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Taylor Strakhov
Professor Brian Torff
MU 102: The History and Development of Rock
5/6/15
The Formation and Development of Punk Rock
When the word “Punk” is thrown around in conversation it usually is interpreted differently by different people. A general definition of punk rock typically associates it with extremely loud noises, unorthodox fashion style, and often offends the people who hear it. This is not necessarily all true. Yes punk rock is loud and it may offend people, but it does have a purpose and conveys its own meaning. Punk formed and developed as a reaction against oppressive figures of authority and as a musical and social outlet for teens that strayed away from the mainstream.
Punk rock music has an extensive history. “While punk’s anti-authoritarian and rebellious imagery has its antecedents in both the 50s and 60s, the music itself was very much a product of its environment and decade - the 70s” (encyclopedia). The attitude of punk has been around almost twenty years before the music and the music was able to communicate the messages of athese rebellious teenagers. The roots of punk are disputed constantly. Some believe it started in U.K., while others claim it started in New York City. Regardless of where punk started it still has the same foundation anywhere in the world. John Savage brilliantly explains this concept of punk in Pre-Punk Rock:

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In fact, what became known as Punk during 1975 and 1976 had been floating around in various different guises in several cities during the previous few years: New York, Cleveland, Paris, and London to name but four. It was an international sense of boredom with the prevailing culture that saw misfits of all hues go back to maudit, maladjusted noise and try it on for size. Throw it at the wall, fuck you all: life stinks, it's shit, I don't care, oh woah oh. (Savage)
People,