PUNK REVOLUTION
Called garage musicians, “Punk Rock” was used to describe the sound
Way back in the 60’s when bands like the Sonics were around
No musical or vocal instruction some might say musical fools
Because of their naivety & limited skill, they were able to break the rules
Into the late 60’s come the Stooges & the MC5 in Detroit, who were raw and crude
Often political, opening the eyes of the world, their concerts often violent in mood
The velvet underground managed by Andy Warhol are the next piece of the puzzle to fit
Musically more noise than sound, expanding the definitions of music without even realizing it
Glam rock the final primary influence, with artists like Bowie, & the New York Dolls coming through
Dressing outrageously, living extravagantly and producing loud trashy rock and roll too
Though Glam was heading for a split, this was not the end, a great change was happening within
Its influence was portioned out to hard rock, hair metal & punk rock. A new chapter about to begin
New York was home to the first concrete punk rock scene, now punk was truly coming alive
With the Ramones, Wayne County, Johnny Thunders, & Blondie, there was a new energy & drive
Playing regularly in the Bowery District, notably at CBGB, enjoying great publicity and fame
Though with changing styles and a shift away from punk rock, things wouldn’t be the same
Unified by location, camaraderie, and shared musical influences, New Yorks heyday had come
Down but not out, across the pond in London a new punk rock chapter had just begun
England's punk scene had political and economic roots, with the economy in poor shape
Unemployment rates at an all-time high. England's youth were angry and needed an escape
Angry, rebellious and out of work, with strong opinions and a lot of free time they began to converge
Out of one shop called simply “SEX” the beginnings of punk fashion, as we know it began to emerge Owned by Malcolm McClaren, who tried to reinvent The New York Dolls with his clothing & failed
He looked to the youths who worked & hung out in his shop, to keep his dreams from being derailed
This project would eventually become the Sex Pistols as we know and love them today
But who could have imagined the large following they would develop, so quickly along the way
An outrageous bunch of young punks known as the Bromley Contingent were among their fans
Quickly realising that they could do it themselves, they began developing their own exciting plans
Named after their neighbourhood the Bromley’s formed a large portion of the London punk scene
With the Clash, The Slits. Generation X, (fronted by a young Billy Idol), Punk was reigning supreme
A new generation was taking hold, X-Ray Spex, Siouxsie & the Banshees, were also at the fore
Once again the World would take notice. Punk was at the forefront of the music scene once more
By the late '70s, Punk music had finished its beginning and had emerged as a solid musical force
With its rise in popularity, punk began to split into numerous sub-genres, changing course
New musicians embraced the DIY movement and began to create their own individual style
Ensuring The British punk scene & The Punk Rock Revolution would continue for a very long while