Punk rock and post-punk are two genres that are held close to my heart.  I’m by no means an expert, and definitely not super well-versed (especially in punk, perhaps more so in post-punk), but I can definitely appreciate and wild out to those types of jammers.  Of course, as a teenager, it was more of the angsty, anger-type shit that I (and other moody ass teens) related with.  But as time rolls on, the more I can just simply appreciate the rawness of expression and the pure energy that is conveyed through the music.  Shit is RAW!  This type of expression always reminds me of Herzog’s idea of “Ecstatic Truth,” which is a concept that is also locked away deep in my heart.  Keepin’ it real ya’ll!

Anyway, so yeah, yadda yadda….the first time I was introduced to punk was through a mixtape (yes, an actual cassette tape) that my friend Rachon made me whilst in the throes of high school.  It was super legit.  She was wayyyy into it, all about it.  We were both music junkies and did a swap.  At that time, I was way into gangster rap…ha!  But hot damn, the parallels that can be drawn betwixt the 2 genres!  I immediately took a liking to punk.  The bands that stood out the most on that tape to me, were The Descendents, Bouncing Souls and Suicidal Tendencies.  I would go with my friends to punk rock shows and do the whole crowd surfing thing (which was supremely awesome!) and even got down in the mosh pit once, like an idiot.  Got knocked in the face then too, maybe that’s why I’m remembering all this punk rock nonsense.

The Descendents, Hope (live)

Alas, I’ve digressed again.  So I guess I just wanted to share some of the punk and post-punk bands that I’ve discovered over the years that might not get as much recognition as your Dead Kennedys, The Buzzcocks, Joy Divisions and what have you.  Though no one, including myself, can knock their greatness.  I bow down in reverence, and seriously they’re going to be canonized and remembered until humanity is no more. Got mad love for the classics!

PUNK

Xray Spex, I Am A Poseur

Delta 5, Mind Your Own Business

POST PUNK

The Fall, My New House

I love the album that this song is from (This Nation’s Saving Grace)!  The lead singer Mark E. Smith is a gangster!  And just for all you music nerds like myself, Mark E. Smith’s later musical project, the band Von Sudenfed, was a more experimental rock/electronic type sound, and has been compared to contemporary acts like DFA’s LCD Soundsystem.  And apparently, LCD has mentioned that The Fall was actually one of their sources of inspiration.  Fancy that!  Everything comes full circle, don’t it?

NU PUNK

These New Puritans, Elvis

Oh dude.  Can’t even explain how obsessed I became last year with this new band.  And it gets harder for new bands to grab me as years go by…guess I’m showing my age.  EEeeeEEek!  But yeah, their 2008 album, “Beat Pyramid,” seriously blew me away.  So fresh!!  And their whole iconography and aesthetic totally creates an atmosphere and whole package.  Also, game recognize game…▲Hedi Slimane▲(of Dior Homme x Daft Punk costumier fame) apparently paired up with the band to collab on some outfits or whatever other creative idears that were/are to be synthesized.  That is LEGIT!! ▲▲▲

Anyway, hope you lovelies enjoyed this modest foray into punk, post-punk and nua;dljf;aljr?????? punk.  Here’s an oldie but goodie, for good measure!  Sayonara!

Dead Kennedys, Holiday in Cambodia