Is punk really a form of the blues? (lyrics, band, hardcore)
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Okay...so an odd question, I admit, but it's long been recognized that rock and roll has its roots in electric blues. In fact, the Who, arguably the quintessential rock band, often billed themselves as "Maximum R & B." Punk is often considered a sub-genre of rock, and ironically, the Who, are considered one of Punk's founding fathers (isn't "My Generation" one of the first punk songs?).
However, it seems to me that the rhythms, chord progressions, and general attitudes of punk have a lot more in common with traditional Celtic music (hence the natural Celtic-punk fusion bands such as the Pogues, the Dropkicks, Flogging Molly, the Tossers, etc.). Even bands such as the Real McKenzies, while leaning more in the direction of straight pop-punk, definitely have a Celtic (or Gaelic) slant.
Celtic music went on to heavily influence traditional Scots-Irish music (bluegrass), and there are even some cross-over punk-bluegrass bands that blend the two genres. So, where did punk come from? Was it the natural evolution of harder classic rock groups (maximum R&B) such as the Who or the Kinks, or is it more of an amped up version of traditional Irish music (which, like Punk, is heavily influenced by alcohol, fighting, nationalism, and politics)? I mean, try this: Take any original Irish or bluegrass song, speed up the tempo (or not in some cases), add in some electric guitar and speed-freak drumming...and Voila: You have a punk song.
No, it isn't the same thing. Punk uses very basic guitar skills. Most doesn't have any lead guitar and only has few chords. Set aside playing lead with feeling and emotion. I guess to put it simply, they would know where to start.
The only thing they have in common is both is three chord music.
Punk wanted to take rock music back to the basics, away from Pink Floyd and Genesis and such bands.
I think the earliest punk bands were influenced by MC5 and the Who and such bands.
Listen to Ramones for example, they just wanted to play like their 60s pop favourites, but weren't good enough as musicians, so it came out as punk.
Okay...so an odd question, I admit, but it's long been recognized that rock and roll has its roots in electric blues.
I didn't realize Blues was built on a three chord progression. Seriously to answer your question, No there are no similarities.
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In fact, the Who, arguably the quintessential rock band, often billed themselves as "Maximum R & B." Punk is often considered a sub-genre of rock, and ironically, the Who, are considered one of Punk's founding fathers (isn't "My Generation" one of the first punk songs?).
It is a sub-genre of rock. Just like Rock before it, Punk went on to help form Alternative, Hardcore, Emo, and Pop-Punk.
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However, it seems to me that the rhythms, chord progressions, and general attitudes of punk have a lot more in common with traditional Celtic music (hence the natural Celtic-punk fusion bands such as the Pogues, the Dropkicks, Flogging Molly, the Tossers, etc.). Even bands such as the Real McKenzies, while leaning more in the direction of straight pop-punk, definitely have a Celtic (or Gaelic) slant.
Influences to those bands in particular. To the mass of punk, no.
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So, where did punk come from?
Punk came from youth hating mainstream music/politics so they stripped down the songs, sped the tempo, and spoke their mind.
Overall: To me, the true genre of Punk didn't exist until Bad Brains showed up.
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