During the late 1960’s and early 70’s, punk rock came into the music industry with bands like The Stooges, with lead singer Iggy Pop. Iggy Pop was known for his extreme stage performances, often flashing fans and smearing food on his chest. The Stooges became associated with anti-corporation ideals which paradoxically made them quite popular. Later, The Ramones popularized punk rock music to a wider audience. Punk rock since has gone through many changes and has branched out into tons of different types.
When I first heard “Time Bomb” by Rancid, I was entranced by punk rock. I would sit in my mom’s car as Rancid, The Ramones, and Social Distortion blasted through the speakers. Later, I started going to local punk shows, and it has changed my life. Punk rock has made me a better person.
Punk rock fashion revolves around DIY and upcycling your clothes. These themes have very much changed my view of fast fashion brands like SHEIN. This article really highlights the issues and concerns I now have with fast fashion. Punk culture has made me thrift more and and helped me learn how to reuse and sew old pieces of clothing.
Punk culture also revolves around non-conformity. The style often includes liberty spikes, Mohawks, extreme piercings, brightly colored hair, jackets and pants covered in patches. Nothing in punk culture would be considered ordinary or conventional. This has really helped me express myself. When everyone has bright dyed hair, and you have simple red hair, you fit in. Since I’ve been more into the punk scene I’ve been more expressive through my clothes. Dying my hair bright colors, wearing darker colors and simply wearing clothes that make me more comfortable. Punk culture always allows you to be who you want to be without judgment. You can experiment more with extreme styles without worrying about what others think.
As a result of my experiences going to local punk shows, my confidence has grown. People at punk shows are the nicest people you will ever meet. You will receive tons of compliments by going to one show. At punk shows you fit in. When you are in a group of fellow outcasts and misfits, you fit in.
Moreover, everyone likes the same music and style as you. I have never gotten more compliments than I do at a punk show. The girls in the line for the bathroom compliment your makeup and your outfit. They will tell you you’re beautiful. They never judge you. Truly, girls at punk shows are the kindest girls I know.
The guys will compliment your random obscure band T-shirts. Experiences as simple as receiving random compliments on my band t-shirts or makeup and being told I’m beautiful by random girls in the bathroom fixing their eyeliner, my confidence has skyrocketed. When people tell you you’re pretty, you feel pretty. You feel better about yourself. Local punk shows are the best place to build your confidence.
Attending local shows has helped me learn to be more social. They all talk to you, and when you’re being pushed against people in the mosh pit, you have to be social. Going to these shows have made me a more social person and have also made me more able to start conversations with others.
Punk rock is built on rebelling and raging against the machine – activism is huge in this scene. Punk has spoken out against sexism and racism for years with bands like Bikini Kill and Operation Ivy. As I have educated myself more in the punk scene, I have been more into activism and standing up for what I believe in. Most of punk rock music involves activism, so getting into punk means being active. Because of that I have been more into social issues and educating myself on political issues. I have been more informed and more vocal about things I believe in.
Punk rock overall has made me a more caring and empathetic person.
