Ah, music. The one true universal language. No matter where you’re from in this world, music strikes a cord in us all. From classic jazz to modern day rock, music is the one true thing that everybody shares in common. And just like people, there are many different types or genres of music, and some of these genres have, over the years, become more socially accepted than others. But one genre in particular never really became that popular and was often looked down upon by the media. And this genre is punk rock. Now although you may not like this loud, fast type of music, it’s songs offer messages that others don’t.

So, what exactly is punk rock? Many people would say that it is music but it is so much more than that. It’s almost like a philosophy, or a way of living, whose main idea is the idea of not conforming. It’s a philosophy that is deeply rooted in rebellion. It makes you take a step back and ask questions, and strive for social justice. And it is in music where this philosophy brought out. And the music, as is the philosophy, is unlike any other type. It’s in the rawest form with short fast songs that have a message to be heard.

So then, why music? Well simple. It gave the younger generation a way to be different and to relieve some of there angst. They also saw it as a way to make their voices heard and to speak out against the government and any other wrong doings. A classic example of this happened almost by accident. It was 1968 at the democratic national convention. As a way to promote their upcoming album, a young band from Detroit (whom at the time weren’t “punk” because the word was not yet used in music terms until 1977), the MC5’s. They had no idea what would unfold that night. Early in to the show, they could sense some “bad vibes”. But they forged on with the show. Then out of nowhere, like a freak earthquake, a riot erupted. And the band had no choice but to leave prematurely.

That day was, for the punk community, very bittersweet; for they knew that something powerful had happened on that tragic day. For the first time ever, the music had a message that not only made great songs, but that the people listened to and believed in. And, it was on that day, that many people say that the whole “philosophy” behind punk rock was born. Finally the youth of the nation were making a difference and to the astonishment of many, it wasn’t the hippies. Form that day on; music was never the same.

--Raymond Mallory
raymond@thezone.org

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