Buzzcocks singer Pete Shelley shouted down
October 8, 2002 12:07 AM Subscribe
Buzzcocks singer Pete Shelley shouted down for yelling "Fuck George Bush!" by an angry crowd at the Inland Punk Rock Festival in California (about halfway into the article.) At least according to a friend of some guy who writes for the Weekly Standard who took his teenage daughter to the concert and had no idea who the Buzzcocks were. Was anyone there? Did this really happen?
But the full quote was actually: "F--- GEORGE BUSH! DON'T LISTEN TO HIM. WE HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING IN IRAQ, NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS."
posted by hama7 at 12:20 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by hama7 at 12:20 AM on October 8, 2002
Ahhh...let's see:
1) 'Punks' booing someone who said disrespectful things about a warmongering politician.
2) Entertainment writers and kids at a punk show who don't even know who the Buzzcocks are (they've been around for what, over 25 years now?).
3)A writer who concludes that 'the kids' ain't so bad after all, cause regardless of their 'wacky hairstyles, funny piercing, and loud music etc.', they still shine bright when it comes to reactionary patriotism.
Yes my friends, punk is truly dead.
posted by tiger yang at 12:36 AM on October 8, 2002
1) 'Punks' booing someone who said disrespectful things about a warmongering politician.
2) Entertainment writers and kids at a punk show who don't even know who the Buzzcocks are (they've been around for what, over 25 years now?).
3)A writer who concludes that 'the kids' ain't so bad after all, cause regardless of their 'wacky hairstyles, funny piercing, and loud music etc.', they still shine bright when it comes to reactionary patriotism.
Yes my friends, punk is truly dead.
posted by tiger yang at 12:36 AM on October 8, 2002
tiger yang, you took the words right out of my keyboard.
posted by t r a c y at 12:44 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by t r a c y at 12:44 AM on October 8, 2002
I thought the same tonight tiger yang with those Coors Light commercials played during Monday Night Football. Everything about the sound, the edge was punk. But it wasn't. It was about selling corporate beer, beer with a rebellious edge. Ummmm okay. . .
I wasn't at the show but:
F--- GEORGE BUSH anyway.
On preview:
Thank god though witty, that Christian Punk is HOTTTTTT Yo!
posted by crasspastor at 12:50 AM on October 8, 2002
I wasn't at the show but:
F--- GEORGE BUSH anyway.
On preview:
Thank god though witty, that Christian Punk is HOTTTTTT Yo!
posted by crasspastor at 12:50 AM on October 8, 2002
"Punk" has been trendy music for frat boys since the whole grunge thing.
posted by D.C. at 12:50 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by D.C. at 12:50 AM on October 8, 2002
californian punks are dead. thankfully the buzzcocks are still alive
posted by quarsan at 12:50 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by quarsan at 12:50 AM on October 8, 2002
Something seems off about this whole story. And since when am I supposed to put any stock into anything this guy has to say about politics and/or punk rock, even if he was in Waiting for Guffman?
posted by sklero at 1:04 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by sklero at 1:04 AM on October 8, 2002
Punk's not dead.
First of all, the Inland Punk Rock Festival is a KROQ (read: Infinity broadcasting's Alternative West Coast Flagship) event, a place where dad's can take their alterna-teen's to see "punk" acts like Blink-182 and New Found Glory. Hah.
Second, for those of you who are ignorant of California's 909 "Inland" demographic; picture mullets, monster trucks, decals with Calvin pissing on Ford logos, and decals of Calvin pissing on Dodge logos. All of them plastered in the latest "Never Forget" gear.
So, only god knows what Pete Shelley was thinking.
posted by perplexed at 1:09 AM on October 8, 2002
First of all, the Inland Punk Rock Festival is a KROQ (read: Infinity broadcasting's Alternative West Coast Flagship) event, a place where dad's can take their alterna-teen's to see "punk" acts like Blink-182 and New Found Glory. Hah.
Second, for those of you who are ignorant of California's 909 "Inland" demographic; picture mullets, monster trucks, decals with Calvin pissing on Ford logos, and decals of Calvin pissing on Dodge logos. All of them plastered in the latest "Never Forget" gear.
So, only god knows what Pete Shelley was thinking.
posted by perplexed at 1:09 AM on October 8, 2002
californian punks are dead. thankfully the buzzcocks are still alive
We don’t need your your rules, flash is so punk.
posted by Gary at 1:12 AM on October 8, 2002
We don’t need your your rules, flash is so punk.
posted by Gary at 1:12 AM on October 8, 2002
Punk's not dead, it just smells funny.
(someone had to say it)
posted by zztzed at 1:26 AM on October 8, 2002
(someone had to say it)
posted by zztzed at 1:26 AM on October 8, 2002
I can't even think where to begin pointing out what's wrong with that. Something to do with the "What ever the American government do, it's just plain RIGHT. And the kids know it. Good kids." but doesn't point out the utter irony of their selective patriotism.
It's beside the point, but still, writing things like "No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no." gets really fucking annoying after the 16th repetition.
posted by ed\26h at 2:02 AM on October 8, 2002
It's beside the point, but still, writing things like "No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no. No wait yes, no wait no." gets really fucking annoying after the 16th repetition.
posted by ed\26h at 2:02 AM on October 8, 2002
go to one of these goofy things unsupervised
"Never heard of them."
