Punk, post-punk, new wave Flashcards
What did punk have in common with disco in the 1970s?
It also emerged as a response to creative stasis of the rock establishment. Punk was conceived of as a reaction against the increasing theatricality and seriousness of rock.
What were the two distinct strains of punk and what was their center of origin?
North America: CBGB club in New York
United Kingdom: 100 Club in London
Name the 4 major American punk artists discussed.
The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, Patti Smith, The Ramones
What are the musical characteristics of the Velvet Underground?
Use of psychedelic elements, drones and noise, lyrical themes touching on drug addiction and sexuality
What are the musical characteristics of The Stooges?
Bridges hard rock and proto-punk garage band. They were also known for their shocking live performances, which included stage diving and self-mutilation. Their songs had an amateur aesthetic and were very riff-based, with rough, shouted vocals
Describe the musical characteristics of Patti Smith.
She was interested in merging rock with poetry and was the first rock musician to perform regularly at CBGB. She combined stripped down rock with poetic, stream of consciousness lyrics.
Describe the musical characteristics of The Ramones
Songs reminiscent of girl groups and rock n’ roll, but sped up and sloppier. Described their sound as sick bubble gum music.
How did the UK punk scene differ from the US punk scene?
It had more of a social and political resonance than the US because of the socioeconomic issues in the UK at the time, which facilitated the identification with punk’s nihilism. It also generated more attention in the press than US punk, inlcuding a moral panic.
Which US band is seen to have “brought” punk to the UK?
The Ramones.
Name the 3 UK punk bands discussed.
The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Buzzcocks
What was the musical style of the Sex Pistols?
Amateur musical style, songs about nationalism, the monarchy, abortion, and teenage boredom.
Describe the controversy involving the Sex Pistols on the Today show.
They were drunk and misbehaved on the talk show. This was the interview that got them fired by their first record label. It is seen to have initiated a moral panic about UK punk.
What were the musical characteristics of The Clash?
They were the artier side of UK punk and incorporated reggae, ska, funk, and rockabilly elements. They also had a more overt political agenda
What is post-punk?
It refers to late-1970s punk mainly from the UK. It is an extension of punk, but is less hardcore in terms of speed and energy and is more focused on autonomy and independence as punk rose to the mainstream, which many saw as going against its roots.
What was the major post-punk group discussed?
Joy Division
