Rocco_81

Nah man..I suppose we can argue semantics but I feel we're basically saying the same thing. (Unless of course, you mean punks as a form of disrespect, ie - "get those young punks off my lawn!!" lol)

I actually see it in the reverse. Axl and Liam are not "punks", because that to me is talking of a visual style or an aesthetic which would go along with the Punk Rock genre. In other words, after the originators of punk came kicking onto the scene - what they did, what they said, what they wore was original - everyone else thereafter sort of adapted or sometimes copied what they did.

On the flip side, being "Punk Rock", to me is an attitude. Waylon Jennings, with his prison stints, his non PC lyrics, and not caring about what the music industry or the public thought of him, was Punk with his attitude, despite his music being something your grandpa could listen to.

Axl and Liam both were iconoclasts, not giving a fawk what people thought of them. Constantly stirring controversy (not contrived popular babble) but random outburst of anger and insults slung at whomever they felt deserved it.

Rocco_81

I have to completely disagree.

Marketing ploy to me is that try hard look - Travis Barkers who did rap and "punk" with a mohawk, tats, nose rings and the whole 9. Blink 182 with the goofy jerk off metaphors, sensitive, funny goofy guys who sing about their girlfriend (edgy to a 12 y/o but not to an adult) or Green Day who sometimes sound British and again write about the sorrows of living in sunny California and having an off day with their GF.

The real punks in my day (and still today) wore old jeans, hand me down boots, white t-shirt or whatever else they had to wear that day. They were more likely to have a homemade tat or jail house tat, than $1000's of dollars of ink (what real punk can afford that?) They were as likely to have no hair, or just messy hair, as they were a died and hand crafted Mohawk. But maybe that is just me..

Axl Rose gave not a fawk about most things. Think about it, at the height of their popularity he wrote "One in a million" which absolutely pissed off lots of people. Outside of it being a beautiful song, it added elements of racism, anti-gay, anti-police and anti-political feelings. Now, I'm not getting into if his lyrics were right or wrong, but who else would do that at the peak of stardom? Right or wrong that was a huge ballsy move. I won't even get into the fights, insults, and reckless life he led. Also not showing up to the lame ass rock n roll hall of fame induction was a big middle finger to the establishment as well.

Liam (thought you didn't mention him) was def a sub working class kid from Manchester. He was closer to a football hooligan than your typical artist. Sitting in normal working class pubs, chugging beer, doing coke with models, fistfights with other bands , his own brother, purposely stating Oasis was better than the beatles (an ode to Lennon saying Beatles were bigger than Jesus)..his overall working class attitude and not caring what anyone thought, was/is punk rock, regardless of how their music became more mainstream throughout their career.

Frownland

Who gives a **** about Blink-182? Real punk exists and Axl Rose ain't that.

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Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

Rocco_81

Yeah, I'd agree fully not anymore than any other genre and probably much less than other genre's.

Like I mentioned some copied , but others adapted. To me the adaptation is one of the cool parts of meshing music. It's not that you stole or copied someone's style of playing or even their fashion, but what they did lit a spart with you and you made your own version of something somewhat similar.

Rocco_81

Well I hate Blink 182 - but unfortunately for us all they happen to be a relevant part of US punk discussion for their time period. Sad as it may be..

Agreed real punk does exist. Axl Rose certainly doesn't sing punk, he isn't into the "scene" that is/was punk. But his attitude is def punk fckin rock.

Frownland

I would say that he's closer to an overpaid celebrity drama queen but that's just me.

__________________

Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

Mondo Bungle

he did turn down an induction into the rock and roll hall of fame

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The Batlord

They deserve each other.

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Stephen

Lol just came to complain about Spotify. Listening to this ****ing annoying playlist at work. Was annoyed enough at the whiny douche rock that turned out to be Blink 182 but was further ****ed off to find the playlist titled 90s punk.

I guess the most punk thing about this music is it makes me want punch someone.

Rocco_81

Damn you are going to say that Axl Rose's music is some of the worst??? Compared to who exactly?

And his attitude is def NOT that of just any classic rockstar at all...but ok you win, I won't even go into that.