Punk: The Do-It-Yourself Subculture - Ian P. Moran

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Ian P.Moran. (2011). Punk: The Do-It-Yourself Subculture. Social Sciences Journal. 10 (1), p1-8.

Quotes:

p1, "The punk movement is often viewed as a youth culture based on teen adolescence angst. However, punk as a subculture goes much further than rebellion and fashion as punks generally seek an alternative lifestyle divergent from the norms of society."

p1, "What are the core values of the punk subculture that allow the D.I.Y lifestyle to succeed? This research will investigate how the D.I.Y record labels and independent press reinforce the social networking which allows the subculture to survive."

p1, "What makes it possible for virtually unknown bands to partake in international tours across the globe? THis research will examine how punk bands have created a network that is strong enough to support bands from other countries. The core values within the punk subculture seem to be universal. The values and music of the punk subculture are being transplanted into many different cultures around the world today. This research will also explore how modern technology has enhanced networking capabilities and changed the D.I.Y punk movement as a whole. The research will also examine the reason behing the devotion and allegiance punks feel towards the D.I.Y aspect of the subculture and explore if the purpose of the D.I.Y aspect of teh punk subculture is strictly a rebellion against consumerism."

p2, "Ryan Moore and Michael Roberts focused on the D.I.U ethics of the punk subculture and how the structure of the underground media has enabled the social movement to be linked with political protest in "Do-It-Yourself Mobilization  Punk and Social Movements" (2009). The authors argued that punk is a social movement based on the organizational aspects of the D.I.Y ethic by claiming: 

'The D.I.Y ethic has enabled punk subculture to build a substaintial infrastructure of underground media, and we will examine different episodes where this media has played an active role in generating and coordinating social protest among people who identify as punks.' (276)"

p2, "...the D.I.Y subculture was involved in the political agenda of the time: Rock Against Racism, the "hardcore" movement and the "riot grrrl" movement. Once the punks attach themselves to a political agenda, they use D.I.Y ethic to enhance the subculture's relationship to the ideal. Rock Against Racism was a movement where punks adress the notion of anti-racism, whereas the "hardcore" movement was a rebellion against President Reagan's actions. The "riot grrrl" movement was a way for women to create a network with other individuals who shared their feminist beliefs. In the analysis, Moore and Roberts discuss how the punk subculture as a whole is formed by music and common similarities of the individuals involved."

p2, "Once punks decide to voice their political views, they look to the D.I.Y ethic in order to share their views with other punks. They might publish their political views in fanzines which are distributed to other punk collectives."

p3, "The purpose of this study was to examine the D.I.Y ethics in relation to the core values of the punk subculture. What are D.I.Y ethics, and how do they relate to the punk subculture? Would the punk subculture exist without the D.I.Y movement? How do the core values of the punk subculture relate to politics?"

p3, "The population of this study consisted of active members within the punk subculture. For the purpose of this study, the term "active member" indicates a person who currently participates in the punk subculture."

p3, "The sample for this study is reflective of the individuals within the punk subculture who play in bands, run record companies and write fanzines; all of which are important aspects of the punk subculture that help keep the D.I.Y community stay alive."

p3, "(Women and men are not equally represented in this study because of the lack of women who have traditionally taken on major roles within the punk subculture, such as playing in bands, recording music and releasing material.)"

p4, "D.I.Y is the aspect of the punk subculture where everything is constructed by the individual. This often includes distributing fanzines, booking shows and recording music only with other people involved in the punk subculture."

p4, "Understanding the participants initial attraction and exposure to the punk subculture was very important in order to full grasp the participants outlook on the punk subculture."

p5, "'The ethical domain of D.I.Y punk culture can be summarized as something that is fundamentally made by fans, for the fans.' He explained how with the outgrowth of hardcore punk in the 1980's would not have been possible without D.I.Y because no major labels showed interest in punk, punks were forced into creating almost every aspect of the subculture. Chris believes that the D.I.Y ethic spawned from kids in the late 1970's "giving the middle finger to the major rock groups of the time.'"

p5, "Many initial publications (fanzines) that covered new groups were fan created and analogous to the political pamphlets that were circulated during the centuries of yore. Moreover, what's more political than refusing a conglomeration of dominant media outlets and releasing your own art?"

p6, "Prior to the internet, punk bands of all styles would often play together; whereas now there are strictly hardcore shows, crust shows or pop punk shows. Electronic communication has changed the D.I.Y punk subculture in a positive manner by increasing the connections between people, but at the same time has created divisions between punk genres."

p7, "Dave answered that the core value of punk was freedom and thinking for yourself  and when asked about the political aspects of punk, he described how the common punk is more against establishment politics."

p7, "Chris explained how the political views in fanzines distributed are another example of self expression and freedom of voice."

p7, "The distribution of fanzines is often a combination of updates on the punk scene by geographic location and political views of the authors. The rejection of major ideals tied to consumerism that punk offers show that the values of the subculture are indeed based on politics."

p7, "Interestingly, the core value that all of the participants agree on of the punk subculture is the D.I.Y ethic. Being able to produce and distribute ideas and art without the interference of major corporations seems to be the main idea within the punk subculture."

p7, "The distribution of fanzines is an expression of self-philosophy, whereas records are a creative outlet."