Preview

Punk Rock

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
501 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Punk Rock
Matthew Conroy

March 26th, 2014

American Exceptionalism Influencing Punk Rock

American exceptionalism is a pivotal concept within the American culture. Stemming from a revolution, this theory shaped a new way of thinking within the United States that seemed far different from many other cultures. Seymour Martin Lipset used this concept to explain, “why the United States is the only industrialized country which does not have a significant socialist movement or Labor party.” This essentially explains why America is extraordinary. Punk personifies American exceptionalism with its distinct lifestyle to be different from the norm, and is surrounded by independent self-governing thinkers. The United States didn’t become what it is today because of law abiding and passive citizens. This is also a main reason why Punk Rock became so popular in America, and has stayed relevant to teens and young adults all over the world. People began to thrive on understanding the history of this nation, and take pride in the originality of our constitution, and way of life. Punk Rock adds another chapter in the long list of independent concepts and ideas within the American Culture.

“America marches to a different drummer. Its uniqueness is explained by any or all of a variety of reasons: history, size, geography, political institutions, and culture.” This type of “American” thinking continues to inspire all kinds of musicians, but more so with the Punk Rock genre than any other. It was defines the core competencies of the bands, as well as that of their followers. This defining concept of individualism is also why Punk Rock has stayed relevant for all of these years. This country was built off this impression, as well as Punk Rock. It is hard to break down the barrier of individualism, because everyone is so unique, and Punk Rock simply unites and celebrates all different types of unique thinking.

Through lyrics from bands such as the Romones, Blink 182, and The

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Rock "N" Rap

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages

    a. Find at least three combinations of rock and rap CDs that would give the company a profit of $120,000, and mark these points in one color on your graph. (The combinations do not have to be in the feasible region.) Profit=x20,000+y30,000…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The birth of Punk music started with the start of Grohl’s career. From expressing his talents in his garage, to moving crowds of thousands…

    • 1580 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Typical characteristics of a punk rock band include one or two electric guitars, a bass guitar, drums, and vocals. Punk songs tend to be shorter than those of other popular genres. Most early punk rock songs had the traditional rock 'n' roll verse-chorus form and 4/4 time…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Rock and roll has been an integral part of American culture since the 1950s. Throughout the decades, Rock and Roll has contributed to the vast array of sounds and musical styles in the pantheon of musical genres. Rock and roll has also influenced the creation of other musical subgenres, including alternative, metal, hardcore, punk, and grunge. Inspired by the emergence of blues and jazz, and the popularization of country, rock ‘n’ roll strived to imprint a deeper legacy into U.S. society and culture. Rock and Roll has also been very important in popularizing the genre of music. Key players in the Rock and Roll have transformed the genre into something that is now ingrained within our culture…

    • 1685 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The term "American Exceptionalism" refers to the historical perception of the United States as an inherently idiosyncratic nation, because of its unique origins, national principles, historical evolution, distinguishing political and religious institutions. It is an ethnocentric idea that places the United States and the American people at a special place in the world by offering opportunity and hope for humanity and uniquely balancing public and private interests governed by constitutional ideals that are focused on personal and economic freedom. It is also seen as the presence of traits unique to the United States, such as the tradition of individualism, the failure of socialist parties, and high levels of religiosity. Some interpret the term to indicate a moral superiority of Americans, while others use it to refer to the American concept of itself as an exceptional ideal, which is not necessarily upheld by the people and government of the nation. Others claim "American exceptionalism" is common ethnocentrism and merely propaganda that justifies a chauvinistically America-centered view of the world. American exceptionalism also refers to some case…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sex Pistols Analysis

    • 366 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Punk rock was a message to society that all was not well and all were not equal. And this appealed to people as they could connect and relate to the music. Thus turning to the music as an outlet for their anger. Punk subculture then became a new way of life. The people in it worshipped nihilism as the protest that it was easier to swallow nihilism than face the truth.…

