History Of Punk Rock

Like most major movements, punk rock developed as a reaction to social conditions of the time. By the late '60s and seventies, music companies were churning out a combination of cookie-cutter bands, lavish stage productions and artificial disco beats that were designed mostly to make a profit rather than reflect the current state of the world. Punk rock emerged from a general social dissatisfaction with political, social and musical trends of the time and rapidly set into motion a revolution that still influences music today.

A Brief History of Punk Rock

Although pinpointing the exact time of punk's birth is both impossible and futile, certain acts such as the New York Dolls and the Velvet Underground are generally considered to be the precursors of the genre. Regulars of the New York underground scene, they offered an alternative to contemporary music, by blending poetry with socially charged messages and aggressive music. As their following grew so did the artists that they influenced.

The famed CBGB's club in New York City was truly the first haven for a number of punk rock acts that included the Ramones, Blondie and Talking Heads. With a foothold in Manhattan, punk rock began spawning in other parts of the world, notably in England where some of its most famous bands would come from. In fact, within a short period punk rock became synonymous with the British Island, in great part due to the work of Malcolm McLaren, the manager of the Sex Pistols.

Today punk rock is still alive, although the music has in great part been sucked into the general consciousness. Many underground bands still continue to uphold the original principals upon which punk was based, but the music has also developed commercialized offshoots that are a part of the mainstream. From the musical influences, to the style and social message, punk has truly played an important role in music for the past 30 years and as one of the longest running sub-genres of rock and roll, seems destined to be around for some time.