How to become a punk rocker... apparently.
June 7th 2008 05:58
A friend of mine who has recently started getting into punk music.. well Good Charlotte and Fall Out Boy. She asked me what she needed to do to do to become a punk.
I just stared at her. I could not believe she was asking me how to be something that in essence requires no rules. You be who and what you want. I told her this. She looked at me blankly and then said 'yeah but what do I wear? what else should I listen to?'
I told her that its really some thing that you have to work out on your own, you forge your own way, your own path.
Having said that, it got me thinking. The web is a wonderful and knowledge filled place for finding out just how to become a punk rocker.
So here is a list of the best ways to become a punk rocker. Most of them had notes at the beginning saying ...
1. Refuse to take trash from anyone, and be an individual.
2. (Some Might say) Listen to some good punk music. Remember, the old school is much better than the new! But if it's only one genre and people will not talk to you if you like something else , Then do you really wanna be friends with some one that closed minded in the first place
3. Always hit up your local record store.
4. Wear a tee-shirt that makes you stand out (preferably designed by yourself). You could wear a Clash tee-shirt and learn to screen print and make it yourself. Also, you can go for something way out there like a neon tank with black stripes!
5. Go to punk rock shows.
6. Studs are important. Row Leather Conical Stud Belt, even more important.
7. Remember it's all about being yourself! Good punk colors: Black, red, white, navy blue,and neons (pink neon is a good choice though).
8. Reading Books Is good , Tv is not.
11. Listen to punk bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Iggy and the Stooges, Buzzcocks, etc.
12. Forget all about fashion alone and care about something. Apathy is conformity, take back your desire to change the world. Get head over heels into veganism, feeding the homeless, whatever. Food Not Bombs is great because it's considered a "terrorist organization" by the government. Or celebrate "Buy Nothing Day". Just get a passion. Don't shut up about it either.
13. Make your own stuff. Grow food plants on your fire escape. Tomatoes are good because you can fertilize them with used coffee grounds. Check out books like Food Not Lawns. Learn to knit and get free patterns from sites like knitty. Quit buying so much, you consumerist sheep. Do you really even need all that crap? You wouldn't be a wage slave if you weren't up to your eyeballs in credit card debt for stuff you only want because the TV said you should.
And my favorite one.......................
14. Be angry. This one is important. Look around you at this world. If you're not angry, you're asleep.
Now. This really did make me laugh. I always just thought that you made your own rules. Your own paths as a punk. There are no guidelines, no rules. It doesn't matter what era of punk you like. As long as you feel the music. Ok. I prefer the likes of The Clash, Buzzcocks etc. But I also like Rancid, NOFX and Green Day. I don't wear thrift clothes, I dont spike my hair. I don't knit as the cost of buying the pattern and the wool is extortionate. I'm in credit debt as the cost of living is just so high.
What's the point in being angry at the world? There are things in the world that frustrate and annoy me but if I'm angry 24/7 then I'm going to lead a miserable and crap life. And I'm sorry, but life is for living and making the most out of what you have and can do.
Be happy. Have fun and don't worry what anyone but the people you love have to say.
Gosh I just realized that turned into a major whinge! haha.
I just stared at her. I could not believe she was asking me how to be something that in essence requires no rules. You be who and what you want. I told her this. She looked at me blankly and then said 'yeah but what do I wear? what else should I listen to?'
I told her that its really some thing that you have to work out on your own, you forge your own way, your own path.
Having said that, it got me thinking. The web is a wonderful and knowledge filled place for finding out just how to become a punk rocker.
So here is a list of the best ways to become a punk rocker. Most of them had notes at the beginning saying ...
The real way to become a punk rocker is to not listen to what anyone says about how to be punk. You can't pretend punk.
