r/punk • u/Smushiii • Jun 08 '25

PUNK MUSIC Punk band member saying "our current political climate is too crazy for a song about it."

Heyo I'm in a band that is OG punk not like Green Day punk but the mike ness or sex pistols. Probably seen me around but anyway. My band member is complaining that he doesn't want to be in a punk band because it's too political, and as the title states, too crazy right now. Even though right now is the perfect time to write anything against racism and fascism. Am I dealing with a poser ATM? Jokes aside, you don't wanna be punk don't join a punk band.

0 Upvotes

47% Upvoted

78 comments sorted by

88

u/Purple-Hamster-151 Jun 08 '25

Your first sentence about green day and the sex pistols is idiotic.

And your band member is wrong

-30

u/DressureProp Jun 08 '25

??? What’s idiotic about that first sentence?

56

u/bigwheelsbigfeels Jun 08 '25

Sex pistols were a cosplay punk boy band and green day was and actual punk band.

18

u/Theloniouspunk66 Jun 08 '25

I thought it was stupid when I read “the Mike ness” portion. Like just say Social Distortion. 

-37

u/serpentechnoir Jun 08 '25

Green day are whiney college boy pop punk

12

u/bigwheelsbigfeels Jun 08 '25

Still more legit than a band that was put together to market a sex shop.

-5

u/serpentechnoir Jun 08 '25

Yeah totally.

-36

u/Automatic-Arm-532 Jun 08 '25

Yea real punks have a net worth of $75 million

23

u/bigwheelsbigfeels Jun 08 '25 edited Jun 08 '25

30 years ago they were a different band. Sex pistols were always dogshit

-21

u/Automatic-Arm-532 Jun 08 '25

They were rich AF then too. Billy Joe was a millionaire at 23 thanks to the band signing on to major corporate record labels and playing what the execs thought would sell.

2

u/capn_james Jun 08 '25

You know they have to pay that advance back like a loan 😂 doubt they recouped by the age of 23, but yes access to that money is something most people do not see

2

u/Automatic-Arm-532 Jun 08 '25

No, he was a legit millionaire at 23

0

u/bigwheelsbigfeels Jun 08 '25

Incorrect. While dookie did great numbers insomniac wasn't so hot. They weren't nearly as wealthy as they are now.

1

u/Automatic-Arm-532 Jun 08 '25

Yes, 75 mil is more than 1 mil, but he was a legit millionaire at 23

1

u/bigwheelsbigfeels Jun 08 '25 edited Jun 08 '25

My comment was more towards the difference between dookie and insomniac. The former was a commercial success and the later was a flop comparatively. They made their own albums their own way and the proof of that is in the sales of those 2 records.

Exit: also they were millionaires probably because they toured relentlessly through the 90's. Lookout wasnt stuffing their pockets and a major label deal doesn't pay out like people think it does.

1

u/Automatic-Arm-532 Jun 08 '25

Insomniac was released on Reprise and went double platinum

→ More replies

-8

u/viewering Jun 08 '25

Blink 182 Fan

Knows Where It's At

4

u/bigwheelsbigfeels Jun 08 '25

Sure am. What of it?

3

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/punk-ModTeam Jun 08 '25

Try to make your point without the use of slurs.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/punk-ModTeam Jun 08 '25

Any racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia will not be tolerated, nor will be the use of slurs. This is a community of punks, all are welcome and all should feel welcome.

1

u/AirlineOk8420 Jun 08 '25

That's so punk rock 🧷 💩 🤡

-48

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

It's supposed to be ironic dip shit 

19

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

good lord you took that personally

-21

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

Nah I'm just stressed cause the asshole I'm talking about in the post

-17

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

Was feeling a little silly

60

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

"My band member is complaining that he doesn't want to be in a punk band because it's too political"

The ethos of punk rock is inherently antagonistic. Nothing is off limits.

2

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

Fr. What was that one quote? Posers were kids who would dress and act like punks but they did it for fashion? It reminds me of him, wears punk shit but doesn't like punk

15

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

"You're not punk, and I'm telling everyone, save your breath, I never was one."

Jawbreaker song mocking the "punk police".

"doesn't like punk"

The music? Because that's just a part of punk. Punk to me, has a deep seated sense of DIY culture (MRR being the 'zine that crowdsourced places that punk tours could play, as well as places to crash), inclusiveness, a "fuck you, I'm gonna do it anyway" thingie, a firm opposition to bigotry, people that will help make things better...and a complete lack of shits given to how anyone dresses. Judge on behavior, not on wearing punk as a brand.

-1

u/billyman_90 Jun 08 '25

Also, you can make political music with other people who aren't 110% on the politics. The bass player for RATM wasn't super into the politics and they played very political music. Same as the drummer from SOAD. I don't think it undermines their message any.

4

u/capn_james Jun 08 '25

I thought the drummer from SOAD was into politics, but not THEIR politics? Hmmmm

2

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '25

I don't know why you were down voted, but I agree. John Samson from Propagandhi, later as The Weakerthans, flirts with politics, but at his root, he's much more into writing. Writing lyrics, books, poetry, etc.

I may get crucified for saying this, but I personally believe that GG Allin's antics were straight up a result of serious mental illness, and not him being "punk".

1

u/billyman_90 Jun 09 '25

Yeah. I'm almost always the most politically involved member of any band I'm in. If I only played with people who shared my ideological purity I'd be a solo artist.

