Punk, Culture And The Spirit Of Change

Punk illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Punk, actually is a type of music that is very idealistic. So are his followers. The type is included in the category of underground music that is not present to be widely traded in the market.

Even so, a number of musicians have chosen to give their whole life to punk music. Just to mention names, there are Buluk (Superglad), Indra Gatot (Rosemary) Aska Pratama (Rocket Rockers) Bobby Kool (Superman Is Dead), Dory (Endank Soekamti), and of course Mike (Marginal).

Before plunging further into the punk scene, it's a good idea to first understand the culture in punk music. One of them is DIY (Do It Yourself) culture or anti-mainstream and mainstream culture.

This does happen in the country of origin of punk music itself, such as in England or the United States. Until now, there is still a debate which country is the originator of punk music.

Exploited, for example, when it first surfaced, could still be said to be an anti-mainstream punk band. But when the album Beat The Bastards was released in 1996, the band chose the mainstream route because the one that houses their album, Rough Justice Records, is a big label.

Meanwhile, The Clash and Sex Pistols can be said to be included in mainstream culture because (again) they are related to the big labels that are their parent.

In Indonesia, there is what is known as 'hardline punk' who in fact does not want to come into contact with any media. It is their choice because each country or band has a different choice in the grouping of mainstream or non-mainstream.

Each band has its own boundaries which are idealism and which are commercialism. But, punk is a way of life, and a freedom for anyone who chooses to slide on the anti-mainstream or establishment path.

With the culture and color of music as before, many say that punk musicians are musicians without skills and seem indifferent in sound matters. This assumption is not even uncommon to come out of the mouth of the punk musician himself.

Some say, in punk music, skill and sound matters later. The important thing is attitude, lyrics, and being able to voice your heart's content.

Right. If we look at the early 70's, punk bands are considered to have no special skills if we look at the recordings that appeared in those years. However, over time, many punk bands have had good skills and sound packaging.

Then, what are the tips to survive in the punk scene? First, of course you have to love the music first. Then, enjoy and be yourself, never extinguish the DIY spirit, create works that provide positive changes, live consistently, and last but not least, fly the slogan that is often echoed by Mike "Marginal". What is that?

"Punk is nothing, he is a free spirit without class, without borders and the spirit of carrying change, he also means me, you, him, them, all of us."