What Is Punk? An Introduction
Punk is an attitude. Punk is a way of life. Punk is politics.
Punk began in the UK during a period of social and political demise. Britain was attempting to recover in the wake of two nearly consecutive world wars, and inflation and cost of living were at all time highs. With little support from the British government, working class people were restless and depressed. Young people felt as though there was no future left for them. Through this nihilistic spirit, punk was born.
"Punk," as a musical genre began in the US in the late-60s to early 70s, with bands like Iggy Pop & The Stooges laying the groundwork for what would become the punk genre. Although punk began in the US, it was in the UK that the rebellious spirit was captured best, with the style and attitude emerging from the hearts of discontented teens. It began in the UK as a movement tied around anti-consumerist and DIY-ethics, and non-conformist attitudes. Punk is inherently antithetical to the main stream, and the attitude was often reflected in tall spiky hair, leather bondage clothing, and safety pins fastened everywhere!
This libguide is designed for any young scholar or music enthusiast who want to learn more about the punk movement in the UK, and become experts in researching this topic.
Pictured above is a group of punks in the late 70s. Contrary to the belief that punks wore dark clothing, this group are seen wearing bright red leather pants, and have colorful stripes of hair. Punk was diverse, exciting, and provocative; that is what made it so appealing to young people.
Peter Turnley (2016). Group of Punks [Photograph]. Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/group-of-punks-news-photo/635965499?adppopup=true
This photograph, originally taken in 1977, shows the Sex Pistols publicly signing their new contract with A&M records; the contract would fall through within weeks due to a brawl at the label's office. Sex Pistols had previously been signed to EMI, but had been dropped for a similar scandal. The band has a song called EMI on their album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols.
Bettmann. (2016). Sex Pistols Outside Buckingham Palace [Photograph]. Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-punk-rock-group-the-sex-pistols-are-about-to-be-moved-news-photo/515204038?adppopup=true
A photograph of the iconic British punk band, the Clash, in 1977. The Clash helped catapult punk music and fashion into the mainstream with hits like "I Fought The Law," "London Calling," and "The Guns of Brixton."
Michael Putland (2010). The Clash [Photograph]. Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/english-punk-rock-group-the-clash-new-york-1978-left-to-news-photo/98762477?adppopup=true
Historical Context
The 1970s were characterized as a period of social and political upheaval. Nearly a decade before class tensions would come to a head under Margaret Thatcher's rule, the working class were struggling to survive as inflation and unemployment rates skyrocketed. The British government did little to offer its people support, instead demanding they count their few blessings.
Punk became an outlet for discontented lower and working class youth who felt as though there was no future for them. The rebellious, "stick it to the man" attitude of the movement provided a cathartic release for young people to dress as outlandishly as they wished, and speak as boldly as they dared. The fast-spreading of punk in UK cities and suburban towns caused a manic craze among news outlets and older British folk, fearing the anarchic attitude of the new generation of adults.