Research: Music - Punk

During the 70's, a rebellion against anti-authority began. Punk was born as an aggressive, anarchist no-holds-barred movement, defying anything which told them what to do. Punk does not conform to rules, or to establishment, and cannot be controlled.


In terms of music, bands emerged primarily throughout the USA and UK.
Punk Rock music rejected typical rules for songwriting. Why does there have to be a beginning, middle and end? Why does the singer have to be able to 'sing'? Why does rock and roll music have to contain lengthy solo's? Typically, Punk Rock songs are shorter than other genres, lasting around 2 minutes long. Most consist of gritty, three chord riffs played loudly or out of tune. Singers don't usually sing to a standard most would call acceptable. Punk bands were vulgar, outspoken, wild, and the young generation went crazy for them.


The Ramones were founded in the USA, were a punk rock band which actually related to the pop music they grew up listening to.  They took on the pseudonyms, and all used the same surname 'Ramone'. One their first self titled album 'Ramones', their longest song lasted only two and a half minutes. They are gritty, fast paced and energetic.

The Ramones

Ramones drummer Tommy Ramone said 'In its initial form, a lot of [1960s] stuff was innovative and exciting. Unfortunately, what happens is that people who could not hold a candle to the likes of Hendrix started noodling away. Soon you had endless solos that went nowhere. By 1973, I knew that what was needed was some pure, stripped down, no bullshit rock 'n' roll.'




The New York Dolls came from the USA Punk scene. The original line-up, lasting only 5 years, only released 2 albums, but were enough to inspire many future rock stars in the glam scene with their outrageous attitude, make-up and unique appearance.

The New York Dolls

Arguably the biggest punk rock band to emerge was England's own Sex Pistols. Provocatively named, they were unchainable. They were loud, aggressive, threatening and hated authority, especially the government and the royal family.

The original popular line-up only lasted 3 years, and only released 3 albums, one of which was their early demo recordings, the other a live set with other artists.

Some of the Sex Pistols iconic antics are aimed at the royal family. As a publicity stunt, they performed their song 'Anarchy in the UK' on a boat called Queen Elizabeth on the river Themes as it sailed past the houses of parliament. They were arrested when the boat docked.

Sex Pistols

Their slogan 'No Future' shouted at the government for their strict law which punk thought was too much like a dictatorship.

One the cover for their single 'God Save The Queen', artist Jamie Reid disfigured the iconic image of the queens coronation to create a cultural uproar.

God Save The Queen