"Gee, I didn't know I could throw up that much."
They might not be able to point out the no-fly zones on a map, but they knew what was right. (i.e. they don't know their arse from their elbow)
Just a few lines from the article which ensured the my blood boileth over.
posted by johnnyboy at 2:19 AM on October 8, 2002
"Never heard of them."
"Gee, I didn't know I could throw up that much."
They might not be able to point out the no-fly zones on a map, but they knew what was right. (i.e. they don't know their arse from their elbow)
Just a few lines from the article which ensured the my blood boileth over.
posted by johnnyboy at 2:19 AM on October 8, 2002
but they knew, to a person, what was right.
That wouldn't have anything to do with mob rule, the conformity of crowds, lemming-like behavior, or anything along those lines, of course.
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:03 AM on October 8, 2002
That wouldn't have anything to do with mob rule, the conformity of crowds, lemming-like behavior, or anything along those lines, of course.
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:03 AM on October 8, 2002
Ironically, the "punks" I see today are the most uniformed flock of sheep ever; all with mohawk-style, colored hair, scottish pattern pants, palestinian scarves, army boots and nail belts. Oh, and piercings, of course. How's that for "rebellion"?
"Get your ProtestPack 2000(tm) here!"
posted by dagny at 3:07 AM on October 8, 2002
"Get your ProtestPack 2000(tm) here!"
posted by dagny at 3:07 AM on October 8, 2002
So let me get this straight, kids reject an opinion that figure is trying to foist on them?
And this a bad thing?
Telling people what to think, whether it's left wing or right wing views is never good.
posted by PenDevil at 3:27 AM on October 8, 2002
And this a bad thing?
Telling people what to think, whether it's left wing or right wing views is never good.
posted by PenDevil at 3:27 AM on October 8, 2002
This is highly funny...but in a Tommy Cooper dying (literally) on stage kind of way.
Y'know, if was was Saddan Hussain or Osama bin Laden (and I'm not in case you were wondering) I'd just keep my head down & let Mullet America - and the Euro & Asian equivalents - consume itself.
Then again, my money is still on the ants...
posted by i_cola at 3:31 AM on October 8, 2002
Y'know, if was was Saddan Hussain or Osama bin Laden (and I'm not in case you were wondering) I'd just keep my head down & let Mullet America - and the Euro & Asian equivalents - consume itself.
Then again, my money is still on the ants...
posted by i_cola at 3:31 AM on October 8, 2002
If this actually happened the way he said, I wonder if any of it had to do with the fact Pete Shelley is a foreigner. The 'we can criticise our government but you can't' sort of mentality. That's the only explanation I can think of. Teenagers should be anti-government by instinct. It's the way of the world.
posted by Summer at 3:34 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by Summer at 3:34 AM on October 8, 2002
That audience sounds like a bunch of posers; they don't even rate the 'u'.
posted by mischief at 4:18 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by mischief at 4:18 AM on October 8, 2002
I don't trust a man who doesn't know who the Buzzcocks are to tell me what happened at a Buzzcocks concert. Like saying, "I don't know who Mozart is, but people seemed to hate his little Figaro play."
dagny, if the only punks you know look like they walked off the set of Sid & Nancy, then let me be the first to tell you just don't know punk.
You can trash that StereotypePackTM. So old, so tired.
posted by raaka at 4:41 AM on October 8, 2002
dagny, if the only punks you know look like they walked off the set of Sid & Nancy, then let me be the first to tell you just don't know punk.
You can trash that StereotypePackTM. So old, so tired.
posted by raaka at 4:41 AM on October 8, 2002
omg punks dead - we can scratch population segment 103-4a from our lists forever! long live punk!
"I'll tell you about punk rock: punk rock is a word used by dillitante's and ah... and ah... heartless manipulators about music that takes up the energies and the bodies and the hearts and the souls and the time and the minds of young men who give what they have to it and give everything they have to it and it's a... it's a term that's based on contempt, it's a term that's based on fashion, style, elitism, satanism and everything that's rotten about rock'n'roll. " - iggy
posted by carfilhiot at 4:45 AM on October 8, 2002
"I'll tell you about punk rock: punk rock is a word used by dillitante's and ah... and ah... heartless manipulators about music that takes up the energies and the bodies and the hearts and the souls and the time and the minds of young men who give what they have to it and give everything they have to it and it's a... it's a term that's based on contempt, it's a term that's based on fashion, style, elitism, satanism and everything that's rotten about rock'n'roll. " - iggy
posted by carfilhiot at 4:45 AM on October 8, 2002
Ironically, the "punks" I see today are the most uniformed flock of sheep ever
Ce plus la change . . .
posted by yerfatma at 4:48 AM on October 8, 2002
Ce plus la change . . .
posted by yerfatma at 4:48 AM on October 8, 2002
So, only god knows what Pete Shelley was thinking.
uh, thats the sort of thing that punks do.
punks not dead.
posted by goneill at 4:52 AM on October 8, 2002
uh, thats the sort of thing that punks do.
punks not dead.
posted by goneill at 4:52 AM on October 8, 2002
Punk is a mindstate, not a musical style. The music comes from the punks, not vice versa. Punk is not dead. Guitar-rock has co-opted the name, but not the attitude.
posted by Fabulon7 at 5:47 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by Fabulon7 at 5:47 AM on October 8, 2002
californian punks are dead
I say thee nay! (Fun stuff!)
posted by Shane at 5:51 AM on October 8, 2002
I say thee nay! (Fun stuff!)
posted by Shane at 5:51 AM on October 8, 2002
I expect if you asked the majority of the kids in that audience or indeed Mr. Miller why "we" should march into Iraq they probably wouldn't know and would just start shouting "USA #1... USA #1" at you.
