Punk week at audiography

[castalia]

I just knew this week's topic would bring wank. I'd ask what is it about punk fans that makes them so confrontational about their music more than any other genre fans, but that would be rhetorical.

Already we've had bickering over the definition of "real" punk. The usual intimations that "back in my day..." punk was this, punk was that, punk was just TOO HARD CORE OMG and you so couldn't handle it!

At least there were a few honest folk who admitted that most punk music is loud and incoherent and harsh to listen to b/c most of the "musicians" involved couldn't sing and quite often couldn't really play, either.

I'll readily admit this is one genre I just don't "get", although I'm sure some of you might. I love music and there's not a genre out there in which I can't find something I like - except punk. My sister loves the stuff and I had to suffer through so much loud playing of The Ramones and The Clash and The Dead Kennedys and other harsh guitar abuse riddled with profanity until my ears bled. It may be a statement, it may be something, but I'm not sure I call it music. I sure don't call it pleasant to listen to.

I hope this week's theme is over soon. I'm getting tired of all the "punker than you" elitist attitudes that are coming out of the woodwork thanks to this one. No one posts anything w/o taking a cheap shot at previous posts, then someone always comes by and says it doesn't conform to their definition. Though I'm sure they'd detest my use of "conform" in this case.

They're talking about following up with a "hardcore" week at some point. I love my community, but it's sure to end up on fandom_wank that week.

Comments

[keleos.livejournal.com]

Just for not liking punk. And I might just help him.

I'm thinking that you may not have been exposed to enough punk. Shut up, don't argue with me in your brain until you've read what I have to type. I mean it. Shut up. Okay? Okay.

I understand, to a certain degree, why you might think you don't like punk. Yes, there are bands out there that play one chord and sing like crap. But there are many bands that don't. Punk is generally a stripped down sound, but that doesn't mean it's any less musical. And before you think, as you usually do, that I don't have a clue what I'm talking about I would take this moment to remind you that I was a music major in college. I know music. I would suggest that you listen to more of the West Coast punk... NOFX, Nerfherder, and, oh, here's one you might know... Green Day. And I don't give a frak what the snarky old farts say, Green Day IS punk. I live with a NYC punk who spent his formative years in CBGB's... and even he admits Green Day is punk. It's more pop than a lot of the mid-80's stuff, but it's still punk. It's also my preferred punk. I LOVE Nerfherder. And if you want to expand your horizons a bit more, I might even suggest a couple of *gasp* ska bands. I don't like ska, not my thing, but I like Goldfinger and Dance Hall Crashers. Especially Dance Hall Crashers... it's a female ska band. They lost the horns and became the Soviettes... which is a sort of punk band. They majorly influenced one of my new favorite girl bands... Go Betty Go. I like West Coast punk, pop punk, and Oi... and I think you might too if you give it a chance and if you try to listen to it without prejudice.

But you still can't come to my house. Maligning the Ramones is a killing offense in this household.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Ok, whoa. I never said you didn't know what you were talking about. But I know music, too, and I know what I like. I'm willing to give anything a try when it comes to music. I've tried punk, didn't like anything I heard, no big deal. I'm always willing to listen to more, but I don't go out of my way for it.

I've tried ska, too, and there are a few things I've liked. I like some Green Day, but not all of it. I just don't like screamy music, full stop. It's the reason I skip over half the tracks on my Linkin Park CDs - when the bands start screaming, I'm done.

I'd come anyway and play weird music back at you. But not if I'm to be preached at like I'm just so sheltered b/c I don't care for something.

[keleos.livejournal.com]

I don't like screamy music either. I'm a vocalist, and screaming hurts my brain. I'm just saying, considering who I live with, I've probably been exposed to more punk than you, and maybe you should try a different type of punk before you give up on the genre completely. Like any genre, there are little offshoots and branches that are definitely interest. I suggested West Coast punk, but you could also look into horror pop or psychobilly. Those are also considered punk, but they're sort of out there and way different than anything else. Just because you don't like brussel sprouts doesn't mean you won't like all vegetables, so why don't you try some broccoli or some corn. Not preaching... advocating.

And you never say I don't know what I'm talking about, but you always assume it. I was heading that bus off at the pass.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Yeah, thanks for that little assumption on your part.

[keleos.livejournal.com]

Assumption based on past experience, dear. Been that way since you visited in NYC, there was a definite shift. That's fine, can't change the way people think, and most of the time it suits my purposes to allow people to underestimate me.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I don't really know what you're talking about, but I'm gonna stop arguing about it b/c obviously you know what I'm thinking better than I do.

[keleos.livejournal.com]

Don't know what you're thinking. Just know what it feels like on this end.

And I didn't realize we were arguing. I was just discussing. Sorry.