Political vs. Apolitical Punk Music

GuD · 04-25-2014, 06:58 PM

So, in my experience there's always been a bit of a division in the punk rock world between bands/fans that are heavily politicized and bands/fans that aren't.

As far as I'm aware, punk rock is alone in that it's subculture can be very demanding of it's participants. I'm sure I'm not the only member here that went through a phase of living by a very strict set of principles and boycotting all things corporate, who thought by living on a squat and vandalizing cop cars I was somehow making a difference in the world and sticking it to the PIC. Or, I hope I'm not.

What's your opinion? Do you have a preference? Do you find yourself listening to bands like Jawbreaker more than you do bands like Propagandhi? Ramones more than Crass? Do you still believe punk rock can change the world more than it has just by being around?

**Janszoon** · 04-25-2014, 07:36 PM

I enjoy the youthful enthusiasm of both.

~~hate paper doll~~ · 04-26-2014, 04:24 PM

I appreciate and respect both, but find myself listening to the apolitical punk more. I was never really all that political to be honest, though I did go through a straight edge phase.

GravitySlips · 04-26-2014, 04:44 PM

I've never been particularly interested in the political opinions of bands, but I do listen to a lot of political punk bands - Minutemen, The Ex, The Dicks, Gang of Four, The Pop Group, Zounds, etc.

The music itself is what I care about. As long as the band don't have abhorrent political/social beliefs (pro-fascist, racist, etc), then it doesn't bother me. For me, there's no great value in political lyrics, at least not if they're the focal point of most songs -better to read books if you're into that. I can see why flaunting their politics can help a band appeal to a demographic, so fair enough. I don't care though.

Crass don't interest me too much, as I find them to be quite bland at times. Some good stuff but not a band I listen to much, and the same applies to a number of the 'anarcho' bands.

~~PhantomMartyr~~ · 04-26-2014, 09:21 PM

I think both produce fantastic music, but I enjoy Punk of the nonpolitical nature more.

~~hate paper doll~~ · 04-26-2014, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GravitySlips

I've never been particularly interested in the political opinions of bands, but I do listen to a lot of political punk bands - Minutemen, The Ex, The Dicks, Gang of Four, The Pop Group, Zounds, etc.

The music itself is what I care about. As long as the band don't have abhorrent political/social beliefs (pro-fascist, racist, etc), then it doesn't bother me. For me, there's no great value in political lyrics, at least not if they're the focal point of most songs -better to read books if you're into that. I can see why flaunting their politics can help a band appeal to a demographic, so fair enough. I don't care though.

Crass don't interest me too much, as I find them to be quite bland at times. Some good stuff but not a band I listen to much, and the same applies to a number of the 'anarcho' bands.

Thank you for clearly articulating what I couldn't, this is spot on.

GuD · 04-27-2014, 08:24 PM

Gravity, you pretty much nailed it for me too man.

Dylstew · 04-28-2014, 01:46 AM

To be honest, I don't really care, I mostly come for the music, and if I hear some good lyrics than that's a plus. I don't know much or care much about politics though, so it's ususally not a political song that I find as lyrics that interest me, but sometimes it is.

The Batlord · 04-28-2014, 10:31 AM

In my experience most of the political opinions held by your average teenager/twenty-something aren't worth hearing, so why should I care just because they're being shouted at me at 180 bpm?

LoathsomePete · 04-28-2014, 11:47 AM

At this point in time I think I'd rather listen to someone like Immortal Technique, KRS One, or Chuck D when it comes to politics and music.

04-25-2014, 06:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
GuD Dude... What? Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,322	Political vs. Apolitical Punk Music So, in my experience there's always been a bit of a division in the punk rock world between bands/fans that are heavily politicized and bands/fans that aren't. As far as I'm aware, punk rock is alone in that it's subculture can be very demanding of it's participants. I'm sure I'm not the only member here that went through a phase of living by a very strict set of principles and boycotting all things corporate, who thought by living on a squat and vandalizing cop cars I was somehow making a difference in the world and sticking it to the PIC. Or, I hope I'm not. What's your opinion? Do you have a preference? Do you find yourself listening to bands like Jawbreaker more than you do bands like Propagandhi? Ramones more than Crass? Do you still believe punk rock can change the world more than it has just by being around? __________________ I spit bullets in my feet Every time I speak So I write instead And still people want me dead ~msc

04-25-2014, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I enjoy the youthful enthusiasm of both. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

04-26-2014, 04:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
GravitySlips Music Addict Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,578	I've never been particularly interested in the political opinions of bands, but I do listen to a lot of political punk bands - Minutemen, The Ex, The Dicks, Gang of Four, The Pop Group, Zounds, etc. The music itself is what I care about. As long as the band don't have abhorrent political/social beliefs (pro-fascist, racist, etc), then it doesn't bother me. For me, there's no great value in political lyrics, at least not if they're the focal point of most songs -better to read books if you're into that. I can see why flaunting their politics can help a band appeal to a demographic, so fair enough. I don't care though. Crass don't interest me too much, as I find them to be quite bland at times. Some good stuff but not a band I listen to much, and the same applies to a number of the 'anarcho' bands. Last edited by GravitySlips; 04-26-2014 at 04:50 PM.

04-27-2014, 08:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
GuD Dude... What? Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,322	Gravity, you pretty much nailed it for me too man. __________________ I spit bullets in my feet Every time I speak So I write instead And still people want me dead ~msc

04-28-2014, 11:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	At this point in time I think I'd rather listen to someone like Immortal Technique, KRS One, or Chuck D when it comes to politics and music. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

04-26-2014, 04:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~hate paper doll~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 423	I appreciate and respect both, but find myself listening to the apolitical punk more. I was never really all that political to be honest, though I did go through a straight edge phase.

04-26-2014, 09:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
~~PhantomMartyr~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 20	I think both produce fantastic music, but I enjoy Punk of the nonpolitical nature more.

04-28-2014, 01:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dylstew Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 1,366	To be honest, I don't really care, I mostly come for the music, and if I hear some good lyrics than that's a plus. I don't know much or care much about politics though, so it's ususally not a political song that I find as lyrics that interest me, but sometimes it is.