The punk or Rockus Anarchorum is a species native to England and the United States. It's natural environment is outside of that one seedy bar with the tiny stage, or a poorly maintained house in packs of five or more. It's predators include the police (Dickus Baconum), politicians (Incompetentus Laira), the bourgeoisie (Power-Hungry-Homophobius Greediorum), and Ronald Reagan (Satan, just fucking Satan).
The punk has a unique social structure centering around an odd ceremony refereed to as the "show." During "shows" a "band" will play many one to three minute songs which are often simplistic and repetitive. In response to the music the punks dance by "moshing," a unique form of dance preformed by throwing one another into each other. Originally thought by biologists to be a form of competition or perhaps conflict, it is now commonly accepted that this is by large a friendly affair, as evidenced by the picking up of the fallen brothers. Moshing however is not the only form of dance in these communities some others include:
1) "The Hop" where a punk will jump up and down to the rhythm of the music.
2) "Skanking" particular to the "ska" sub-species of punk, this dance consists of kicking ones legs in rhythm with the music, whilst moving, often latched in arms of fellow "ska-punks"
3) "Crowd Surfing," where one punk will jump from the stage into his fellows, and be carried by them.
4) "The Rhythmic Head Nod," employed mainly by the eldest of the species, it is a nodding along to the music often while in the back of the crowd drinking a "Papst Tall Boy," a beverage, and judging by taste a sign of flagellation, which is drank in enormous quantities at "shows."
The punk's famous mating call "AN-AR-CHY!" (anərkē), combined with its strange dancing at "shows," has given them a reputation as violent. This is a falsehood, as the nature of the punk is that of friendly but wary, unlike it's close relative the skinhead (Nazius Redneckorum). Punks are social creates who often mingle with others, but do not trust outsiders. Because of this, punks will often appear hostile as to dissuade others from coming towards their pack. In the end, however, if the outsider presents him or herself as a friend, and can gain a punk's trust, they will be adopted into the pack.
David Howells or David Attenborough?
ReplyDeletehaha but seriously, I really liked this, it was very amusing. I enjoy reading your blogs because your writing is always so confident, much like your hair. You do a great job of maintaining personality in your work. My only qualm is that you may want to be a bit more careful when it comes to proof-reading, I noticed a few small errors.
Confident writing and confident hair both involve intentional, quick choices.
DeleteYes to the proofreading, one of the least punk-like activities we have, and yet still necessary.
I feel like I have a much more scientific understanding of punk culture now. But yeah, this was really enjoyable to read, and the way you executed the post was very creative. I especially liked the breakdown of dancing at "shows," as you say. This is on a more serious note: I didn't know what to think of punk for a really long time, and in my freshman year here, I took an iArt class in which we watched a documentary about punk music. This essay just made me think about that and the stigma of punk rockers being rude/weird/reclusive/etc. Good stuff here, though.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the doc?
DeleteWhen reading this, I got flashbacks of every animal planet documentary I had ever watched (which is only like two.) I remember when I was first introduced to punk. I was in high school and my friend had a burnt CD of mix punk ranging from The Ramones to Black Flag. I wasn't to keen on punk until I went to an actual show. It was some crappy bar in my hometown and there was maybe 10 people there. I don't remember the music, but I remember everyone getting the crap smeared out of them while moshing. After every song, everyone had a smile and helped those up who were still on the ground. I don't know why, but I've loved going to punk/hardcore shows ever since.
ReplyDeleteIt is a weird culture that I still don't understand all too well, but I feel like your essay helps me with the learning curve that is punk.
So the strength is the parody of anthropological writing. The weakness is that we don't get specific descriptions of the music or Dave's personal engagement with it.
DeleteIs there a way to keep the tone while still including something personal? It might be hard, but I don't put it passed DH.
I want to know how he has this inside-scoop and what punk means to him.
I like the Buzzcocks and I like the Happy Dog in Cleveland, both punkish sorts of things.
This is very, very excellent. Bravo. The scientific names are especially great, and I laughed out loud at "Ronald Reagan (Satan, just fucking Satan)." You should publish this somewhere, it's really that good.
ReplyDeleteOn a semi-related note, I remember in middle school our teacher didn't know what moshing was, so two students decided to demonstrate it for her, and one of them promptly had his head slammed into the floor. Good times.
More elementary/middle school violence brought up by Patrick. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteI too liked the Latin names, but of course they do that 75-25 thing where you risk alienating a certain section of the reading public. Not too worrisome.
Isn't Margaret Thatcher the real predator of punk?
DW