Ponk

Pop + Punk = Ponk

What exactly are kids listening to nowadays?

While on the way to work, I happened to overhear a conversation between 2 middle aged parents lamenting over the choice of music their teenaged children were listening to. One was commenting that her daughter would only listen to noisy things like Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan. whilst the other was nodding in empathy. Her own son listens to things like "System Down" which I took as her reference to "System of A Down".

note: I give them kudos for even knowing wat their kids are listening to.

With the deluge of a myriad of bands claiming to be punk acts like Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, the youth of today are being fooled into believing that any of these bands allude to real punk music. A majority of these bands, their 4 chord Ponk ballads and their "wannabebadboy" personas, have recently seen much activity on the music charts. They've even managed to displace pseudo R&B acts, but thats another story.

John Lydon, AKA Johnny Rotten was interviewed recently about music and the "new punk bands".

The interviewer asked Lydon, “What is your definition of ‘punk’?” Lydon responded, “Individual. Do-it-yourself. Independent. Free from corporate. (pause) I think that that definitely sums me up.”

The interviewer then asked, “Are there any bands now who...” Lydon obviously knew what was coming and responded, “Anyone who's parading under a hundred-thousand-dollar-plus video is not free from corporate. That's just the MTV advertising agency. I find them all to be just a bit of a sham. I mean I don't mind, I don't care, that's for some people who are into that. But don't be telling me what my life is. Because in the likes of Kelly Osbourne and this silly Lavigne
thing, yapping on about what punk is or isn't—it's just unbearable. At their age, if they're calling me old, then I want to know why they haven't done nothing of their own. Nothing. It's all borrowed from my life. Therefore, they have no word of any value in it.”

“You'll find that empty vessels make the most sound,” Lydon said following a half asked follow up question. ”And the ones that proclaim themselves the most punk are the least.”

He went on to speak about the Sex Pistols desire to play Iraq, “It's a simple enough idea. It's for the people of Iraq. I know what being disenfranchised means, I come from that and still am. Here we are, the Sex Pistols, we have no record company backing, we have no sponsorship deal. We're kind of on our own—as it always has been—and these poor bastards have got it tenfold. Nobody's doing anything for them. They're still arguing over water.”

Lydon explained that if the Sex Pistols did play Iraq it would be a benefit show and not a publicity stunt. He also took the opportunity to take a swipe at the Vans Warped Tour. “If we're in this for the money, I'd like you to tell me why we're going out at such a low ticket price, [compared to] your Warped Tours [with] your so-called fake punks, which of course we're never invited on.”

When asked about the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, Lydon said, “That's one of the very few places in this life I wouldn't break into because there's nothing worth nicking. They put up these exhibitions of the Pistols there. It's all fake! It's all rubbish!”

But he saved most of his venom for Kelly Osbourne when the topic rounded back to the
reality TV star/wanna be popstar. “You need to see the rich kids, how they get it wrong: Kelly Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne. (laughing) Poor girl! Her big rebel statement is ‘I'm a punk!’ (loud laughter) Well sorry missus, but you're not. You're fat, that's all. (laughing) You're a fatty. She's a tub o' lard. (laughing) Cheers.”

Johnny does have a point. But so do the masses of kids who spend their parents hard earned money on over-hyped concerts. Ironic how that these parents probably grew up during the hey day of Punk. They probably went threw puberty to the likes of The Clash, Sex Pistols, and The Ramones. Now a hair weave and some 20-odd years later, the parents have unknowingly fed the MAN. As Dewey Finn said, rock and roll was about Sticking it to the MAN.

Punk was the expression of teenage rebellion, of breaking beyond boundaries, exploring life, living life, getting hurt and healing.

So where does that leave bands like Green Day? Are they Popular music? If the last Grammy Awards are any indication, they most definately are. Are they Punk music? I'd like to think so, they've slogged through the last few years and have garnered their fair share of criticism and critical acclaim.

Cred, yeah Punk Credentials. It isn't about how many piercings you have, or how many pre-pubescent fans (and their parents) cue up to get front row seats in the mosh-pit. If you want to know what those credentials entail, and what your entitled to, go STICK it to the MAN

So what's it all about Alfie?

lets get this straight...

1) your kids will listen to music you hate
2) your kids will not listen to the "real" music you grew up with
3) no i will not turn the volume down.

therefore,
Pop + Punk = Ponk


If you disagree with me, sod off and go listen to your collectors edition LP of Flock of Seagulls.