With regards to the "Is punk dead?" thing. I don't think it matters. Discussing that would be a pretty trivial tangent to go off on, if you ask me. It sounded like a pop show for kids. Just why the Buzzcocks were there I've no idea.
posted by ed\26h at 6:03 AM on October 8, 2002
With regards to the "Is punk dead?" thing. I don't think it matters. Discussing that would be a pretty trivial tangent to go off on, if you ask me. It sounded like a pop show for kids. Just why the Buzzcocks were there I've no idea.
posted by ed\26h at 6:03 AM on October 8, 2002
Punk is a mindstate, not a musical style. The music comes from the punks, not vice versa. Punk is not dead. Guitar-rock has co-opted the name, but not the attitude.
Thank you. Meanwhile, can I just restate this question: Larry Miller is a forty- or fifty-something stand-up comic. He has been in the entertainment industry for decades. And he has never *heard*of the Buzzcocks? How is that even possible? Not hearing their music, maybe--but their name?
This reminds me of a clip I saw from the 700 Club (I don't know how I saw it) in the '80s in which Pat Robertson was listing the disgusting names of punk bands: Suicidal Tendencies, Circle Jerks, Agnostic Front, etc. The climax of his diatribe? The most offensive name? Talking Heads. Huh?
One more thing: this girl is 16 and her father wouldn't let her go to some corporate-sponsored "punk rock festival" (by the way, if it's a "festival, it's not "punk rock")? When my friends and I were 16, our parents had no idea what concerts we were going to. And we were the nerds!
posted by notclosed at 6:12 AM on October 8, 2002
Thank you. Meanwhile, can I just restate this question: Larry Miller is a forty- or fifty-something stand-up comic. He has been in the entertainment industry for decades. And he has never *heard*of the Buzzcocks? How is that even possible? Not hearing their music, maybe--but their name?
This reminds me of a clip I saw from the 700 Club (I don't know how I saw it) in the '80s in which Pat Robertson was listing the disgusting names of punk bands: Suicidal Tendencies, Circle Jerks, Agnostic Front, etc. The climax of his diatribe? The most offensive name? Talking Heads. Huh?
One more thing: this girl is 16 and her father wouldn't let her go to some corporate-sponsored "punk rock festival" (by the way, if it's a "festival, it's not "punk rock")? When my friends and I were 16, our parents had no idea what concerts we were going to. And we were the nerds!
posted by notclosed at 6:12 AM on October 8, 2002
um.
punk is most certainly dead. punk was dead by the time the exploited released 'punks not dead' in like 1982 or 1983. you could tell because a bunch of reactionary morons like the exploited felt compelled to refute the idea it might not be.
it had already been played out by that point. i would argue punk was in its death throes about the time my high school punk band first took the stage in 1980. it wasn't quite totally dead, had a couple of moment left of lucidity and strength, but it was definitely on an irreversible terminal slide.
when i was a teenager in 1980, 1969 (and the Stooges) seemed like ancient roots music for my scene. 1965 (and the Beatles) seemed like totally irrelevant dinosaurs from a bygone day. 1960? Pat Boone and stuff? That was like unimaginably not connected to my life.
That was a 20 year gap. "Punks" today are listening to the same music I was 25 years ago. but it isn't prehistoric to them. yes it's old. but it's 'theirs' as much as it is 'mine'.
to me, this is just pathetic. but kinda nice for me, in a way, cuz i recently found spiral scratch on cd reissue. i gave my copy to my high school girlfriend back in the day, and have been trying to replace it ever since.
posted by tarbox at 6:17 AM on October 8, 2002
punk is most certainly dead. punk was dead by the time the exploited released 'punks not dead' in like 1982 or 1983. you could tell because a bunch of reactionary morons like the exploited felt compelled to refute the idea it might not be.
it had already been played out by that point. i would argue punk was in its death throes about the time my high school punk band first took the stage in 1980. it wasn't quite totally dead, had a couple of moment left of lucidity and strength, but it was definitely on an irreversible terminal slide.
when i was a teenager in 1980, 1969 (and the Stooges) seemed like ancient roots music for my scene. 1965 (and the Beatles) seemed like totally irrelevant dinosaurs from a bygone day. 1960? Pat Boone and stuff? That was like unimaginably not connected to my life.
That was a 20 year gap. "Punks" today are listening to the same music I was 25 years ago. but it isn't prehistoric to them. yes it's old. but it's 'theirs' as much as it is 'mine'.
to me, this is just pathetic. but kinda nice for me, in a way, cuz i recently found spiral scratch on cd reissue. i gave my copy to my high school girlfriend back in the day, and have been trying to replace it ever since.
posted by tarbox at 6:17 AM on October 8, 2002
"I have excellent news for the world: there is no such thing as Larry Miller.
