The Pop Punk Rock Genre

The New York Dolls, MC5 and The Velvet Underground are seen as the original punk artists. The Ramones are seen to be the beginning of modern pop punk music which was influenced by bands such as The Sex Pistols, The Damned, and other English bands. The music style didn’t attract a big audience to start with because it rejected mainstream culture and was associated to many as being disillusioned and rebellious which was destroying the mentality of the youth.

A typical song is around 3 and a half minutes long, including heavy and simplistic guitars, martial rhythms, and droll vocals. Classic punk lyrics were often challenging the government, about crime, poverty and other social problems. Whereas current pop punk artists usually sing about real life light hearted teenage lifestyle topics such as teen romance, having fun and growing up. Depending on the artist they sometime sing about drink and drugs. The Ramones and the Sex Pistols songs were full of anger, whereas Greenday, Blink182 and Paramore are more light hearted but still full of the same amount of energy and attitude which isn’t seen in any of the other music genres. Many American bands developed a sound which included more complex, extended guitar jams more suited to stadium rock. The genre is still developing, and a broad range of sounds have already developed in just the previous 40 years from the original punk genre, which has created pop punk and punk rock. The singers voices can sometimes sound as though they are shouting the lyrics when trying to communicate strong emotion. Also singing at the top of their vocal range and even with an American accent (be them American or not) is popular. But also includes much cleaner vocals.

Electric bass guitars and drums are often used to keep the fast rhythm and high tempo, and being quite dominating but simple. They are both there to compliment the electric lead guitar and vocals which are a key feature of the pop punk rock genre, and any other instrument which the band decide to have in their songs such as keyboard or trumpets, and keeps the melody memorable for the audience. Lead guitars or drum solos are quite common, although complicated solos can be seen as unnecessary. The guitars usually have a big impact on the emotion of the song and whether it makes the audience feel happy and full of energy or sad.

The main appeal of pop punk rock is that it gave the audience music with lyrics about topics which that they could relate to and identify themselves with. It now attracts more than just its original teenage ‘punk’ fans, as its known for its catchy melodies, fast tempos and memorable lyrics. Today’s teenagers have also grown up through its development and limelight in the media. Fashion has had a big impact on its appeal to the audience, and has developed throughout time, but the high impact noticeable style has not changed. A lot of colours, usually mismatched are common. Artists and fans also have piercings’, dyed hair and wear jewellery and hats. Typically in a music video the artist will wear t-shirt, skinny jeans or chinos, and trainers. But the colour and design would give them their individual identity. Fans usually try to replicate theur favourite bands fashion style by buying the same or similar clothes and accessories to what they wear in their videos, photos, performances, etc. Popular punk pop rock culture c,lothing brands include Famous Stars & Straps and Converse.