OK. I stopped reading the above argument because one side in particular is not getting it. At all.
Afton, I acknowledge the fact that you say that ALOT of bands and music out there these days have tended toward what most would (and love to) classify as "liberal". This does not, in any way, associate it with punk. God no. You know the only reason they are doing it is to cash in on the vogue image of psuedo-caring and passion for community and environment. Most of those bands couldn't care less what actually happened, as long as they get the paper. Thereby there is a distinct difference between punk and the rest. The way I tell is by using (it sounds hippyish) my intuition, my moral intuition I guess. I guess by listening to punk for so long, I can tell. Sometimes I get it wrong. But like Drew says, don't go saying you listen to punk, when you cannot recognise this division, it's a very important division I think. I sound completely prude here I know, but it needs to be said.
There is one song that completely explains what I mean, and of course it's by the old faithful, Propagandhi:
Rock for Sustainable Capitalism:
I fuckin’ love that one rock video where that fucking jack-ass mohawked millionaire prances around by far the worst sausage party on earth, where by mere chance he’s caught on film shaking hands with an incredibly diverse collection of patriotic skins. I like the message it sends: With a Rebel™ yell, Just Do Exactly What You’re Told. One million douche bags can’t be wrong? “When did punk rock become so safe?” You’ll excuse me if I laugh in your face as I itemize your receipts and PowerPoint your balance sheets. I hear this year’s Vans Warped Tour is “going green!” I guess they heard that money grows on trees. Hope they ship all those shitty bands overseas like they did the factories. Music’s power to describe, compel, renew … It’s all a distant second to the offers you can’t refuse. Anyone remember when we used to believe that music was a sacred place and not some fucking bank machine? Not something you just bought and sold? How could we have been so naïve? Well, I think when all is said and done, just cuz we were young doesn’t mean we were wrong. And I’ll rock back and forth on this two-bit hobbyhorse ’til she splinters and gives way. I’ll tend the flowers by her grave. And whisper her name. If anyone out there understands can I please see a show of hands just so I know I’m not insane? Ever get the feeling you been played? Well, that’s rock for sustainable capitalism and you know, we may face a scorched and lifeless earth, but they’re accountable to their shareholders first. That’s how the world works.
