Where the music be at?

So you may be thinking, "If this is a 'punk rock mommy' blog, wheres the music? You say you're punk so music it up!"

Like I said before, I think punk is an attitude, but punk just wouldn't be what it is without the music!

Here is a great site called True Punk that has news, reviews, and interviews of and with punk bands from today and the days of yore. ;)

One interpretation of the punk rock philosophy can be found here. (It's from wikipedia, so take it with a grain of salt. I believe that attitudes and philosophies are always adapting and changing. So I really think it's up to the individual to decide what punk means to them.)

And here are some pretty neat-o quotes from musicians about punk and punk's perception these days and older days:

Even though we're not the most punk rock band, the way we've done things is pretty punk rock. Just kinda say it with a big middle finger to the record labels and do it ourselves.
Brandon Thomas

I can play punk rock, and I love playing punk rock, but I was into every other style of music before I played punk rock.
Travis Barker

I come from the home-grown punk ethic, where it doesn't matter if you can't play a note, it's how you communicate.
Siobhan Fahey

I've always been spiritual but I've never had a proper context, and it took me awhile to find the proper context. It's hard to realize you can have any kind of relationship with God you want... and so I now have a punk rock relationship with God.
Billy Corgan

It's all magic to me. Country to punk rock, all of it. Chopin to Kurt Cobain. But it always all comes back to punk for me, because that was the last time, punk rock or grunge rock, was the last time that passion ruled the airwaves.
James Marsters

Mozart was a punk, which people seem to forget. He was a naughty, naughty boy.
Shirley Manson

Punk has always been about doing things your own way. What it represents for me is ultimate freedom and a sense of individuality.
Billie Joe Armstrong

Punk is musical freedom. It's saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster's terms, 'nirvana' means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that's pretty close to my definition of Punk Rock.
Kurt Cobain

Punk is not really a style of music. It was more like a state of mind.
Mike Watt

Some of my favorite bands range from the not-punk-at-all (Band of Horses) to pretty traditional punk (Minor Threat), from bubble gum (MxPx) to Oi (Dropkick Murphys), and from big-name-radio-friendly punk (Blink 182) to who-in-the-heck-is-this (Spud Gun)? I like my punk in all shapes and sizes, and plenty of other styles, too (rockabilly, grunge, Ben Folds Five-esque, etc).

And let me just say I'm not a music snob. I respect your choice to like what you like, even though I might think it's crap. I won't shove my opinion in your face, cause there's a pretty good chance you think a lot of what I listen to is crap. And I think music snobs are just so obnoxiously fake. Like, "Hey! Look at me! Look at all these weird, unknown bands I listen to! And here's a pic of me with Mr. Random McGuitarguy hanging BACKSTAGE at SXSW! Woah! I rock!"
LAME is all I have to say about that. :D And don't get me started on the ridiculous micro organizing of music genres these days! Also stupid.

So now I ask you dear punk ladies (and gents if you're out there :)) - What are your favorite bands, songs, and/ or thoughts about punk these days?

Neo Punk Rockers

Banksy image from irishstreetart.com

Like I said in my 'about me' section, I believe that being punk rock is more of a state of mind, not necessarily how you look, although your style can be a great form of self expression.

I identify with punk rock because I feel I have views and feelings that flow against the popular opinion of the tide of our government and views about true morality that may make fellow Jesus followers look at me in shock! And because of this, I want to help and change what I see as group thought in politics and religion. And those are just two examples.

Of course the music and fun style doesn't hurt either :) Although I think most would categorize me as bubble gum or pin up or rockabilly in my stylings. Which is fine with me, cause those styles really rev my motor :)

Anyhoo... I think the real punks of this day and age aren't necessarily the kids walking around with ironed and glued mohawks, but those that see the real problems in our society today and aren't afraid to rage against them. And not just because your favorite band tells you to.

A few of my favorite non-traditional neo punks would have to be Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. They wear suits and are pretty 'professional' on their respective shows, not easily identifiable as 'punk.' And even though I don't agree with some of their views, I applaud their outrage at injustices they see going on around them and they aren't afraid of the repercussions that may occur from speaking out about them. I also love the imaginary debates I have with them when I don't agree. (Hearing voices much? LOL!) I want to have that same passion, and I feel it is growing stronger in me daily. So watch out! You may find a rant blog on here soon ;)

Of course I may be biased with Colbert since we are both from SC. SC represent! Woot! (I would have voted for you Stephen! :P)

And I can't forget to mention the South Park guys- Trey Parker and Matt Stone. In recent seasons of their show, their social commentary has been so spot on. I love it! And they continue on despite death threats they receive! I desire that determination to change my world.

So who are some of your favorite non-traditional or neo punks of this age?

Hello all you gorgeous punky moms!

I originally purchased the 'www.thepunkrockmom.com' domain (which I still own and am developing. That will one day be my main blogging site.) when I was pregnant with my first son in 2007.
I was still pretty young and REALLY freaked out about the prospect of becoming a mom. In my mind, I kept hearing "You are now a mom. All previous identities will cease to exist. You can now be nothing but a mom." This completely devastated me. I wanted to be a great mom, but I wanted to keep my identity, too.

So I sought out other punky or rock and roll moms online, certain there would be plenty out there to set my mind at rest; that you CAN be a mom and still keep your self.

However, I didn't find too many resources. There were a few blogs and a forum, but not the out pouring of punky support I was looking for. So I decided I would start a site to supplement what was already there. However, as life began to evolve, the plans to develop and launch my site quickly got set on the back burner. I'm sure all you moms know what I'm talking about as far as plans and kids go. ;)

I was disheartened to find plenty of places where moms were saying that they gave it all up and were now 100% mom, their old identity be dammed. Which I totally respect if that is the path you chose. It just wasn't what I felt like was for me.

So now I am in a place where I have the time and energy to finally bust out all of these ideas and stories that have been rambling around in my head!

And if you're a punky lady who is going to have a baby soon or has had one and is looking for a place to go and be lifted up and have your mommyhood and rocker-ness celebrated, you found the right place! But like I said, ALL mommies are welcome, no matter what path they may be on.

<3tprm

*Note*
Since I began searching for punky moms online in 2007, I have found that several great blogs have popped up and I want to share the links to those as well:


* Punk Rock Mommy This is a very inspirational and touching site of a punk rock mommy who lost her life too early to inflammatory breast cancer or IBC. The site is still up and even though they no longer update it, I encourage you to read it. It is beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. (Please remember to get regular breast exams so we'll stop losing mommies to this vicious disease!)

* Punk Rock Parents

* Diary of a Punk Rock Mama

* Punk Rock Momma

* Mommy Blogs (You can find punky moms and their blogs here.)

* Punky Moms (This is kind of a blog/ forum combo for punky moms. I found this forum during my search in 2007. Great site!)

There are a ton of other great punky mom sites out there! Let me know what your favorite punky or non-punky mommy blog is!