Indie & Punk

1. Indie & Punk History of Pop Music

2. The DIY Philosophy • Punk is not strictly a type of music, it is an attitude and a philosophical approach to making music. • Indie & punk stretch across every style and genre of movement. • It boils down to one simple question: “why are you making music?” • Is it for money and fame? • Or, is it to get your voice heard? • Indie & punk revolve around the idea that major labels slow you down and destroy the creative process.

3. Origins • By the 1960s, major record labels like (Capitol, Atlantic, etc.) had a lot of power over artists. • If you did not conform to the sound that was on the radio then it was nearly impossible for you to be signed to a deal. • It did not take long for artists to rebel. Some of the early rebels include: • Frank Zappa, The Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop & the Stooges, & MC5.

4. Punk Emerges • Punk rock began to emerge in NYC during the 1970s. • Punk music became known for its raucous live shows at clubs like CBGB’s. • The music was not alike in style but shared the DIY characteristic. • The music mainly appealed to the youth at the time, especially those that did not feel comfortable in NYC’s disco scene. • The bands that were known during this time include: • The Ramones • The Talking Heads • Blondie • Patty Smith • Richard Hell & the Voidoids • Television • Suicide

5. Punk in the U.K. • Influenced by the New York style of punk, bands began to emerge throughout the U.K. • The Sex Pistols soon became the epitome of punk rock and inspired many other bands to form. • Sex Pistols became known for their crazy live shows and controversial behavior. • Spurred on by the success of the Sex Pistols, the Clash started to also gain prominence in the U.K. • Other bands from this era include: • Siouxsie & the Banshees • Joy Division • The Damned • Buzzcocks

6. Hardcore • In the early 1980s punk developed a more hardcore sound. • Bands began to spring up in the Washington, D.C. area that would push the sound into a faster and more aggressive style. • Many of the lyrics centered around politics and the frustration of being young and powerless. • Some of the key groups during this time were: • Dead Kennedys • Black Flag • Bad Brains • Minor Threat (Straightedge movement) • Husker Du

7. The Emergence of Indie • Punk rock left a legacy of going against major labels. • Many bands and artists were inspired by this legacy and began to make music without the support of major labels. • The sound was different, but the attitude was the same. • Some important early indie bands include: • R.E.M. • The Smiths • The Cure • New Order • The Replacements • Pixies • Sonic Youth

8. Indie in the 1990s • Without the pressures of a major label, bands and artists on independent labels were free to make more interesting music. • Experimentation became very important and indie artists began to inspire a generation of music. • Artists include: • Radiohead • Jesus & Mary Chain • My Bloody Valentine • Blur • Belle & Sebastian • Weezer

9. Indie Today • Indie music is still a thriving movement in music. • The rising importance of the internet and social media have made it easier for artists to put there music out for everyone to hear. • Some current important indie artists include: • Bright Eyes • Arcade Fire • Yeah Yeah Yeahs • TV on the Radio • The White Stripes

10. Indie Hip Hop • Indie music is not a sound but a way of producing music. • Indie hip hop emerged in the 1990s and is still going strong. • Social media and music streaming has made it easier for hip hop artists to get their music to listeners. • Indie hip hop artists include: • Little Brother • Atmosphere • Immortal Technique • Tech9 • Odd Future • Blackalicious • MF Doom