Here are some things you can do to become a true punk:
1. Listen to punk music
Punk rock is the heart of punk culture, and it’s crucial to listen to the music that defined the movement. Whether it’s the classic sounds of The Clash and the Sex Pistols or the more modern punk bands like Green Day and Bad Religion, listening to punk music will give you a sense of the rebellious ethos that punk embodies.
2. Dress the part
Punk fashion is about being rebellious, unique and expressing your individuality. The style is all about bold clothing, unusual hairstyles, and statement accessories. Wear leather jackets, studded belts, tartan, and denim, when it comes to hair, go for bold, short hairstyles or go wild with dyed hair.
3. Embrace punk politics
Punk culture is as much about politics as it is about music and fashion. Punk politics is typically anti-establishment, anarchistic, and socialist. To become a true punk, you should understand and embrace the social and political issues that the punk movement has fought for like LGBTQ rights and racial equality.
4. DIY mentality
Punks are known for their do-it-yourself (DIY) mentality, which emphasizes independently creating, organizing, and promoting punk culture. In this spirit, many punk bands have started their own record labels, set up their own gigs, and organized their own tours. Embracing a DIY attitude is not only integral to the punk ethos, but it can also help you develop your own creative abilities.
5. Engage with the punk community
Punks are a tight-knit community that supports and promotes each other. If you want to become a true punk, engage with the punk community – go to punk gigs, join punk groups, and participate in the conversations. This will help you get a better understanding of the culture and the issues that are important to punks.
6. Be true to yourself
At its core, punk culture is about being true to yourself, expressing your individuality, and rejecting conformity. While it’s essential to understand and embrace the punk ethos modelled by previous generations, it’s also crucial to create your twist. It’s more than a fashion statement or a music genre, it’s about being authentic and living by great values that inspire and motivate you.
In conclusion, becoming a true punk takes more than just wearing a leather jacket and listening to punk rock music. It’s a lifestyle, a mindset, and a way of being that requires constant learning, challenging oneself, and embracing individuality. By listening to punk music, dressing up punk, understanding punk politics, embracing DIY mentality, engaging with the punk community, and being true to yourself, you can become a true punk. The culture may seem daunting at first, but by taking it one step at a time and having fun along the way, you can become a true punk in no time.