It's a...a figment of a lame cunt's imagination. Something to say when you're afraid your going to be kicked out of the Partei and they won't give you National Review anymore.
There's Falwell, there's O'Reilly, there's Coulter, there's Farrakhan...but Miller don't mean shit."
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:21 AM on October 8, 2002
It's a...a figment of a lame cunt's imagination. Something to say when you're afraid your going to be kicked out of the Partei and they won't give you National Review anymore.
There's Falwell, there's O'Reilly, there's Coulter, there's Farrakhan...but Miller don't mean shit."
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:21 AM on October 8, 2002
"I thought the same tonight tiger yang with those Coors Light commercials played during Monday Night Football."
I saw those same commercials.. and I swear the dude from Murphy's Law is singing in one of them...
posted by punkrockrat at 6:25 AM on October 8, 2002
I saw those same commercials.. and I swear the dude from Murphy's Law is singing in one of them...
posted by punkrockrat at 6:25 AM on October 8, 2002
Ev-ry bo-dy's hap-py now-a-days
Ev-ry bo-dy's hap-py now-a-days
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:26 AM on October 8, 2002
Ev-ry bo-dy's hap-py now-a-days
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:26 AM on October 8, 2002
Ironically, the "punks" I see today are the most uniformed flock of sheep ever; all with mohawk-style, colored hair, scottish pattern pants, palestinian scarves, army boots and nail belts. Oh, and piercings, of course. How's that for "rebellion"?
The best is the "punks" who walk around the Coventry area here in Cleveland, with their plaid pants, suspenders, combat boots, mohawks... and cell phones. They're the only ones who don't see the irony.
posted by starvingartist at 6:59 AM on October 8, 2002
The best is the "punks" who walk around the Coventry area here in Cleveland, with their plaid pants, suspenders, combat boots, mohawks... and cell phones. They're the only ones who don't see the irony.
posted by starvingartist at 6:59 AM on October 8, 2002
come on, everyone knows the street finds its own uses for technology...
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:01 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:01 AM on October 8, 2002
exploited !!! barmy army !!!
exploited !!! barmy army !!!
posted by sgt.serenity at 7:17 AM on October 8, 2002
exploited !!! barmy army !!!
posted by sgt.serenity at 7:17 AM on October 8, 2002
I never remembered the Buzzcocks being at the forefront of political punk in the first place. They did, however, lay much of the foundation for pop-punk that later spawned Blink 182 and Green Day.
That said, they're one of my favorite bands of all time, but the thought of Pete Shelley screeching trite things about George Bush to a bunch of nouveau teenage punks in California makes me want to sell back their CDs.
posted by dhoyt at 7:20 AM on October 8, 2002
That said, they're one of my favorite bands of all time, but the thought of Pete Shelley screeching trite things about George Bush to a bunch of nouveau teenage punks in California makes me want to sell back their CDs.
posted by dhoyt at 7:20 AM on October 8, 2002
There's still some punk rock out there... you just need to look a little harder to find it these days.
Meanwhile, corporate rock still sucks more than ever.
posted by spilon at 7:27 AM on October 8, 2002
Meanwhile, corporate rock still sucks more than ever.
posted by spilon at 7:27 AM on October 8, 2002
You never see punks in London anymore. Not for about 10 years.
posted by Summer at 7:28 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by Summer at 7:28 AM on October 8, 2002
It just occurred to me--punks are supposed to be shouting stuff that people in the audience get mad at, aren't they? Hell, if he was just shouting stuff because he thought everyone in the audience agreed with him, it'd be Lilith Fair.
posted by Fabulon7 at 7:41 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by Fabulon7 at 7:41 AM on October 8, 2002
starvingartist, there used to be some real punks on Coventry, back in the day. Okay, maybe one. And his father is a famous Cleveland TV newsman.
Coventry was also a catch-all for poseurs, club kids, CIA (CleveInstArt) and Case Western students, Cleveland Heights high school runaways, yuppies drinking coffee at Arabica (which was originally founded by a guy who is now heavily into a Santaria-type religion that occasionally sacrifices animals; way back when he was into astrology and closed Arabica when the forecast was bad)...
Not sure what it's like now, I only stop in to Big Fun now and again. My God, I thought the Grog Shop closed, but no! The Rev is always a good time there. But now Scene kills the Free Times! Wish I could work up a post about it...
But you probably know all this. Sorry, had to digress...
posted by Shane at 7:49 AM on October 8, 2002
Coventry was also a catch-all for poseurs, club kids, CIA (CleveInstArt) and Case Western students, Cleveland Heights high school runaways, yuppies drinking coffee at Arabica (which was originally founded by a guy who is now heavily into a Santaria-type religion that occasionally sacrifices animals; way back when he was into astrology and closed Arabica when the forecast was bad)...
Not sure what it's like now, I only stop in to Big Fun now and again. My God, I thought the Grog Shop closed, but no! The Rev is always a good time there. But now Scene kills the Free Times! Wish I could work up a post about it...
But you probably know all this. Sorry, had to digress...
posted by Shane at 7:49 AM on October 8, 2002
Well, yeah, WEST coast punk is dead. ;)
posted by Kellydamnit at 7:54 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by Kellydamnit at 7:54 AM on October 8, 2002
if you ask me, I think punk met it's ironic end when Refused released "The Shape of Punk To Come." nowadays it's either new-metal (I know, I hate it too) or post-hardcore.
