What is punk?
Punk is lying outside on the grass in the middle of the night smoking. Being happy cos you just bummed a quarter, your going to buy a package of ramen and everybody's gonna get to eat lunch today. It's doing zines. Spikey hair. Getting drunk and having your best friend shave your head. Still thinking it looks cool the next morning.
Punk is a big PISS OFF to everyone that made fun of you in second grade cos you dressed funny. A revolution. Being loud and not caring. It's going to school dances and passing out queer propaganda. Bright pink hair.
Punk is everybody being broke. It's the first time I kissed a girl. Sharing hair dye. Sneaky eyes. Losing your virginity while trying not to wake up the other people sleeping in the same bed. It's anger. Not just sitting home angry anymore, but doing something to change the things you think are screwed up.
Punk is resisting psychic death. Getting drunk. Being sober. It's refusing to let the world turn you into a bitter, abusive person. Falling in love with another girl. Staying up all night watching cheezy eighties movies. Poetry sex being proud.
Punk is finally forgetting all the ideas our parents tried to instill in us, finally starting to think for ourselves. Writing articles. Refusing to sit down and shut up and smile.
Punk is spinning around in the rain. Talking loudly, to anyone that will listen, about freedom. Freedom to be who you want, say what you feel, love who you will. It's refusing to be silenced again. Standing up for people who cannot stand up for themselves. Drinking lots and lots of caffeine. Proving that all punk kids aren't illiterate and mean.
Punk is what you make it...
"She asked me, 'Whats punk?' I said, 'Punks not a look, it's a lifestyle.' ...She looked confused, so I kicked over a trash can and said, 'That's punk.' She then kicked a trash can and said, 'Is that punk?' I said, 'No, that's trendy.'"
- Jackie Tran
Punk is a big PISS OFF to everyone that made fun of you in second grade cos you dressed funny. A revolution. Being loud and not caring. It's going to school dances and passing out queer propaganda. Bright pink hair.
Punk is everybody being broke. It's the first time I kissed a girl. Sharing hair dye. Sneaky eyes. Losing your virginity while trying not to wake up the other people sleeping in the same bed. It's anger. Not just sitting home angry anymore, but doing something to change the things you think are screwed up.
Punk is resisting psychic death. Getting drunk. Being sober. It's refusing to let the world turn you into a bitter, abusive person. Falling in love with another girl. Staying up all night watching cheezy eighties movies. Poetry sex being proud.
Punk is finally forgetting all the ideas our parents tried to instill in us, finally starting to think for ourselves. Writing articles. Refusing to sit down and shut up and smile.
Punk is spinning around in the rain. Talking loudly, to anyone that will listen, about freedom. Freedom to be who you want, say what you feel, love who you will. It's refusing to be silenced again. Standing up for people who cannot stand up for themselves. Drinking lots and lots of caffeine. Proving that all punk kids aren't illiterate and mean.
Punk is what you make it...
"She asked me, 'Whats punk?' I said, 'Punks not a look, it's a lifestyle.' ...She looked confused, so I kicked over a trash can and said, 'That's punk.' She then kicked a trash can and said, 'Is that punk?' I said, 'No, that's trendy.'"
- Jackie Tran