Post punk

How Post-Punk Saved Punk Rock
YouTube · Jukebox History

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hv_MOAhNvs0&si=DZKOtT_1CAyYLfsu

Post-punk 1975-1995: a period of innovation and influence

Post-punk emerged in the late 1970s, evolving from punk rock and extending into the mid-1990s as a significant influence on alternative and indie music. This period witnessed artists experimenting with a broader range of musical styles, embracing avant-garde sensibilities, and challenging rock clichés. 

Key characteristics

• Expanded sonic palette: Post-punk moved beyond the raw simplicity of punk, incorporating diverse influences like Krautrock, dub, funk, electronic music, and jazz.
• DIY ethos and experimentation: While inspired by punk's energy and DIY ethic, artists pushed boundaries in song structures, rhythms, vocal performances, and guitar playing.
• Darker and introspective themes: Lyrical content often explored themes of alienation, repression, and the technocracy of Western modernity, departing from the directness of punk.
• Independent spirit: Post-punk fostered the growth of independent record labels and fanzines, facilitating a diverse musical output and anti-corporate sentiments. 

Noteworthy bands and albums

The period between 1975 and 1995 saw the rise of numerous influential post-punk bands, including:

• Joy Division: Considered pioneers of the genre, known for their dark and melancholic sound.
• Siouxsie and the Banshees: Emphasized darker lyrical themes and played a key role in the development of gothic rock.
• Public Image Ltd: Known for their experimental approach and confrontational style.
• Gang of Four: Explored funk rhythms and political themes, influencing generations of musicians.
• The Cure: Evolved from a punk-influenced sound to encompass more atmospheric and pop-oriented styles.
• Talking Heads: Incorporated funk and new wave elements into their distinctive sound. 

Some influential albums from this period include:

• Television - Marquee Moon (1977)
• Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)
• Gang of Four - Entertainment! (1979)
• Public Image Ltd - Metal Box (1979)
• Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980) 

Legacy and subgenres

Post-punk laid the foundation for the development of several related genres, including:

• Gothic Rock: Emerged from the darker and more theatrical aesthetics explored by bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and Bauhaus.
• New Wave: Some post-punk artists embraced synthesizers and dance-pop elements, leading to the emergence of bands like Depeche Mode, New Order, and The Cure.
• Alternative and Indie Rock: Post-punk's embrace of experimentation and individuality heavily influenced the alternative and indie rock scenes that flourished in the 80s and 90s. 

By the mid-1980s, the initial post-punk movement had dissipated, but its influence continued to shape the musical landscape, providing a springboard for the new pop movement and the later alternative and independent genres that emerged in the 1990s and beyond.