Punk Music-Culture

A music-culture that I'm often exposed to is punk. The punk scene is heavily do-it-yourself. They do not rely on bigger labels, productions, sponsors. As I understand, in the 1980's people needed to find a way to show their disdain towards the corporations, establishments, government. The sounds of bands like Sex Pistols and Ramones were born: loud, noisy, care-free. This evolved and became more and more socio-political. Some punk communities resemble the ethics and beliefs of anarchism. In my first-hand experiences in the scene, I can say that punks lean far left in their political beliefs. The people can be really intimidating and difficult to approach because they can be pretty vulgar. At first it was really uncomfortable being surrounded with people like them. The smoking, drinking, the loud conversations with countless putangina in between and in exchange. Nonetheless I love the loud music played at the venues. And I love how different the individuals were and how knowledgeable they were about socio-political issues. Some musicians I met put more importance on the fun than on singing the right notes, be it for themselves or other musicians. When it comes to clothes, I always wondered why almost everyone wore black head to toe. I don't know if it's a wagon kind of thing more than a preference, but I think it's the latter and it's influenced by the artists they love. Maybe because black is just so uncomplicated and unobtrusive as well. When they produce, record, distribute their works, it is mostly done on their own and through independent labels. One philosophy within the culture that resonates to me is the straight edge movement, named after the song "Straight Edge" (1981) of Minor Threat. I've only ever met one and through him I found out about it. Adherents refrain from smoking, drugs, alcohol, and are more keen to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Interestingly enough, alongside the straight-edge movement is its counter-movement bent-edge. When it comes to music, it is typically loud and power chords. Another thing I love is the mosh and the moshing, where people slam and push against each other. I've seen women participate but my small built has me watching only from the sides. When anyone falls down, the rest will help the person get up. I also associate with the punk culture having fervent beliefs on gender equality, freedom, and human and animal rights. There is a lot of value as well in doing one's own thing and not being tied to conventions or on how things are said to be done. For me punk is a lot about the attitude: believing and standing for some things, the DIY ethos, doing and making things with what you have and in spite of not knowing how.