Ev-ry bo-dy's hap-py now-a-days
Ev-ry bo-dy's hap-py now-a-days
devil horns!!!1
posted by mcsweetie at 8:09 AM on October 8, 2002
Ev-ry bo-dy's hap-py now-a-days
Ev-ry bo-dy's hap-py now-a-days
devil horns!!!1
posted by mcsweetie at 8:09 AM on October 8, 2002
I always thought the Sex Pistols set out to kill punk, but ended up revitalizing it instead...
posted by Shane at 8:14 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by Shane at 8:14 AM on October 8, 2002
it's a desperately unfunny column, especially since the author is supposed to be a witty writer:
the "clueless dad takes daughter to punk concert" premise has been done to death
As for the Buzzcocks singer being shouted down,
who the fuck cares?
an aside: how many kids present at the event do you actually think manage to go to the polls?
posted by matteo at 8:20 AM on October 8, 2002
the "clueless dad takes daughter to punk concert" premise has been done to death
As for the Buzzcocks singer being shouted down,
who the fuck cares?
an aside: how many kids present at the event do you actually think manage to go to the polls?
posted by matteo at 8:20 AM on October 8, 2002
There are too punks in London, and all over the world. Punks are starting bands and scenes and zines and causing a ruckus everywhere.
If you don't know about it, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It's an honest mistake; I thought activism was dead when I stopped doing it, but lo and behold, its still alive. If I don't go to the movies for a while, I start to think there aren't any good ones anymore.
People who say punk is dead, just stopped being punk themselves. And punk, was always hard to find.
posted by goneill at 8:21 AM on October 8, 2002
If you don't know about it, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It's an honest mistake; I thought activism was dead when I stopped doing it, but lo and behold, its still alive. If I don't go to the movies for a while, I start to think there aren't any good ones anymore.
People who say punk is dead, just stopped being punk themselves. And punk, was always hard to find.
posted by goneill at 8:21 AM on October 8, 2002
**cracks open a Lone Star, cheers goneill**
Oh, and...
if he was just shouting stuff because he thought everyone in the audience agreed with him, it'd be Lilith Fair.
Funniest comment on here in too damn long.
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:26 AM on October 8, 2002
Oh, and...
if he was just shouting stuff because he thought everyone in the audience agreed with him, it'd be Lilith Fair.
Funniest comment on here in too damn long.
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:26 AM on October 8, 2002
I saw Public Enemy the other night. Durring "The Son of A Bad Man," a skinny white dude in a business suit and a George Bush mask was ushered onto stage to be mocked and riddiculed by the PE army. I thought it was hillarious, but looking out on the crowd of mostly drunken-white-fratboy-with-limp-bizcuit-hats crowd, they were clearly uncomfortable. Not much response from the crowd, more of a "uhhh...." I guess they were there cuz Public Enemy is "cool" and not because of their political stance. *sigh*
posted by afx114 at 8:41 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by afx114 at 8:41 AM on October 8, 2002
I like punk rock as much as anyone, but perhaps this fixation on one genre of rock and roll is a contributing factor to the continuing Balkanization of the music scene.
Is the Buzzcocks and Sex pistols touring in 2002 really much different from say, Iron Butterfly and the Steve Miller Band touring in 1989?
A lot of punkers today remind me of some of the sixties vets I'd meet back in the 80's who would say that no good music had been created since the sixties and inspired everyone to get dressed up in their hippie costumes and go to the Greatful Dead shows like they were some kind of theme park. The same thing now seems to be happening to punk to a large degree.
Both turn a great music legacy into nostalgia, and keep the music scene segmented into tiny pockets. The "punkest" thing in the world would be to move on and create someting new perhaps?
posted by jonmc at 9:01 AM on October 8, 2002
Is the Buzzcocks and Sex pistols touring in 2002 really much different from say, Iron Butterfly and the Steve Miller Band touring in 1989?
A lot of punkers today remind me of some of the sixties vets I'd meet back in the 80's who would say that no good music had been created since the sixties and inspired everyone to get dressed up in their hippie costumes and go to the Greatful Dead shows like they were some kind of theme park. The same thing now seems to be happening to punk to a large degree.
Both turn a great music legacy into nostalgia, and keep the music scene segmented into tiny pockets. The "punkest" thing in the world would be to move on and create someting new perhaps?
posted by jonmc at 9:01 AM on October 8, 2002
Just a wake up call, folks- I was at that show, and this never happened. I don't recall anyone in the Buzzcocks saying a word between songs. They just went one song right into the next. They were one of the best bands that day, so I think I would have noticed.
posted by InfidelZombie at 9:02 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by InfidelZombie at 9:02 AM on October 8, 2002
I guess they were there cuz Public Enemy is "cool" and not because of their political stance. *sigh*
Do you HAVE to go to a PE show to support their political stance? What's wrong with going to the show because you think their music is cool... or anyone else for that matter?
on preview: Well said, jonmc.
posted by Witty at 9:11 AM on October 8, 2002
Do you HAVE to go to a PE show to support their political stance? What's wrong with going to the show because you think their music is cool... or anyone else for that matter?
on preview: Well said, jonmc.
posted by Witty at 9:11 AM on October 8, 2002
I see what you're saying jonmc, but there are a lot of old tours that I wouldn't pass up seeing, if they came my way. Just because somebody is wearing a Peter and the Test Tube Babies or Ramones shirt doesn't mean that they don't like anything else that is being produced today. I saw the P&TTB tour in '98(?). That was the first time they had toured the states in over a decade (IIRC). I probably wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see the Buzzcocks either. But that doesn't mean I don't dig the new stuff as well.
