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Explain the asthetics of Punk

Here's a fascinating essay describing the Sex Pistols performance at San Francisco's Winterland, January 1978:
http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/dt/the-sex-pistols-concert/3054-7788.html?utm_source=NL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=090616
As an old fashioned "peace-love/classic rock" lover, this episode of music completely eludes me. Didn't The Who catch the same vibe but with a lot more musical skill and integrity? Nonetheless, the essay gives a good snap shot surrounding the Sex Pistols and a glimpse into the punk musical phenomenom. If punk had been a satire, it'd be hailed a triumphant post-modern concept piece. The fact it is "real" is even more amazing to me. Excuse me, I have to put on a Judy Collins records to feel "clean again". LOL.
jwong

Showing 5 responses by martykl

martykl
3,578 posts
 
I think that it's fair to say that Punk was an angry attempt to reverse the increasingly "corporate" or commercial character that began to dominate rock music after the '60's, when business realized that there was real gold in them thar hills.

Marty

PS - Jaybo & Hodu, Sebastian's point re: Fleetwood Mac is taken. For the record (pardon the pun), cue up "Come" from Fleetwood Mac's "Say You Will". None of the punk bands mentioned here has (to my knowledge) recorded anything with the seething anger and crazed intensity of that track. Lindsey Buckingham is absolutely deranged - and I say that with the greatest respect and admiration. I also think that he doesn't like Stevie Nicks very much.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
One more thought: Fleetwood Mac has got to be THE most misundertood band in the world. People think of Christine and Stevie when they should think LB. "Tusk" was a purer rejection of commercial interests (it ain't Rumors II, and from almost anyone else, you can bet that it would have been) than anything from the Punks, because Fleetwood Mac put REAL MONEY at risk by delivering quirky, challenging music when no one wanted it. For me, Tusk is on the very short list of truly great RnR records.

Marty
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Re: Anger and Punk

The Clash's Punk Declaration (from "Clampdown"):

"Let fury have the hour,
Anger can be power"

This sentiment may not be unique to punk music, but it is central to punk music.

Marty
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Bongo,

How can you recommend a Richard Hell song other than the immortal "Love Comes in Spurts"? Perhaps the greatest song title in the annals of rock music history.

Marty
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Bongo,

Do you recall who played loudest?
Just curious, 'cause my head nearly exploded at one of those early Los Lobos shows. Among non-punk shows, memory dictates that Smithereens were also incredibly loud, as were Jethro Tull and The Who.

Marty
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