    • 366 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In “Anarchy in the Tenth Grade”, Graffin describes what life as a teenager is like in Southern California. Throughout the essay, Graffin describes how he uses music as a way of dealing with peer pressure and feelings of alienation from the popular crowd in his high school. Graffin’s explanations of teenage life in the 1970’s demonstrates the symbolic interactionism concept devised by George Herbert Mead and how symbolic interactionism helps us interact with others within our subculture just as Graffin interacts with others within the punk subculture. Mead shows us that by using symbols, we are able to imagine ourselves in someone else’s…

    • 513 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Punk Subculture History

    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The New Romantics was a subculture born out of dissatisfaction with the way ‘punk had become a parody of itself’ (Cole, 2000) that, once adopted by the mainstream, began to alienate ‘many of those who were at first attracted to it’s embracing of difference and individuality’ (Cole, 2000). Where punk had once been about a very ‘DIY’ ethic and energy, it evolved into something uniform and hyper-masculinised. In doing so, the punk scene became much less of a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth, such as George O’Dowd (better known today as cultural icon, Boy George) and the Bromley Contingent (which included Siouxsie Sioux and Billy Idol) who ‘spent more time hanging out at gay clubs’ (Rimmer, 2003).…

    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Rock Music

    • 405 Words
    • 2 Pages

    1.Some of the music in the 1960s was used to protest social and political issues. Is music still used as a form of protest? Why or why not? Songs todays arent no longer used to protest but they do touch their listeners.…

    • 405 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The notion American Exceptionalism is an abstract theory about the belief of American. By comparing with other nations, American believed that they have the unique characters which contributed distinct national features from other countries. American historians said that “Its uniqueness is explained by any or all of a variety of reasons: history, size, geography, political institutions, and culture.” The word “exception” has two opposite meanings, one is a rare instance, ususual, the other hand one is unusually…

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Pop Music

    • 323 Words
    • 2 Pages

    1. Who sang at the Grammy’s in Spanish in the late 1990s? What was the reaction?…

    • 323 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Rock N Roll

    • 1095 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Rock n' Roll. Have you heard of it? Well, it came from the decade of the nine-teen fifties. That is not the only popular event in the decade. The nine-teen fifties had many other important and interesting events that occurred. That is why the nine-teen fifties are the greatest decade of the twentieth century. It is not just because the cool events occurred, but the affect it has on life today. The greatest decade of the twentieth century was the nine-teen fifties because it was the start of abolishing segregation, the birth of Rock occurred, and many technological advances were made.…

    • 1095 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Differences in beliefs and values from what the “norm” considers the right way makes you a subculture, but what makes them unique are the instruments they use to make their voice heard. While most people have taken for granted their language, beliefs and values there are some who within their subculture use their music to escape forms of oppression and lack of freedom. Hip Hop and Punk are two large subcultures that are well known through out the world. There are many differences between Hip Hop and Punk and several contributing factors that shape these subcultures but ultimately each one’s existence serves a similar purpose: a form of escape and expression.…

    • 903 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Cass: Punk is the music I turn to when I have excess emotions that I don’t know how to deal with. I feel like it touches a side of human nature that is relatable to everyone, but not many people are willing to get in touch with that angry side. A lot of punk music speaks to the disenchantment of recent generations... Punk is a way to stand up to the way we’re told to live.…

    • 3977 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Cure band members grew up during the Cold War and the Anti-War Movement. The Cure also played punk rock music during the 1980's, during their time it was not socially acceptable. Marvin P. Goldstein made an "Underground Alternative Arts Center". Underground meaning that the information was not given to everyone. "Alternative Arts" are singing not any kind of singing it is singing rock or punk music, and it is slam dancing. Alternative Arts are arts or talents that were not publicly acceptable by most people. Some people were against rock music because it was a different type of music which was not listened to before. Some people were against rock music thought that those who played rock music worshiped the devil because it is a darker…

    • 1441 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics