Punk; Thirty Years On (2/3) By Bekki Stephenson

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

We all are familiar with the group of girls at the school gates in their matching tracksuits (trouser leg tucked in sock), bleach blonde hair with contrasting black roots, and their part magpie jewellery tendencies (evidentially supported by their love of all things shiny, or as vacuous, illiterate street-slang would say 'bling'). So out of common courtesy we give them a label and not one of them comes forward as a proud-to-be-chav. No, instead they put on a pair of black tights cut out the foot, die their hair black and voila- they want to be punk too. Remember the saying they're only jealous? O ye of little faith.

Many punk bands in the seventies built their platforms by rejecting conformity, through the way they looked. Punk differed from any other type of music in lyrical content, sound and performance styles. In early punk times, bands such as The Sex Pistols and The Ramones proved that you did not have to hold a music degree or even play an instrument to make music, you simply had something to say.

Legend has it that after seeing the Sex Pistols support one of his old bands, Joe Strummer was moved to form The Clash. Groups like The Buzzcocks, Joy Division and The Stranglers followed, and the punk influence has carried through to current bands like The Artic Monkeys, Green Day, Rancid and Blink 182. It was through breaking the myth that musicians had to be well educated, that so many teenage groups of friends have formed their own band, practised in their parent's garages without any real equipment and become multi-million pound recording artists.

While in the previous decade the music had been about hippies and love thy neighbour, all very sickly sweet, the punk bands decided that enough was enough and instead sang about things that were actually true to them; Let me tell you 'bout Wayne and his deals of Cocaine, A little more every day, Holding for a friend till the band do well, Then the d.e.a. Locked him away - lyrics taken from Jail Guitars Doors by The Clash are typical of the raw honesty being shouted and spat from the groups. In fact the very same band's lyrics are still causing outrage today.

In June 2004, a father of two was arrested as a terrorist suspect after a text message reading How about this for Tommy Gun? Ok so lets agree about the price and make it one jet airliner for ten was intercepted by the police. However, it turned out the man was actually in a Clash tribute band and was simply texting lyrics to Tommy Gun to the bands singer.

Lyrics such as what a scummy man, just give him half a chance I bet he'll rob you if he can, can see it in his eyes, yeah that he's got a driving ban, amongst some other offences - from When the Sun Goes Down by the Artic Monkeys demonstrates how thirty years on new bands are still lyrically influenced by early punk.

Image was crucial to the punk ethos, used in its truest form; it provides a costume reflecting a desire of intensity and frustration. Stereotypically leather, denim, spikes, studs, chains and tartan, piercing and heavy eye-makeup have all become associated with typical punk uniform. However, with the growing number of highstreet chains copying the punk look, it is gradually losing its individuality.

Studded belts, ripped denim skirts and slogan t-shirts can be seen in almost every shop along the highstreet. What's more, these multi-million pound company are actually trying to make their clothes look vintage and worn to coincide with the appeal of charity chops, vintage boutiques and flea markets.

Continued ... Next Page (3/3)

Fashion - A Voyage of Vintage Discovery In Hull By Jo Allison
	The world's fashion capitals have never to my knowledge once included the lovely English northern city of Hull, but perhaps this is about to change. Hull, not notorious for its fashion sense (unless you are a fan of extensive gold jewellery, tracksuits with the obligatory tucked in socks or small scraps of brightly coloured lycra masquerading as tops) has always had a underground Read more...

Fashion - A Bohemian Revolution By Jo Allison Photographs by Cilla, Fashion Show Gallery at Lattitude 27th February 2006 by Paul Broadbent
	A little shop of heaven, just down Newland Ave. Jo had been traipsing around Hull for three hours and rummaged through just about every clothing rail in Hull. She had a big night out coming up that weekend and needed that elusive fashionista party dress. The only problem was she really couldn't find a thing. She dreamed of looking like a model, Read more...

Fashion - Plump Those 'Lovely Lady Lumps!' By Jo Allison
	Just when you thought you were going to have to shell out thousands and go under the knife to get that bouncy JLo bottom... Hallelujah for the "Falke Foam Buttocks!" However, if padded briefs seem a bit too excessive; take a look at six of the gentler ways to get that "just had surgery look". No pain, no gain, or so the saying goes. For decades women have been living up to this Read more...

Fashion - If You Haven't Got it, Flaunt It By Jo Allison
	David Bailey's most recent project, Democracy, takes a frank, naked view of the real human body. Just what we need in our aesthetically obsessed society. For too long now skinny has been beautiful, airbrushing a prerequisite. The fashion world is perhaps one of the worst culprits for warping our perception of the human body, but the latest offering from Read more...

