The Punk Movement Was Over Before It Began

1. Mo Money, Mo Problems...

The amount of money offered made the band examine themselves as to whether they were selling out. Soon, the individual intentions of the band members became apparent. Joe Strummer, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon swore that to them, it wasn’t about the money; the possibility of getting their music heard and inspiring a larger audience was what mattered to them. They compromised on selling out by sticking with their original motivations for their music, which Strummer simply defined as, ‘anti-fascist, anti-violence, anti-racist, pro-creative and against ignorance,’ and the message remained more important than the money.

However, manager Bernie Rhodes and their first drummer, Terry Chimes, stated that they wanted to spend the money frivolously. This caused a rift between the band, and soon, their manager and drummer were replaced (with Terry Chimes being credited as ‘Tory Crimes’ on the sleeve on their debut album).

The Clash’s ideology towards their music was prevalent throughout their career, but after the initial success of the group, Strummer began to dub the band as ‘Rebel Rock,’ seemingly distancing The Clash from the contradictory nature of the Punk name, as well as freeing themselves creatively so they could explore other genres and influences.

For the Sex Pistols, even after they had split up, they remained poster boys for the Punk movement of the late-1970s. However, their call for anarchy was hollow and used as a mere marketing strategy from the mind of Malcolm McLaren. In later years, Lydon clarified that he wasn’t an anarchist.

The image associated with Punk was also a method used for making counter-culture accessible, which causes an immediate contradiction. Early Punk fashion influencer, and co-manager of the ’SEX’ shop, Vivienne Westwood became anointed under the title of ‘Dame’ in 2006 by the same Queen the Sex Pistols had once mocked. Not only that, but she continues to sell Punk clothing to this day and a casual jacket will cost you £850. As an architect for the Punk ‘movement,’ Westwood has come to represent everything it was supposed to be against.

These days, it is disputed when Punk died. In fact, many optimists claim that is still alive and well. But Vivienne Westwood is a Dame, Joe Strummer is dead, and Johnny Rotten sold butter. Punk has become a relic of a bygone era, and in ‘Stay Free,’ a podcast documentary on the rise and fall of The Clash, narrator (and Public Enemy rapper), Chuck D, claims that Punk was intended to be anti-nostalgia. However, by giving it a name, Punk began creating its own history and so contradicted this original intent.

While the genre of Punk was huge and continues its popularity today, the movement that apparently came about from its roots were formed in manipulation and marketing strategies. The intention of management in creating these attractive and alternative bands was all for fame and fortune, something that is antithetical to the Punk ideology. Therefore, the movement was null and void the same day it was created.