... the other Black experience
Get Your McLaren Outta My Shit Rant
If u really wanna go "back to roots" on this subculture music-wise u gotta learn what u can about pub-rock and similar bands in the mid-1970s and shit google up the origins of .The New York Dolls, Pure Hell, The Zulu Nation, and Sex (the store) on the King's Road in England.
As far as the look...a good spot ta start would be the biggest influence on the most recognizable punk look, which comes outta mostly Black & Puerto-Rican 1970s street crews' styles, especially around The Bronx, who was in turn influenced by the older bikers, but they was too young or ain't have the mentality needed to join biker gangs.
Afrikka Bambataa and Malcolm McLaren worked together a lil bit while McLaren was in the U.S. & they had wanted to blend the hobbies & lifestyles of street level youth together, even more than they did with the creation of hip-hop & punk rock. For some reason, that ain't happen. If it had went off the way they planned, "punk rock" would likely be a part of hip-hop...and in the 1st wave, punk rockers around the initial hip-hop scene was known as p-boys and p-girls in some circles, and thier lifestyle was considered by some to be within the elements of hip hop.
The other big outside influence on Malcolm McLarens' "punk fashion meal ticket", was French Situationist youth. After a trip to France, that brought a group of kids from Paris back to England to see more of punk rock, thier way of dress "spread like wild-fire" in the UK punk scene...which was the 2nd source to "re-introduce" the black leather biker jacket as a symbol of rebellion. Of course, this is ironic, considering that it was made for military use, but that's another story.
To the best of my knowledge, this is a true, albiet incomplete summary of some of the main influences on 1st wave punk rock that stand out today. All are invited to drop more knowledge & add on to this post, or correct any errors, if you can back it up with proof.
The inspiration for this post, was a passing thought...that "punk rock" ain't, and never was "from the UK"; but actually on many many many levels, from mostly Black origins instead. We created rock, we created the styles seen most often today that are called punk rock, and we continue to set the trends, which are co-opted into the mainstream, as punk rock, hip-rock, punk-hop and any of these other stupid names they come up with today.
Finally...the obsession with punk rock music, or dressing a certain way is an unnecessary, but often fun choice. The fact that neither of these is NECCESARY to be a lifestylist in this sub-culture, invalidates the labels.
For now, no "new label" has been found...and many believe that a year from now, or maybe two, this "Black Rock Kids" trend will fade away...leaving the lifestylists in a position of having to constantly explain themselves, and even physically defend themselves, like in the past. I, for one, don't label myself as a punk rocker, and I haven't for years. Personally, my mindset fit into the subculture to a large extent years before I knew what punk rock was. I believe that to be the "safest" mindset, because depending on somebody or something else for your own self-validation is foolish.
I see more and more kids calling themselves "Afro Punks", not realizing, that that is the name of a movie & a company. You don't own "Afro-Punk"...nor do you need a label. When the trend dies down...those who stand on thier own without relying on a label for self-esteem will be the ones in the best shape.
If you MUST pick a label...I suggest the one that was around even before Rock n' Roll was acceptable outside of the ghetto. "Rockers"...plain and simple. It doesn't even mean that you are obsessed with Rock n' Roll. I will try to dig up more history on the Rockers, which is about as tough as finding Black punk rockers on the internet 15 years ago...if you find it first, I ask that u add on to this thread or send me a message. Now go fuck shit up your way.
As far as the look...a good spot ta start would be the biggest influence on the most recognizable punk look, which comes outta mostly Black & Puerto-Rican 1970s street crews' styles, especially around The Bronx, who was in turn influenced by the older bikers, but they was too young or ain't have the mentality needed to join biker gangs.
Afrikka Bambataa and Malcolm McLaren worked together a lil bit while McLaren was in the U.S. & they had wanted to blend the hobbies & lifestyles of street level youth together, even more than they did with the creation of hip-hop & punk rock. For some reason, that ain't happen. If it had went off the way they planned, "punk rock" would likely be a part of hip-hop...and in the 1st wave, punk rockers around the initial hip-hop scene was known as p-boys and p-girls in some circles, and thier lifestyle was considered by some to be within the elements of hip hop.
The other big outside influence on Malcolm McLarens' "punk fashion meal ticket", was French Situationist youth. After a trip to France, that brought a group of kids from Paris back to England to see more of punk rock, thier way of dress "spread like wild-fire" in the UK punk scene...which was the 2nd source to "re-introduce" the black leather biker jacket as a symbol of rebellion. Of course, this is ironic, considering that it was made for military use, but that's another story.
