Punk Isn’t Dead, You’re Looking in the Wrong Places.
Variants—All photos by Andrew Lawrence
Over the last 50+ years, there has been an argument over who and where punk started. Modern historians like to use buzz phrases like, "Proto-punk,” which just means before. So, in the same way as Mozart was "proto punk",“ so are Iggy Pop and MC5; none of the aforementioned artists ARE or were Punk.
There's even a huge difference between punk and punk rock. The first musician to be called"punk" was Buddy Holly, and it was used as a derogatory comment. GG Allin wasn't punk; he was just controversial for the sake of it. A lot like Marilyn Manson. The manufactured band The Ramones wore their “costumes “ on stage, yet aspired to be America's answer to The Bay City Rollers. Then in the UK we get the legendary Sex Pistols, another manufactured band that was created to stir up the music business. The Damned were probably the best punk rock band to come out of the UK. Just a shame that they briefly morphed into probably the worst goth band ever, before they returned to their roots.
Variants—All photos by Andrew Lawrence
What shows that punk is not dead are festivals like Rebellion in Blackpool, England. It's just celebrated its 30th year with 10000 attendees and 300 artists performing.
Whereas goth seems to be trapped in the 80s and only bands from 40+ years ago have stood the test of time, punk bands old and new get along with each other and thrive because of it. At a recent event, three bands proved that. The first band on, Variants from Leeds (the birthplace of goth), provided an excellent mix of old-school punk rock with a modern spin on it. Their guitarist, Mark Wilson, was originally in the rockabilly band Pink Peg Slax, so it added that "Gretch" flavour to it.
SNM—All photos by Andrew Lawrence
Next up were SNM from Brighton. When I first encountered SNM, they were 17, and when I interviewed them then, I told them that I had not seen 17-year-olds play so well since I was 17, which was 50+ years ago. Now, three years on from that meeting, they grow from strength to strength, and I firmly believe they are the future.
The final act was Healthy Junkies, who are London-based with a French vocalist, who pack in venues all across the UK, and even did a tour of the USA a few years ago
If people are tired of watching the same old punk bands wheeled out on stage for another performance to help their pension plan, then look up Variants, SNM and Healthy Junkies. You won't be disappointed, and all of them will show you that punk is still very much alive and kicking and screaming.