I guess the point (and I think what you were getting at also) is to try to find the happy medium, or the balance between old and new stuff. It's not cool when people totally shut themselves down to exposing themselves to something new. Personally, I think they're just lazy.
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:12 AM on October 8, 2002
I guess the point (and I think what you were getting at also) is to try to find the happy medium, or the balance between old and new stuff. It's not cool when people totally shut themselves down to exposing themselves to something new. Personally, I think they're just lazy.
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:12 AM on October 8, 2002
Dagny, on the Punk kit vein.. this is what you are looking for. The InstaPunk Kit.
posted by Apoch at 9:17 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by Apoch at 9:17 AM on October 8, 2002
Punk as a state of mind still exists, but it is withering slowly. The thing is, the kids that dress punk assume anyone who doesn't dress that way isn't punk...
As a joke, when a band that I fronted played a show with a bunch of High School "punk rockers" we showed up dressed in flannel shirts with moppy hair and lumberjack beards. No one would come near us... Then we played and the stage cleared. We were louder and more threatening than the other bands (though we were only a three piece) and were cut off.
There are plenty of bands true to the ethic of iconoclasm, diy, and activism, they just don't put on the uniform....
posted by drezdn at 9:21 AM on October 8, 2002
As a joke, when a band that I fronted played a show with a bunch of High School "punk rockers" we showed up dressed in flannel shirts with moppy hair and lumberjack beards. No one would come near us... Then we played and the stage cleared. We were louder and more threatening than the other bands (though we were only a three piece) and were cut off.
There are plenty of bands true to the ethic of iconoclasm, diy, and activism, they just don't put on the uniform....
posted by drezdn at 9:21 AM on October 8, 2002
on reflection, the 'most punk' thing to do would be to totally ignore as irrelevant the whole question about if punk were alive or dead.
if you get into an argument like this... like i have here... certainly nothing to do with punk.
posted by tarbox at 9:23 AM on October 8, 2002
if you get into an argument like this... like i have here... certainly nothing to do with punk.
posted by tarbox at 9:23 AM on October 8, 2002
If this actually happened the way he said, I wonder if any of it had to do with the fact Pete Shelley is a foreigner. The 'we can criticise our government but you can't' sort of mentality. That's the only explanation I can think of.
Jeez, what about "we can invade another country if we feel like it, but you can't?"
Oh, and for all this 'punk's dead', 'punk's not dead' bullshit, that argument stopped being interesting about 15 minutes after it started which was about 15 minutes after somebody coined the term 'punk'.
Feel like arguing about it? Start a band, it's a put up or shut up world.
posted by lumpenprole at 9:31 AM on October 8, 2002
Jeez, what about "we can invade another country if we feel like it, but you can't?"
Oh, and for all this 'punk's dead', 'punk's not dead' bullshit, that argument stopped being interesting about 15 minutes after it started which was about 15 minutes after somebody coined the term 'punk'.
Feel like arguing about it? Start a band, it's a put up or shut up world.
posted by lumpenprole at 9:31 AM on October 8, 2002
Teenagers should be anti-government by instinct. It's the way of the world.
actually, i've found that the garden variety HS senior is a narrow-minded conservative when it comes to everything but their own personal social freedoms. sure, everyone wants to drink, smoke, stay out late, tear down the school, stick it to the principal, etc., but most tend to be less than enlightened about politics or social issues. i guess it's that "lack of life experience" thing...on a semi-related note, "Rock And Roll High School" was on HBO last night and my roommates and I had a whole 80s nostalgia moment...just imagine a bad teen movie being made today that featured The Ramones and a heroine named Riff who kicked ass without having to display decolletage...gabba gabba hey!
posted by serafinapekkala at 9:31 AM on October 8, 2002
actually, i've found that the garden variety HS senior is a narrow-minded conservative when it comes to everything but their own personal social freedoms. sure, everyone wants to drink, smoke, stay out late, tear down the school, stick it to the principal, etc., but most tend to be less than enlightened about politics or social issues. i guess it's that "lack of life experience" thing...on a semi-related note, "Rock And Roll High School" was on HBO last night and my roommates and I had a whole 80s nostalgia moment...just imagine a bad teen movie being made today that featured The Ramones and a heroine named Riff who kicked ass without having to display decolletage...gabba gabba hey!
posted by serafinapekkala at 9:31 AM on October 8, 2002
One thing's for sure, there is nothing on earth more stimulating than timeless "punks not dead!" "Yes it is!" thread.
*sigh*
posted by glenwood at 9:43 AM on October 8, 2002
*sigh*
posted by glenwood at 9:43 AM on October 8, 2002
It's worth re-mentioning (since it's the only answer to the question posed) that, according to InfidelZombie, this never happened.
