Punk Rock Music

Punk rock is a sub-genre of rock and roll that began in the early '70s and has significantly changed the landscape of music since. Founded as a response to the music of its time, it is driven by short and aggressive songs that typically focus on political themes, countercultural doctrines or social messages. Today, punk has evolved and although it still exists in its underground form, it has influenced much of mainstream music and style.

The Essentials of Punk Rock Music

In the late '60s and '70s, rock and roll had evolved away from its roots. Although artists such as Patti Smith and The Velvet Underground aren't necessarily "punk rock music" in the way that it is currently defined, they were the precursors to the genre. Characterized by what some described as an inability to play their instruments, their music connected with the public by virtue of their politically driven lyrics and aggressive stage presence. At the core, they offered a different sound than what was generally available.

The true mastermind behind the explosion of punk rock was a man by the name of Malcolm McLaren. As a manager, he understood that one of the primary appeals of punk rock music lay in the shock value it could generate. Starting with a band named The New York Dolls and later with The Sex Pistols, he helped create the punk style that is more commonly associated with the genre. In many respects, McLaren also engineered part of the style's downfall by falling into many of the commercialization traps punk was initially fighting against.

Today, punk rock is still alive and well, although it has created many offshoots and sub-genres such as emo or ska-punk. Although punk was initially a youth movement, mainstream media has transformed it more into a style, with many commercial artists such as Sum 41 using the image of punk without necessarily upholding its original philosophy. Nevertheless, punk has truly affected rock and roll, generating classic songs and anthems such as those written by The Clash or The Ramones.