How Punk Changed London Forever

Summary

This personal account captures the rise of punk rock and new wave in the UK during the 1970s. The speaker, who was deeply involved in organizing punk shows, reflects on the cultural shift from mainstream rock to raw, high-energy music. He discusses the struggles of the scene, including media misrepresentation, venue closures, and police interference, while highlighting the excitement of being part of this groundbreaking movement. Ultimately, punk's grassroots energy was commercialized, yet its impact on music and youth culture was profound and lasting.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was deeply involved in the punk rock and new wave movements during the mid-1970s in London, particularly through organizing live music events.
• 😀 Punk rock emerged as a reaction against the stagnation of the mainstream music scene, which was dominated by bands like Genesis and Yes with overblown, concept-heavy albums.
• 😀 The speaker’s journey started as a pub manager, but they soon moved to Ely, where they became involved in promoting punk music, notably at venues like the Dog and Pheasant in Cambridge.
• 😀 While Malcolm McLaren is often credited with 'creating' punk, bands like Dr. Feelgood and Eddie and the Hot Rods were already part of a growing, high-energy music scene before the term 'punk' was popularized.
• 😀 The media often mischaracterized punk music and its followers, treating it as a dangerous, chaotic force rather than recognizing it as a genuine grassroots movement.
• 😀 Punk rockers were not a monolithic group; different bands had varying styles, and there was overlap with other genres like new wave, power pop, and even folk music.
• 😀 Despite media portrayals of punk as anarchy, much of the violence associated with punk shows was more a result of local tensions, such as town-and-gown rivalries in places like Cambridge.
• 😀 The punk scene was vibrant and energetic, with bands like the Damned and 999 drawing huge crowds, often in venues that were packed beyond capacity.
• 😀 The speaker remembers key moments, like hearing 'Whole Wide World' by Reckless Eric, which captured the spirit of the movement and its energy in real-time.
• 😀 Punk's rise was met with backlash from authorities, and venues were often closed down or banned from hosting punk concerts, especially after incidents involving violence or local unrest.
• 😀 Despite the commercial success that followed, with mainstream music labels cashing in on punk, the core ethos of punk remained about personal expression, freedom, and rejecting conformity.

Q & A

How did the speaker initially get involved in the punk rock and new wave scene?

The speaker first got involved in the punk rock and new wave scene while working as a trainee manager in a pub in South Greenford in the mid-1970s. He was part of a music scene that was looking for a change, as the traditional rock and roll scene was stagnating with bands like Genesis releasing long and tedious albums. The speaker wanted more excitement and eventually found it with punk rock, after witnessing the burgeoning movement in London.

What role did Malcolm McLaren play in the development of punk rock in London?

Malcolm McLaren played a key role in 'manufacturing' the punk rock scene in London by drawing inspiration from the garage rock bands he saw in New York, particularly the scene at CBGB's. He came back to London and formed the Sex Pistols, shaping the movement through his marketing and management efforts, despite the fact that punk rock was already emerging in London through bands like Dr. Feelgood and Eddie and the Hot Rods.

How did the media's portrayal of punk rock affect public perception?

The media's portrayal of punk rock was often sensationalized, leading to a public perception that the movement was a chaotic, rebellious threat. The media lumped all punk and new wave acts together, regardless of their musical complexity or ethos. This created an image of punk rock as noisy, destructive, and dangerous, which was far from the reality of the music scene, where bands like The Jam were actually skilled musicians.

Why did some venues and events face opposition from local authorities?

Local authorities were often wary of punk rock events due to the association with unruly behavior and violence, as well as the countercultural image of punk itself. Venues like the speaker’s punk gigs in Cambridge and Chelmsford were shut down following incidents such as a stabbing and a fight at a show, even though these incidents were not entirely related to the music or the punk ethos.

What were some of the challenges in organizing punk gigs?

One of the main challenges in organizing punk gigs was opposition from local authorities, who were often hostile to the movement. Additionally, there were logistical problems such as low budgets, trouble getting paid, and the risk of violence at some shows. Despite these hurdles, the speaker was determined to create an exciting music scene and continued organizing shows in venues across cities like Cambridge and Chelmsford.

What influence did the Roxy Club and other venues have on the punk movement?

The Roxy Club, along with other venues like the Marquee and the Vortex, played a significant role in shaping the punk movement by providing spaces for new punk bands to perform and gain exposure. These venues became key hubs where fans and musicians could interact, see shows, and be part of the underground music scene in London.

What was the significance of the song 'Whole Wide World' by Reckless Eric?

The song 'Whole Wide World' by Reckless Eric was significant to the speaker as a moment of musical revelation. He heard it at a record shop in 1977, and it stood out as an exciting, fresh piece of music that embodied the raw energy of the punk scene. This moment reinforced his desire to be part of the punk revolution and share the music with others.

How did the speaker's involvement in punk rock music change his perspective on the mainstream music industry?

The speaker’s involvement in punk rock exposed him to the grassroots, DIY ethos of the movement, where excitement and creativity were prioritized over technical skill or commercial appeal. However, as punk rock became mainstream, the speaker observed how the music industry co-opted the movement for profit, turning the revolutionary energy into a commercial enterprise by signing punk bands to major labels like EMI.

What role did the local press play in shaping the narrative of punk rock events?

The local press played a significant role in shaping the narrative of punk rock events, often sensationalizing incidents to create a larger-than-life story. For example, the speaker's show in Chelmsford was marred by a fight, and the local newspaper published a headline like 'punk mayhem,' which exaggerated the situation. This sensationalized portrayal helped perpetuate the negative image of punk rock.

How did the local authorities' bans impact the punk scene in the speaker’s area?

The bans by local authorities on punk shows significantly impacted the scene, as the speaker was banned from hosting events in Chelmsford after a violent incident. These closures hindered the growth of the local punk scene, but they also highlighted the tensions between the grassroots punk movement and the establishment, which often viewed punk as a disruptive force.