Fashion - Trendy Traditionalists By Jo Allison
	Lost your patriotic sense of what it means to be British? Do not despair. As Gordon Brown urges us to celebrate Britain, Jo Allison re-introduces us to our classically cool English Heritage, from traditional tea to quaint seaside holidays. Queuing is undoubtedly an extremely English, if somewhat boring occurrence. However, it can be rather enlightening. While queuing in the Post Office, I Read more...

Fashion - Platform News By Bekki Stephenson
	From disco-inspired, glittering soles to five-inch wooden heels, platform shoes are destined to get you noticed. It is no surprise then that they were all over the catwalk this season. From post-war inspired cork soles to seventies inspired disco-classics, the runway was flooded with platform shoes this season. After so many seasons of flowing, dainty designs a shift towards a style less Read more...

Fashion - Fur Goodness Sake By Bekki Stephenson
	Supermodel Elle McPherson has backed out of a £1 million contract with luxury fur company Blackglama over fears that she will be targeted by anti-fur extremists. But should we really ban fur? Or are we being manipulated by anti-fur movements? I like fur. I don't wear it very often, partly due to the unforgiving looks of those from the I'd rather go naked Read more...

Fashion - Sharon's Fashion Page
	Yeah it's Sharon here, Sharon Saxby in fact, though with my special interest in jewellery I suppose I should be called Sharon Stone. That was a joke. Anyway. Here I am with my new exciting fashion page, featuring all the latest trends from our estate. I can guarantee you'll find something here that you wouldn't Read more...

Fashion - Revolver: When Mod meets Modification By Daniel Laney
	The new vintage clothing shop set to make a big impact in Hull city centre. Trinity Market, Hull (Opposite Trinity Church. Mon - Sat 9am-5pm) When the terms Retro or Vintage are linked with clothes, thoughts of over priced charity shop fabrics and the smell of musty damp cupboards rapidly come to mind. However, with Read more...

Fashion - Looking Good for a Makeover at Les Ciseaux
	by Cilla Les Ciseaux Salon is jointly owned and run by sisters Karen Grant and Cheryl Boulton, aided by Jeannie. Karen is a stylist with 19 years experience in the business and it was her job to make my hair look gorgeous! Cheryl, the salons resident beauty therapist was going to do her best with my face! Read more...

Fashion - Love From Holly by Cilla
	Some of Hulls local young talent showed what they were made of last Monday (4th August) in a bright and vibrant summertime bonanza at the Welly club, Beverley Road. The late-night fashion show was organised by young designer Holly Cryan, who also featured an original collection made under her own label, 'love from holly'. Also supporting the event were designer Emma Lou and with 2 of his current collections in the show, Phil from Rockerfellas Boutique in the Hepworth Arcade in Hull. Read more...

Columns - Steve Regan - King of Hull 1st May 2006
	The story of John Prescott's sexual indiscretions with his secretary has been an absolute hoot on one level. Suddenly, it was as if Jabba the Hutt had come to life in all his slimy lecherousness. By the time you read this, Prezza might already have been forced to resign. The lairy photographs showing our oafish Deputy Prime Minister cavorting with Tracey Temple Read more...

Columns - Suzie's Social Conscience Part 6
	Hi there! Well, I've given a little thought this week to those amazing people of outstanding conscience, courage and bravery. People who have risked their freedom, and even their lives, for a cause that they believe in. Take Martin Luther King, for example. How inspiring it was when he got up and made that speech.... I Have a Dream. Even more amazing, that over a decade later, Read more...

Columns - Those Old Playpenitentiary Blues by The Silver Fox
	Long time no see, www.catsandkittens.com; hell of a long time, come to think of it. Now, far be it from me to suggest that people who spend long enough on the Internet to pick over the detritus that litters the scrubby grass verges of this particular Information Super Lay-by don't lead full and busy lives - buying tat on Ebay, looking for dwarf porn Read more...

Columns - Crazy Joe's News-Rant - Am I Right Wing or Left Wing? Part 2 By King Rat
	Given the choice between orally pleasing a great white shark and being the Falluja Avon lady, I guess some man-eating fish is in for it. As captain America's hillbilly conscripts tear at the bit to open up another operation of blood fest on those happy zealots; Read more...

Columns - Eel Llenassac presents Smokers Corner
	I somehow found my way to the bedroom last night where I was blessed with the presence of the Sliver Fox, The Manchurian Candidate, Cowfish and Shindig (including their every reliable roadie, Stevo Ravishing Rick Wraggs. I had a nice good old-fashioned drunken Read more...

Columns - Something Hot in a Cold Country - Part 2 By Jane Foster
	In my role at thisisUll.com I seem to have taken it upon myself to be the reporter, nay, the spread-the-worder - of all things multicultural in the tiny crack of the universe that is 'ull. In using the word crack please Read more...