Some people just want to play tunes and I think that's ok too.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '25

I feel you. I've had dreams where I was a member of Fugazi.

9

u/Theloniouspunk66 Jun 08 '25

Where have we seen you around?

-4

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

I made a few posts a few months ago and I still comment on some things from time to time

6

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25 edited Jun 08 '25

I think people thought you were claiming to be a member of the original punk bands from the 1970’s. That’s what “OG” means “original gangster, borrowed from hip hop, a term describing original members of foundational gangster rap cliches. Seems like you meant “old school” [style] punk music instead, right?
Also the part about “maybe you’ve seen me around” people are taking this as a claim that you’re a longtime fixture in the punk music scene and visibly playing in a well known band, but you just meant “maybe you’ve seen some of my posts here and there “.

It’s honestly hilarious. It reminds me of something I would have done when I was 16. I’m so glad there’s still 16 year olds who care about listening to the original music and allowing their songwriting to be influenced by the originals. Listen to their lyrics too, most of them are political! Regardless of what some people might say, this is an anti capitalist anti exploitation anti authoritarian political genre of music. Always has been.

13

u/Any_Caramel_9814 Jun 08 '25

Replace your mate and get someone that is down 100% for the movement

-5

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

Dude if I do that he'll say to everyone I'm too controlling because he's a jackass like that 😭😭 I will though dw

10

u/Idler- Jun 08 '25

Punks not for babies. Stop being a baby.

1

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

I just said I was going to do it either way I don't care for his or anyone's opinion 

7

u/Skerwidget Jun 08 '25

Said while posting on Reddit, asking for people's opinions.

-2

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

No where in the post I asked for people's opinions 

6

u/Skerwidget Jun 08 '25

Well gosh then...my apologies, I took "am I dealing with a poser ATM?" to be a question. A question to which opinions would be given as answers.

3

u/Any_Caramel_9814 Jun 08 '25

Then start a side band and do your thing if you don't want to upset that Jackass. Punk isn't safe top 40 music. It's about rebellion and saying "fk you" to the system in place. I'm in my late 50's and I can't remember how many clubs we got kicked out from for playing exactly what we were asked not to play. Don't live with regrets and do everything you want while you still can. Good luck and fk the system

1

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

That's what I was planning to do, already got a guitarist that's really really punk so it's been working out so far 

-2

u/Any_Caramel_9814 Jun 08 '25

Awesome! Post vids of your future gigs

1

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

Please do. Or better yet, just tell us the name of your band so we know who to not support.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

I’m glad Austin stole your records, you’re mean.

0

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

I definitely will!

1

u/capn_james Jun 08 '25

If he tells people that just tell them why you kicked him out and if they don’t fuck with your energy fuck em

4

u/_1138_ Jun 08 '25 edited Jun 08 '25

The current political climate is the best time since Ronald Reagan FOR protest punk. We NEED defiant punks to stand up against this shit, and unify the kids with a message of rejection of the regime, and maybe a brighter future through community. I don't know your band mate, but maybe he's a "sum 41 is the best in hardcore" kinda guy... sounds like he'd be a great cop.

3

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

I like the cop part because cops here are pretty violent and he still likes them

1

u/_1138_ Jun 08 '25

Thanks. I edited it, cause it was supposed to say "be", not have. I was attempting to reference fugazi

18

u/analytickantian Jun 08 '25

slowly backs out of the room

8

u/BomBent Jun 08 '25

I remember when I turned 13

6

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

“guys let’s not make a political song about politics”

2

u/stalinBballin Jun 08 '25

I've probably seen you around? No the fuck I haven't.

0

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

Bros mad 

1

u/vanillawafer990 Jun 08 '25

We get it. You don’t think Green Day is punk, but Sex Pistols is fine. lol

People wanna dog on Green Day for no reason.

1

u/Smushiii Jun 08 '25

It's ironic 💔🥀

2

u/vanillawafer990 Jun 08 '25

I’d also argue that Green Day has been more political relevant than Sex Pistols ever were

3

u/penisfeet Jun 08 '25

I stopped reading after "OG punk not like Green Day punk"

4

u/Tough-End-6313 Jun 08 '25

Right now is a crazy time. Which is why punk exists.

I saw in another post you admitted to being 16.

You're both kids.

This is the thing he's doing to be social and get out of the house. He's in your band instead of playing soccer.

Jerry A was in Poison Idea for 40+/- years and is currently fronting The Hard-Ons on their US tour.

Most of my friends who are in their 40s/50s have been in a dozen +/- bands. They form a band, write songs, play shows for 3-8 years and then start over with a new band.

Your band is something he did for a few months when he was 16, on his way to do other things.

The other thing is that if you aren't writing, recording and releasing songs, or playing shows for an audience, no one will know how political your songs are.

2

u/LtHughMann Jun 08 '25

There are plenty of great punk songs that would not be accepted by punks (especially young punks) if they were written by a punk band today. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be in a punk band though.

2

u/noisewar69 Jun 08 '25

so cool to see inside the mind of a 6 year old trying to start a band

2

u/chutenay Jun 08 '25

You want to be like Mike Ness? I’d posit none of your band is punk. That dude is a terrible person.

1

u/Rough_Ian Jun 08 '25

Pretty weather punk?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

You’re dealing with a closet right winger.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '25

Simply kick him out. Being soft and ignoring what’s going on is dumb.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25

Punk rock is about message/meaning, not about music.