Does that change anything? Does it make it even more punk? I saw 75,000 people at the last Fugazi Stadium Show vow to overthrow the U.S.A. And then they did it! Wheee! Making up stuff is fun!
posted by hackly_fracture at 10:38 AM on October 8, 2002
Does that change anything? Does it make it even more punk? I saw 75,000 people at the last Fugazi Stadium Show vow to overthrow the U.S.A. And then they did it! Wheee! Making up stuff is fun!
posted by hackly_fracture at 10:38 AM on October 8, 2002
If punk's not dead, what does it stand for these days?
posted by kgasmart at 11:04 AM on October 8, 2002
posted by kgasmart at 11:04 AM on October 8, 2002
"Punk rock died when the first kid said
'Punk's not dead.
Punk's not dead.'"*
posted by jennyb at 11:30 AM on October 8, 2002
'Punk's not dead.
Punk's not dead.'"*
posted by jennyb at 11:30 AM on October 8, 2002
"Punk" is the new classic rock.
Punk was about innovation and DIY, not attitude or volume.
posted by 2sheets at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2002
Punk was about innovation and DIY, not attitude or volume.
posted by 2sheets at 11:48 AM on October 8, 2002
If punk's not dead, what does it stand for these days?
The same thing it always stood for, not being like you.
(and i mean that in a general sense. i think the least punk people in the world these days have blue/green hair, mohawks and piercings. if i want to see that, i'll watch mtv. punks not dead, it's just not on radio.)
posted by eyeballkid at 1:10 PM on October 8, 2002
The same thing it always stood for, not being like you.
(and i mean that in a general sense. i think the least punk people in the world these days have blue/green hair, mohawks and piercings. if i want to see that, i'll watch mtv. punks not dead, it's just not on radio.)
posted by eyeballkid at 1:10 PM on October 8, 2002
That wouldn't have anything to do with mob rule, the conformity of crowds, lemming-like behavior, or anything along those lines, of course.
Ya know adamgreenfield, that's exactly how I feel about anti-war protests. Most of the time they remind of the song It's Saturday by King Missile - especially the ending:
"Whatever happened to revolution for the hell of it?
Whatever happened to protesting nothing in particular, just
protesting cause it's Saturday and there's nothing else to do?" - John S. Hall
posted by RevGreg at 1:37 PM on October 8, 2002
Ya know adamgreenfield, that's exactly how I feel about anti-war protests. Most of the time they remind of the song It's Saturday by King Missile - especially the ending:
"Whatever happened to revolution for the hell of it?
Whatever happened to protesting nothing in particular, just
protesting cause it's Saturday and there's nothing else to do?" - John S. Hall
posted by RevGreg at 1:37 PM on October 8, 2002
punk, punk, punk. You're a punk, I'm a punk, wouldn'tcha like to be a punk, too? Light a punk. Smell punk. Funky punk.
Depending on the punk you talk to, punk may or may not be political. It may or may not be social. It definately is attitude. But depending on the punk you talk to, that attitude may be different; laisse faire, hardcore, or somewhere in-between.
Maybe you look and act like a total square, but you could be the hardest hardcore because you understand punk better than anyone else.
But if you've never been around the scene, let alone in it, you won't get it.
Goneill's got it right, kids. Straight up.
But now punk *rock*, the music.. that's a whole different thing going on.
And all that matters, is in the end, punks know what punk is, they all won't agree what punk rock is, go East Coast, fuck Conneticutt hardcore, and the idle fantasies of clueless ardent Republican 'comics' like Larry Miller don't matter.
posted by rich at 1:43 PM on October 8, 2002
Depending on the punk you talk to, punk may or may not be political. It may or may not be social. It definately is attitude. But depending on the punk you talk to, that attitude may be different; laisse faire, hardcore, or somewhere in-between.
Maybe you look and act like a total square, but you could be the hardest hardcore because you understand punk better than anyone else.
But if you've never been around the scene, let alone in it, you won't get it.
Goneill's got it right, kids. Straight up.
But now punk *rock*, the music.. that's a whole different thing going on.
And all that matters, is in the end, punks know what punk is, they all won't agree what punk rock is, go East Coast, fuck Conneticutt hardcore, and the idle fantasies of clueless ardent Republican 'comics' like Larry Miller don't matter.
posted by rich at 1:43 PM on October 8, 2002
It's worth re-mentioning (since it's the only answer to the question posed) that, according to InfidelZombie, this never happened... Wheee! Making up stuff is fun!
Not only is it made up it's bullshit. It never happened at all cause I was there too. The only thing you might have called controversial at that festival were the fires set in the lawn area after dark, the lead singer of Pennywise encouraging 20,000 people to storm the stage, and the fact Blink 182 was booed thruout their entire set. I suspect the nice daddy who took his TRL daughter and friends to the Inland Invasion were Blink 182 fans. All I know is the last place I'd ever want to be with my dad is a punk rock show. It was hard enough being there with the pre-teen Blink 182 fans.
Anyway when I heard the Sex Pistols might show up I booked my ticket from Atlanta to Devore, Ca. hoping I could secure some tickets. I was lucky enough to get great seats close up. If you know anything about the Buzzcocks you know they play rapid fire and fast between songs with not much discussion. The only thing I heard them say was they were glad to be finally getting some recognition for their music. Most of you know the Sex Pistols used to open for the Buzzcocks. Any yes they were one of the highlights of the day along with Social Distortion.... if the Buzzcocks said anything controversial nobody was paying attention. Plus they didn't have enough time to be political cause their set was barely 40 minutes long and they played 14 songs.
