One thing that gets me is when people get on new or current punk bands and claim these bands are just rehashing old stuff. They imply that they’re just copying the Ramones or some other well known classic punk band.
First of all, the folks who make this claim aren’t even familiar with current local punk bands because if they did they would know these new bands are more influenced by hardcore than classic punk, by far. Second, though a lot of bands might mention the Ramones or Clash they, (if you actually listen to them), don’t sound much like these bands they admire. And thirdly, to blame a band for working in an existing genre is unrealistic because how many bands get to start their own genre? So unless you’re ready to start the new Italian music/punk scene you’re out of luck. It’s really just a prejudice against punk music ‘cause all other bands who are pop, indie, country rock, jam band etcetera are just basically trying to fall in the footsteps of the Beatles, REM, Eagles, Grateful Dead etcetera.
So what I would suggest to do when people complain about punk bands in this manner is to take these peoples heads and nail them to a tree and then pluck their eyeballs out and feed them to the birds. At least then they can’t say you’re copying anyone.
(Jim Slimedog)