To the best of my knowledge, this is a true, albiet incomplete summary of some of the main influences on 1st wave punk rock that stand out today. All are invited to drop more knowledge & add on to this post, or correct any errors, if you can back it up with proof.
The inspiration for this post, was a passing thought...that "punk rock" ain't, and never was "from the UK"; but actually on many many many levels, from mostly Black origins instead. We created rock, we created the styles seen most often today that are called punk rock, and we continue to set the trends, which are co-opted into the mainstream, as punk rock, hip-rock, punk-hop and any of these other stupid names they come up with today.
Finally...the obsession with punk rock music, or dressing a certain way is an unnecessary, but often fun choice. The fact that neither of these is NECCESARY to be a lifestylist in this sub-culture, invalidates the labels.
For now, no "new label" has been found...and many believe that a year from now, or maybe two, this "Black Rock Kids" trend will fade away...leaving the lifestylists in a position of having to constantly explain themselves, and even physically defend themselves, like in the past. I, for one, don't label myself as a punk rocker, and I haven't for years. Personally, my mindset fit into the subculture to a large extent years before I knew what punk rock was. I believe that to be the "safest" mindset, because depending on somebody or something else for your own self-validation is foolish.
I see more and more kids calling themselves "Afro Punks", not realizing, that that is the name of a movie & a company. You don't own "Afro-Punk"...nor do you need a label. When the trend dies down...those who stand on thier own without relying on a label for self-esteem will be the ones in the best shape.
If you MUST pick a label...I suggest the one that was around even before Rock n' Roll was acceptable outside of the ghetto. "Rockers"...plain and simple. It doesn't even mean that you are obsessed with Rock n' Roll. I will try to dig up more history on the Rockers, which is about as tough as finding Black punk rockers on the internet 15 years ago...if you find it first, I ask that u add on to this thread or send me a message. Now go fuck shit up your way.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kemet on
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Yeah, because if they knew the Blak roots they'd off themselves Clayton Bigsby-style for being Nga love-ahs!! ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Calvin Chaos on -
LOL Kemet...but for some of 'em that's true...speakin' of shit like that; who KNOWS what "Nazi Skinheads" are thinkin...assuming that they think.
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Permalink Reply by Syzhorra on
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When we call ourselves "Afro-punks" it's because we take it as something more than a movie or just company. It's a family to some people. The place you meet your new friends that you can't believe you haven't known since you were born. We're a group and we simply choice to call ourselves that. Even if labels are wrong we are Afro-punks. Just calling it Rockers is basically the same thing only being a lot more general. It's not anyones fault Spooner happened to pick the best name ever for his movie and company.
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Permalink Reply by Calvin Chaos on
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I never said nothin evangelical like it's "wrong" ta make up YOUR OWN MIND about if u wanna be labeled or not. u got FREE WILL right.
I said "You don't own "Afro-Punk"...nor do you need a label."
I been thru the whole shit of pickin a group & seein' it years later fall apart or change in ways that we woulda laughed at years & years ago...callin' just about the whole "modern scene" fakes. After that, u end up without your "Afro-Punks" & get left w/ the fashion kids who just do it cause MTV says it's cool. I can see how somebody in...what is this supposed ta be the "4th wave", would see Afro-Punk like a lifestyle though.
James had a whole different idea for the movie when he went out & started filmin', bein that he set out ta find other Black folks who had been Street Punx like him, and other Black Punx, as many as possible.
...it just so happened that the folks who gave the most coherent & excited responses happened ta be folks who never went thru the lil pigeonholed underground punk scene, but they was just ostracized the same way regardless at work, school, etc just for havin a brain & usin it insteada bein' sheep. ...so these folks was even MORE excited, cause they never had the group or label ta say "you're ok bein' you" in the FIRST place, like punx did.
Imma tell u a motto I been usin for years; u only live once so do what u wanna...except puttin' words in my mouth.
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Permalink Reply by sublimityeternal on -
Sweet post!
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Permalink Reply by Rhinos Have More Fun on -
Speaking of hiphop and punk roots--can anybody remember that Talking Heads video of "Crosseyed and Painless" when they have the guys poplocking? Growing up, I always thought it was extremely interesting that my white friends would rave about how great and innovative the Heads were (and they DEFINITELY were!), yet they insisted on giving the band that new wave/punk tag without acknowledging the characteristics that had been lifted directly from r&b/funk bands of the 70's. Even before I even made the Tom-Tom Club connection, it was obvious to me that the Talking Heads were as equally influenced by funk as they were by cats like Brian Eno and Bowie...
So when we showed up at one of the first Stop Making Sense screenings, I was suprised to see P-Funk's Bernie Worrell playing synths, but I couldn't help but gloat. Hahaha
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