Sorry you all couldn't be there with me and InfidelZombie cause despite the heat, the lack of water, and the long lines to the bathroom...it was worth it for a chance to see the Sex Pistols just once in any decade, form, or fashion.
"when you talk like an asshole, and look like an asshole, you're an asshole!"~john lydon
posted by oh posey at 1:45 PM on October 8, 2002
Not only is it made up it's bullshit. It never happened at all cause I was there too. The only thing you might have called controversial at that festival were the fires set in the lawn area after dark, the lead singer of Pennywise encouraging 20,000 people to storm the stage, and the fact Blink 182 was booed thruout their entire set. I suspect the nice daddy who took his TRL daughter and friends to the Inland Invasion were Blink 182 fans. All I know is the last place I'd ever want to be with my dad is a punk rock show. It was hard enough being there with the pre-teen Blink 182 fans.
Anyway when I heard the Sex Pistols might show up I booked my ticket from Atlanta to Devore, Ca. hoping I could secure some tickets. I was lucky enough to get great seats close up. If you know anything about the Buzzcocks you know they play rapid fire and fast between songs with not much discussion. The only thing I heard them say was they were glad to be finally getting some recognition for their music. Most of you know the Sex Pistols used to open for the Buzzcocks. Any yes they were one of the highlights of the day along with Social Distortion.... if the Buzzcocks said anything controversial nobody was paying attention. Plus they didn't have enough time to be political cause their set was barely 40 minutes long and they played 14 songs.
Sorry you all couldn't be there with me and InfidelZombie cause despite the heat, the lack of water, and the long lines to the bathroom...it was worth it for a chance to see the Sex Pistols just once in any decade, form, or fashion.
"when you talk like an asshole, and look like an asshole, you're an asshole!"~john lydon
posted by oh posey at 1:45 PM on October 8, 2002
Do you HAVE to go to a PE show to support their political stance? What's wrong with going to the show because you think their music is cool... or anyone else for that matter?
I never said that. The point that I was trying to make was that I find it ironic that the nations of millions that used to hold PE back now make up the majority of their audience. Seeing whiteboy frat jocks singing along with Chuck when he says "Cause I'm Black and I'm proud" is just funny.
Ok now, back to the punk debate...
posted by afx114 at 2:15 PM on October 8, 2002
I never said that. The point that I was trying to make was that I find it ironic that the nations of millions that used to hold PE back now make up the majority of their audience. Seeing whiteboy frat jocks singing along with Chuck when he says "Cause I'm Black and I'm proud" is just funny.
Ok now, back to the punk debate...
posted by afx114 at 2:15 PM on October 8, 2002
What dhoyt said. The Buzzcocks were a great band, but the image of 47-year old Pete Shelley shouting really dumb slogans to a bunch of children is pretty laughable.
Trashing your own idol, tearing down the guy on the stage, now that's punk.
posted by Hieronymous Coward at 3:05 PM on October 8, 2002
Trashing your own idol, tearing down the guy on the stage, now that's punk.
posted by Hieronymous Coward at 3:05 PM on October 8, 2002
Most of you know the Sex Pistols used to open for the Buzzcocks
No they didn't. The Buzzcocks once opened for the Sex Pistols.
posted by Summer at 9:34 AM on October 9, 2002
No they didn't. The Buzzcocks once opened for the Sex Pistols.
posted by Summer at 9:34 AM on October 9, 2002
Thanks, oh posey. Also, the Buzzcocks themselves just posted a response to Miller's article on their official site's news page, pretty much calling bullshit on the whole piece.
posted by monosyllabic at 10:17 AM on October 9, 2002
posted by monosyllabic at 10:17 AM on October 9, 2002
The Standard's apparently pulled the article from their site, too. Or does a column published on Monday always get pulled by Wednesday?
posted by octobersurprise at 1:04 PM on October 9, 2002
posted by octobersurprise at 1:04 PM on October 9, 2002
Nope, they did it because of the questions about its accuracy. James Taranto of Opinion Journal offers a correction of his own today (scroll down).
posted by transona5 at 1:23 PM on October 9, 2002
posted by transona5 at 1:23 PM on October 9, 2002
Opinon Journal writes "Never mind the Buzzcocks." Maybe that should be "Never mind Larry Miller and the Weekly Standard."
posted by octobersurprise at 6:17 PM on October 9, 2002
'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' is the name of a music quiz TV show in the UK. There's an interesting fact for you. Or maybe not.
posted by Summer at 2:40 AM on October 10, 2002
posted by Summer at 2:40 AM on October 10, 2002
No sign of a correction, and the page didn't make it into the internet archive. Anyone happen to back up a copy?
(PS: um, heLLO? Punk was declared dead in 1978 by Crass, a band far punker than any mentioned yet.)
posted by whir at 7:34 AM on October 10, 2002
(PS: um, heLLO? Punk was declared dead in 1978 by Crass, a band far punker than any mentioned yet.)
posted by whir at 7:34 AM on October 10, 2002
Now the writer claims it was really Blink-182 who was shouted down.
posted by transona5 at 9:39 PM on October 10, 2002
posted by transona5 at 9:39 PM on October 10, 2002
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I hope so.
posted by hama7 at 12:18 AM on October 8, 2002