What Is Punk Now?
The Age of Insta-culture means you can counterfeit insider knowledge by searching Spotify
Hot Topic and H&M let Taylor Swift fans be ‘punk’
While the oldheads whine about CBGBs and apply purity tests, a new, more democratic sensibility is being born for kids who actually care about music
CBGB, as most insufferable oldheads will tell you, was the epitome of all musical culture in New York City, and therefore on the entire planet, especially punks. But since its demise in 2006, three years before I was born, the insufferable oldheads have seemingly switched their attitudes from, “That was the coolest place” to “All other places are fake and there is no real music subculture left anywhere on earth, so help me God.” As a self-diagnosed punk, I can tell you that a “real” music subculture in NYC definitely still exists. Last Sunday, the Bowery Electric’s Hardcore Matinee, a free, all-ages monthly hardcore show, featured local bands such as Winter Wolf, The Give-Ups, Incendiary Device, and other local favorites. It seemed to contain everything that the oldheads didn’t want to hear: The same thing they’ve been fighting for in their “punk’s not dead” attitude for so many years, us youngins are fighting for too! In my view, the oldheads have grown too tired and cynical from …