Whenever I think of punk, I think of Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Crass, Circle Jerks, The Misfits, Leftover Crack, Balzac, and Atari Teenage Riot.
Bands that many people call punk that definatly aren't would be Greenday, The Distillers, and any of those emo bands.

Answer 7

Yes. I teach a college drawing class and my kids think bands that sound like Green Day are "hard punk." I think they sound like brats. I think of Fugazi as punk, the kind that has an engaged political position and will never go corporate. I am 30. Brown hair. Strong silent type.

Answer 8

for me, punk is the raw, gritty in your face, lets tear down the institution form of music put forward by such acts as:
Bad Brains
MC5
The Stooges
Minor Threat
Patti Smith
New York Dolls
Suicide
SS Decontrol
D.O.A.
Jerry's Kids
Husker Du
Black Flag
MDC
Gang Green
TSOL
Descendants
D.Y.S.
The Exploited
The Ramones
The Misfits
The Buzzcocks
The Cramps

......and the list goes on


I'm 24

Answer 9

punk music is the best

im 15