For today's blog we were asked to look at an episode from the BBC series 'Seven Ages of Rock'. The episode concerned Punk. Here a small overview of the development.
It is usually said that punk started in the mid-1960's, with The Velvet Underground. When looking at the documentary, this seems perfectly logical. Their music was so different from the rock that was common those days. Then with it came the influence of Andy Warhol as their manager, and Punk was born. The influences they had can also be seen in the clothing that comes with punk: it is different, it is rough and it is also somewhat Andy Warhol.
Influence also clearly comes from David Bowie and his colleagues. . Artists like him were dressing outrageously, living extravagantly and producing loud trashy rock and roll. All these elements can be seen back in punk.
A third influence came from society. There, there was a group that did not feel like the hippies, the group that controlled the 1960's. They wanted something different: not the flower power, love, peace and happiness, but a rough edge. Punk only filled up this empty hole, and fulfilled the wishes of these people.
Looking at the documentary does not change my view on punk. I still do not really like it. I miss ingenious melodies etcetera. I can see why other people like it though, and why it thrills them. But personally, I do not get a kick out of it.
This might well be the last blog ever. If so, thank you for reading all posts. I felt it was fun writing them.
If it is not, then I'll see you soon with a new post!
