UK punk and politics 1975 – 84
For punks, anarchism is the abolition of all unnecessary, and unjust, hierarchies and we can begin to understand why the punk scene so wholeheartedly adopted the ideology. Anarcho-punk emerged directly from the discontent of the late 1970s and arose as both a political and musical reaction . Political reaction. In 1979, a conservative government led by Margaret Thatcher was elected offering new hope for the future. When socio-economic conditions failed to improve, many began to doubt the entire system, rather than any single political party. The idea of abolishing the system altogether appealed to large portions of the punk scene. At the same time, the Thatcher administration poured funds into military and police forces and backed US foreign policy (‘Cold War Standoff’). 9 Cuts were made to the social wage and incr easing numbers were ‘going on the dole’ as job losses accelerated. At the same time, the increasing presence of a ‘Nazi fringe’ and other far right movements in became of utmost concern to many punks. Anarchism opposes all unjust hierarchies and is inherently anti-racist and anti-fascist. Thus, anarchism was appealing to many people disgusted by the rise of the far-right. Musical reaction. Punks were also pushed towards anarchism by stagnation within the punk music scene itself. Many were unhappy with the mindless nihilism of the scene. By 1977, some felt the scene to be ‘politically sterile’ and ‘unambitious’. 10 This contributed significantly to the birth of anarcho- punk, as many felt inspired to act through direct action. Many also felt that by 1977, punk had been co- opted by the ‘establishment’. In January 1977, ‘The Clash’ signed a £100,000 record deal with CBS. 11 This was a betrayal of the punk ethos. Cross speaks of how every aspect of the movement had become profit-orientated, from the rise of punk rock ‘designer labels’ to endless lucrative record deals. Punk was becoming exactly what it set out to protest against! The song ‘Punk is Dead’ by Crass, released in 1977, summarized discontent many punks felt with the state of the London scene. 12 This song, clearly calls out the Clash for their record deal with CBS as well as the growing focus on fashion, rather than the original DIY ethics promoted at the birth of the movement.
Yes that’s right, Punk is dead It’s just another cheap product for the consumers head Bubblegum rock on plastic transistors Schoolboy sedition backed by big-time promoters CBS promote the Clash Ain’t for revolution, it’s just for cash Punk became a fashion just like hippy used to be Ain’t got a thing to do with you or me’
Punk is Dead, Crass, 1977
9 Cross 2010, sec. 1, para. 2. 10 Ibid. sec. 5, para. 2. 11 Ibid. sec. 2, para. 7. 12 Crass. Punk Is Dead , Crass Records, 29 October 1978.
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