Hardcore Punk: A Message

          Hardcore Punk is a sub-genre that originated in the late nineteen-seventies. Deemed as “unprofessional,” hardcore was a shot of energy with “Do It Yourself” ethics and young, angry individuals. Hardcore was different from many genres and had many close ties to underground hip-hop. It was punk rock’s heavier and harder-hitting older brother. With fast-paced drums, yelled lyrics, and riffing guitars, there was an actual voice.

     

     This brings a common question, “Aren’t they just yelling about whatever in their music?” This genre of music is more than what the average person sees and hears. These frontmen/front-women choose to speak out on topics related to politics, social issues, gender issues, drugs/alcohol, and more. This was one of the main appeals to hardcore rather than just rock and roll, one thing hardcore will never lose is it’s authenticity.

     Anti-establishmentarianism, anti-militarianism, and anti-authoritarianism were popular topics spoken about in songs related to politics. Typically, hardcore sided with far left-wing views, anarchy, and socialism. For example, this would include the ridding of a hierarchy, they wanted equality when it came to power and wealth. It was expressed that every individual should be given the same economic and social opportunities. As a result in the music, people would take initiative and protest, vandalize, or boycott. 

     One band from the late seventies and most of the eighties that was very notable for being anti-authoritarian and far-left winged was Black Flag. In their music, they talk about non-conformity, poverty, and the working class. Raymond Pettibond, a brother to one of the members, was the designer of the Black Flag logo. When asked about the logo, he said, “If a white flag means surrender, then a black flag means anarchy” (The Art of Punk).

     

     My personal favorite and one of the most influential topics hardcore touches upon is drug/alcohol use and Straight Edge. The Youth Crew era originated in New York City in the late eighties, some of these bands included Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today, and Chain of Strength. All heavily influenced by bands like Minor Threat, they had lyrics touching upon refraining from drugs and alcohol, promiscuous sex, and even adopting practices such as vegetarianism or veganism. 

     Drugs and alcohol were a major problem in the underground scene back in the eighties, but there were those who wanted to separate themselves. The goal was to let others know that you did not have to drink or smoke to feel better, you could live the best life possible with a clear mind. Straight Edge has become a universal term, it is stronger than ever and has had an incredible effect on people worldwide (in the music or not). Some of the most modern and notable Straight Edge bands of the two-thousands include Have Heart, Down to Nothing, and Foundation. Along with lyrics related to the refrain of drugs/alcohol, many lyrics include PMA (Positive Mental Attitude). PMA was a mental weapon used to overcome depression, anxiety, or the odds against you. The message in PMA was let people know they are not slaves to their depression or addictions, there is hope to be better. One of my favorite choruses comes from Armed With A Mind by Have Heart:

“Armed, armed with a mind.

I'm gonna strengthen my action with thought.

Make use of the gift I got.

And walk fearless because I'm armed with a mind.

A weak offense when you step to this.

Mind over matter is power over fists.

I walk fearless because I'm armed with a mind.” 

Have Heart’s Final Show, Edge Day 2009 in Revere, Massachusetts.

When dissecting the lyrics, the vocalist is talking about how a strong and clear-headed mind can overcome anything. In the song, he makes it a point that you do not have to fight, but to rather use words to solve a conflict. You are gifted with a mind, use it properly.

     In response to the idea of Straight Edge and PMA, kids would make shirts, bleach their hair, draw X’s on their hands (or even get the X’s tattooed on them), and also make their very own bands to spread the message. There was a pride to being Straight Edge, not for bragging rights, but for being happy with one’s own personal choice. These bands wanted to make it socially acceptable to feel comfortable even if you didn’t drink or smoke.

     Hardcore will never be a popular genre of music, but it will always be one of the most powerful and true ones. Hardcore will never stop striving to get the point across, it will always attract new people to seek to make a change or help better themselves. There’s nothing better than being straight up with someone and there’s nothing more blunt than this genre. The rawness and realness of it make it more relatable than ever, the excitement of a message is contagious. It will always be more than kids yelling lyrics, loud guitars, and stage dives.

     Works Cited

The Art of Punk. Perf. Black Flag. MOCAtv, 2013. Episode One.

Barcella, Laura. "No Drugs, No Drink, No Problem-Straight Edge Then and Now | The Fix." The Fix. The Fix, 9 July 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2015.

Williams, J. Patrick. Subcultural Theory: Traditions and Concepts. Cambridge, UK: Polity, 2011. N. pag. Print.