British Punk Music
INTRO: As a style, “Punk” has recycled itself several times over the years with certain fashion updates. As a philosophy, it endures as an idea that serves a “disenchanted” group of people. As literature it stands as a voice of its time and gave rise to the spoken word, performance, and slam poetry genres. Start to appreciate all of these facets of “Punk” by researching its British roots.
GOAL1: THE PUNK MOVEMENT
Collect good information on the history of the punk movement using the three sources listed below. Record 10 important facts: socio/political background, philosophy, the look and the music of the movement. Open a word document; it is acceptable to cut-and-paste your findings.
Brit Punk: Overview
Defining the Punk Movement (read first 2 pages)
Punk Rock as Social and Political Phenomenon
GOAL 2: THE PUNK MUSIC
Choose ONE band from the two presented below. Both bands are synonymous with the Punk Movement but have very different styles, sounds, and followings. Follow the directions under your band choice.
Choose ONE band from the two presented below. Both bands are synonymous with the Punk Movement but have very different styles, sounds, and followings. Follow the directions under your band choice.
1. Read the Sex Pistol biography from Rolling Stone magazine and their profile from a rock critic. From these two sites explain 5-7 key facts (or musical criticisms) that identify this band as among the FIRST on the punk scene. What traits, ideals, performance techniques, or background did they have that represented the ideas of the punk movement? How were they known? What were their ‘trademarks?’
2. Read through several song lyrics. Choose two songs: one you like, one that best embodies the spirit of the era. Cut and paste the lyrics for each. Then, explain each choice. 3. Finally, visit this site to hear song samples! Write about how the “philosophy” or attitude of the movement is represented in the music. Explain how hearing the song effects your reading of the lyrics, and your appreciation of the music, the era, or the movement |
1. Read about The Clash on their website, and explain 5 key facts (or musical criticisms) that identify this band as among the FIRST ROCKERS on the punk scene. What traits, ideals, performance techniques, or background did they have that represented the ideas of the punk movement? How were they known? What were their ‘trademarks?’
2. Read through several song lyrics. Choose two songs: one you like, one that best embodies the spirit of the era. Cut and paste the lyrics for each and explain your choices. 3. Finally, visit this site to hear song samples! Write about how the “philosophy” or attitude of the movement is represented in the music. Explain how hearing the song effects your reading of the lyrics, and your appreciation of the music, the era, or the movement. |
Extra Credit
- After you have completed the exercise for one band, discover all of the information for the other band. Make a three-point compare-contrast of the two bands that is insightful, analytical, and sophisticated. Do not state the obvious (i.e. both bands are punk bands, etc.). Explain your observations.
- Briefly research the key players in the early American punk movement (The Ramones, New York Dolls) or the contemporary punk movement (Green Day, Good Charlotte). Complete the same three steps you used to research the British bands.
Links
Brit Punk Overview http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A791336
Defining the Punk Movement http://www.soton.ac.uk/~bepc/forum/cris%20cheek's%20offset%20collaborations.pdf
Punk Rock as Social and Political Phenomenon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_rock#Punk_rock
Sex Pistol biography http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thesexpistols/biography
profile http://classicrock.about.com/od/artistprofilesrz/p/sex_pistols.htm
song lyrics http://classicrock.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=classicrock&cdn=entertainment&tm=28&gps=82_1264_1080
_561&f=20&su=p504.1.336.ip_&tt=11&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.lyricsondemand.com/s/sexpistolslyrics/
song samples http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_dmusic/103-1853853-4231840?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=sex+pistols
The Clash http://www.theclashonline.com/biography
Song lyrics http://www.poemhunter.com/lyrics/clash/
song samples (The Clash) http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-9899626-9267150?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=the+clash
Defining the Punk Movement http://www.soton.ac.uk/~bepc/forum/cris%20cheek's%20offset%20collaborations.pdf
Punk Rock as Social and Political Phenomenon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_rock#Punk_rock
Sex Pistol biography http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thesexpistols/biography
profile http://classicrock.about.com/od/artistprofilesrz/p/sex_pistols.htm
song lyrics http://classicrock.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=classicrock&cdn=entertainment&tm=28&gps=82_1264_1080
_561&f=20&su=p504.1.336.ip_&tt=11&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.lyricsondemand.com/s/sexpistolslyrics/
song samples http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_dmusic/103-1853853-4231840?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=sex+pistols
The Clash http://www.theclashonline.com/biography
Song lyrics http://www.poemhunter.com/lyrics/clash/
song samples (The Clash) http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-9899626-9267150?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=the+clash