1. Refuse to take trash from anyone, and be an individual.
2. (Some Might say) Listen to some good punk music. Remember, the old school is much better than the new! But if it's only one genre and people will not talk to you if you like something else , Then do you really wanna be friends with some one that closed minded in the first place
3. Always hit up your local record store.
4. Wear a tee-shirt that makes you stand out (preferably designed by yourself). You could wear a Clash tee-shirt and learn to screen print and make it yourself. Also, you can go for something way out there like a neon tank with black stripes!
5. Go to punk rock shows.
6. Studs are important. Row Leather Conical Stud Belt, even more important.
7. Remember it's all about being yourself! Good punk colors: Black, red, white, navy blue,and neons (pink neon is a good choice though).
8. Reading Books Is good , Tv is not.
11. Listen to punk bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Iggy and the Stooges, Buzzcocks, etc.
12. Forget all about fashion alone and care about something. Apathy is conformity, take back your desire to change the world. Get head over heels into veganism, feeding the homeless, whatever. Food Not Bombs is great because it's considered a "terrorist organization" by the government. Or celebrate "Buy Nothing Day". Just get a passion. Don't shut up about it either.
13. Make your own stuff. Grow food plants on your fire escape. Tomatoes are good because you can fertilize them with used coffee grounds. Check out books like Food Not Lawns. Learn to knit and get free patterns from sites like knitty. Quit buying so much, you consumerist sheep. Do you really even need all that crap? You wouldn't be a wage slave if you weren't up to your eyeballs in credit card debt for stuff you only want because the TV said you should.
And my favorite one.......................
14. Be angry. This one is important. Look around you at this world. If you're not angry, you're asleep.
Now. This really did make me laugh. I always just thought that you made your own rules. Your own paths as a punk. There are no guidelines, no rules. It doesn't matter what era of punk you like. As long as you feel the music. Ok. I prefer the likes of The Clash, Buzzcocks etc. But I also like Rancid, NOFX and Green Day. I don't wear thrift clothes, I dont spike my hair. I don't knit as the cost of buying the pattern and the wool is extortionate. I'm in credit debt as the cost of living is just so high.
What's the point in being angry at the world? There are things in the world that frustrate and annoy me but if I'm angry 24/7 then I'm going to lead a miserable and crap life. And I'm sorry, but life is for living and making the most out of what you have and can do.
Be happy. Have fun and don't worry what anyone but the people you love have to say.
Gosh I just realized that turned into a major whinge! haha.
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Comment by Ann 2
Muzikal Mafia
Canadiens Watch
Football Slate
Comment by Anonymous
I have a friend who asks me on the odd occasion how to be metal. I find it ridiculous. I mean you either are that or you're not.
I hate when people try to be something they're not. Scene jumpers are tragic. I understand trying to find yourself, but scene jumping makes me sick!
Final note: Be yourself!
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
what is punk? expressing yourself regardless of trends . . . having a strong voice . . . angst!
Comment by Whitney
Gaming for Life
The Female View
Pet Advice
Tech Stripe
Alternative Look
If you are, you are, if not don't try to force yourself to be something you're not.
Funny rules though.
Comment by Karyn
Punk, Rock and all things Roll
Portsmouth Football Club
Sure I like punk music but I dont dress like one... does that make me less punk.... honestly? I really couldnt care less lol.
Comment by Geoff Egan
Noise Fanatic
At the same time, I'm happy not restricting myself to a single genre. I'll listen to whatever the fuck I want, be that the Ramones, Killswitch Engage or Britney Spears.
Probably a more punk philosophy than anything in the list, haha.
Comment by Karyn
Punk, Rock and all things Roll
Portsmouth Football Club
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen
Another thing I suppose is to have a lot of money. Punks "in fashion" buy a lot of really expensive stuff.
Comment by Anonymous
THEYRE FAGGOT WANK
Comment by Anonymous
I'd bash their fag skulls in. The Exploited, Discharge, the Varukers, UKSubs, Chaos UK, GBH, Slaughter and the Dogs - THEY ARE PUNK