Performed through music, punk rock is an in-your-face attitude all about saying “no” to conformity, being authentic, and raging while you still have breath to give.

Punk rock hit the world in the late 1960s. In the United States, the Stooges, MC5, and the New York Dolls set the foundation for the genre – fast-paced, raw and aggressive guitar riffs, simple chord progressions, and brilliant, clever lyrics that tackled themes of alienation, social dissatisfaction, and nonconformity. Across the pond, the movement was influenced by the economic and social unrest of the time. Bands like the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Damned became icons of the British punk scene. They embraced a more politically charged approach, addressing issues such as unemployment, class struggles, and disillusionment with the establishment.

In the past, punk rock venues have served as the birthplace for raw energy, rebellion, and counter-cultural movements. These venues laid the groundwork for allowing stages to be a place of complete individual expression, paving the way for future generations. Many venues have been lost throughout the years, others still carry the torch and are home to musicians, communities, and – my favorite – misfits.

Patti Smith

To me, punk rock is the freedom to create, freedom to be successful, freedom to not be successful, freedom to be who you are. It’s freedom.