The punk movement was a revolution at its time. Punk’s main ideology was to operate outside the establishment. Punk wasn’t only about music; it was a whole cultural movement. It included and inspired many art forms such as fashion, literature and visual arts. Punk’s DIY ideology made it contagious. People who lived at the time are endlessly telling stories of the amazing era, when everyone was creating what they wanted, and putting it out. They didn’t need anyone’s support or approval. They just went ahead and did it. Punk allowed everyone to express themselves, whether they were skilled or certified to do it or not.
The punk artists were proud about the fact that their art was home made, and that they would do whatever the heck they wanted. Punk was seeking alternative ways of expression, aesthetics and distribution. Punk didn’t censor anything. Therefore it inspired many types of people and artists.
Since Punk wasn’t part of the establishment, it needed to find it’s own distribution network. Many small record labels, clubs, record stores and magazines mushroomed. People wanted to find and share the cool stuff they’d seen. They wanted to spread the good stuff that moved them. Punk bands joined forces and toured squats and living rooms.
If you look around, we are living a similar era. The amazing digital tools have made music production, distribution and marketing possible for everyone. You no longer need tons of money to produce a professional sounding record. You don’t need a label to distribute or market your music. You don’t need the approval of anyone but your audience. How cool is that?
And it’s not just musicians. You can find inspiring visual artists, photographers, video makers, and web designers doing exactly the same thing. They are right at your fingertips – just a mouse click away – and many of them would love to collaborate with a band. The DIY movement of the digital era is the new punk. Everyone is allowed to join, publish their own work, network with other like minded people and spread the word of those that move them. Just like punk did.
Now go out and join the revolution!