Tim Sommer writes:
The idea that Punk (or any genre) “dies” is based on the idea that it belonged to one generation or one group of people. This sort of proprietary generational ownership is absolutely disgusting. Every single day, lives are changed by rock ’n’ roll records that are 40 years old, 20 years old, 48 years old, 18 years old. Some kid, today, is going to be as moved and inspired by “New Rose” or “If The Kids are United” as you and I were when we first heard those songs.
Saying “Punk Rock Is Dead” is like saying “Pet Sounds is dead,” or “Revolver is dead.” As long as any one person is alive who hears something for the first time and has their world turned upside down by it, that genre, that artist, that spirit never dies.
Of course, punk is full of charlatans and imitators and fakes and frauds. But frauds don’t dim or obscure genius; if anything, they make the bright lights of quality and originality shine even brighter.
Elsewhere, Sommer writes, “The Sex Pistols’ ‘Anarchy in the UK’ Is More Relevant Now Than Ever.”
How can someone be so right and so wrong at the same time? Must be that “negative capability” thing or something…
Donald Trump’s campaign was VERY punk, and those “white working class” folks Sommer is so concerned about VOTED for him.
He just doesn’t get it.
But he doesn’t get it in such a thrilling way — I, too, could geek out over Sex Pistols lore for hours — that I almost don’t care.
