This April is a big month for the genre of punk rock. The Ramones debut album was released 40 years ago this month, The Clash's debut was released 39 years ago and April 9th was Riot Grrrl Day. As a huge fan of punk, I have been thinking about what punk rock has done for me and every other fan over the past 40 years.
It's no secret that punk has always been loud and in your face. Punk began with bands wanting to play to have their voices heard. That combined with its "DIY or die" mentality has helped the genre thrive and inspire all who listened. The music may not have been technically perfect, but the message was loud, clear and what counted.
This mentality is what attracted me to punk. One of the first band t-shirts I ever bought, albums I ever picked up and music videos I ever watched were all by The Ramones. I discovered The Clash's "Combat Rock" around the same time. I had never in my life heard anything like them. Their lyrics and instrumentation were off the wall, but just what I needed to hear. These bands were pivotal in shaping my attitude and style as a teenager. They taught me and my friends that it was not only okay to stick out, but you should be proud of it. These were crucial lessons for an anxious little girl who felt like she needed to blend in.
Fast forward to my early 20s when I discovered Riot Grrrl. Riot Grrrl was a feminist punk movement that started in the early 90s. It was all about making a safe space for women in the violent punk scene at the time. Their lyrics were about female empowerment and women's issues.
The day I discovered Bikini Kill, Sleater Kinney and Bratmobile is a day I'll be thankful for for the rest of my life. The lessons their lyrics and attitudes taught me helped me transition into a new phase in my life. Not only did they help give me confidence in my voice, but my body image and work as well. The women in these bands helped me realize that I shouldn't care what other people think about what I'm saying, as long as it matters and I'm saying it. This lesson couldn't have come at a better time, as I was just starting my career in journalism and didn't know if my writing was worth it.
Punk is not dead, not by a long shot. I'm not just talking about bands carrying on this legacy either (of which there are many). I mean that the attitudes and philosophies of this genre will never go away either. Punk has helped so many people find their voices in this strange world. As long as those people exist, punk will as well.
