How to Be a Punk

Steps

Fashion

1. Realize that it's what's inside that counts. It's the rowdy attitude and personality that makes a punk, however many punks display this with their styles. There are several options to do this.
2. Get yourself some leather, denim, leopard print, plaid, stripes, tartan and army/camo materials, as these are the staples of the punk wardrobe.
   
   • 
     
     
     
     These leather, flight or denim jackets/vests can be filled with safety
     pins, band patches and or metal studs& spikes, which are popular
     among the lion's share of punks. A majority of leather jackets have the
     backs painted with band names, and signs like the 'Anarchy'
     Symbol but unless you have real anarchist feelings to back this up stay
     away from it, you'll only get your ass kicked, and the money symbol
     ($/£) Vegans don't have to worry though, rather than wearing leather
     Pleather can be substituted for the jacket material. Look up pictures
     of old-school Sid Vicious.
   
   
3. Pants with zippers sewn up to back of the legs are also a key trademark of the punk scene.
   
   
   
4. Wear a plain band t-shirt if you like. This will be perfectly
   acceptable for the men. You can customize some of the shirts or jackets
   you buy. Maybe by cutting off the sleeves, sewing patches on, or just
   cutting the neckline, or back differently. If you wear a band t-shirt,
   make sure you've actually heard the band before! Otherwise, you'll end
   up looking like a fool if someone tries to draw you into conversation
   about the band. DIY-shirts are quite popular among the punk crowd along
   with plaid or leopard print skirts and anything with fishnets.
   
   • Acceptable accessories can include arm warmers, studded belts, bullet belts, and wristbands with pyramid studs, stars or spikes.
   
   
5. Stay away from shoe brands; that is a given, as commercialism and
   materialism are generally frowned upon by punks. Popular choices for
   footwear among punks would be army surplus boots, Dr. Martens, Converse (note: this is now owned by Nike, and is boycotted by some Punk scenes), and some skate shoes
   like Draven and T.U.Ks are acceptable. There have been some punks
   who've frowned upon skate shoes, though. Remember that shoes can also
   lend clues to what type of punk you might identify with: crust,
   glam-punk, rockabilly, Ska-punk, straight edge, skinhead, skater punk, pop punk, goth
   punk, bubblegum punk. Most men's shoes would also be good for women,
   but the female gender can also include pumps, cowboy boots, and
   Mary-Janes. Also, never get shoes just because you think they look
   punk. Since you will almost invariably be walking alot, find a pair
   that are comfortable and will last for at least a year, this is where
   combat boots come into play.
6. Get the hairstyle. Be creative!
   
   • 
     
     
     
     Both males and
     
     
     

     
     

     
     

     

     
     

     
     

     
     
     
     females can sport a mohawk, and (though a primarily 'guy' hairstyle) some girls can pull off a Devilock nicely. You might want a fanned Mohawk, Bihawk, Trihawk, "bitch" handles, or even liberty spikes.
   • If you're worried about fitting into a conservative work situation,
     there's always the 'Fauxhawk' (a wider strip of stand up hair that can
     be combed down to hide the shaved sides of your head.) Still, this
     style is generally frowned upon since the look can adapt to the
     mainstream so well.
   • Although it is most common for punks to have hair no longer than chin length, long hair is acceptable if you want to be a punk.
   • Having random things, such as feathers, beads and ties in your hair also makes you stand out. Try different colors, random flicks/curls, bits spiked up... try things out!
   • There has also been a variety of 80s haircuts and even dreadlocks that have made appearances in this subculture! Any color of hair could be used. Women, teased hair is very popular when layered.
   
   
7. Try dyeing hair blonde with black tips or adding other colors. The Chelsea haircut is also very popular for women. For those more into Horror punk (Grave 45, The Misfits, Danzig, etc.), try a devilock or (for girls) a Batcave.
   
   • If you don't want to hassle with complicated hairstyles, shave your
     head . This has always been a classic Punk look, and can be used for
     both men and women.
   
   
8. Use bright colours for makeup. Clashing neon pinks, greens, and oranges can be used for mascara and eyeshadow. It is a good idea to take the time to master liquid eyeliner for the results will look much more professional. Don't be afraid to shave off your eyebrows,
   assuming you know how to draw them well. Look everywhere for
   inspiration. Don't worry if your makeup could feel just as home in the goth/cyber/scene lifestyle. If you have the music, attitude, look: Why feel weird?
9. Get some piercings; getting piercings and tattoos is another outlet that punks use to identify themselves. You will see many punks with their ears "gauged," with rings, often to quite large sizes. Septum and lip piercings are predominant in both sexes.
   
   • When you get a piercing, make sure that it accents key features on your face or body.
   • With tattoos
     you will see a wide variety of images. A lot of punks sport their
     favorite band logos, or have spiderwebs on their elbows (please be
     aware that in the UK at least, spiderwebs on the elbow signify that you
     have been in prison). Old school style tattoos (Sailor Jerry, for
     example) are also very popular, especially for chest pieces and
     sleeves. Just remember whatever tattoo you choose, it will be there
     forever! Make sure that you choose something that reflects your
     personality, not just a current band that you like!
   
   
10. Avoid going from preppy to punk in one step. It's best if you ease into being punk or you may appear like a poser.

People

1. Get to know other men and women who have the same beliefs/styles.
2. Go to some concerts to dance or meet people, find the local club where all the punks meet. These can readily be found nowadays on myspaceand similar sites, but if all else fails, ask another punk on the street when the next gig is.
3. 
   
   
   
   Don't be afraid to tell somebody that you're new to all of this, as they were once as well and will probably understand.
4. Join a punk online community. Here you can meet other punks world
   wide. Trade mp3s, find shows or discover new bands. MySpace.com has a
   lot of punk members. Also, PunkRockers.com.

Music

1. Be sure to see a punk band live. It is a large part of being a
   punk. The energy is amazing. You do not have to get in the mosh pit but
   it is fun to watch. Play safe and have fun.
2. Familiarize yourself with the music; There are many different types
   of Punk music, and it is important to remember that not every punk
   listens to every band here. A lot of Punks focus on one era of this
   music genre as the style of music has radically changed over time. This
   is a list of each era of Punk music, and some bands that influenced it.

• ? & The Mysterians
• The Dictators
• Electric Eels
• Iggy Pop & The Stooges
• MC5
• The Modern Lovers
• New York Dolls
• Patti Smith
• The Velvet Underground
• The Who

• 999
• The Addicts
• The Adverts
• The Allarm
• The Buzzcocks
• The Clash
• The Cramps
• The Damned
• The Dead Boys
• Generation X
• The Heartbreakers
• The Macc Lads
• The Ramones
• The Misfits
• Richard Hell and The Voidoids
• The Ruts
• The Saints
• The Sex Pistols
• Sham 69
• Stiff Little Fingers
• The Stranglers
• Television
• The Vibrators
• X-Ray Spex

• The Cure
• The Fall
• Gang Of Four
• Joy Division
• Magazine
• Public Image Ltd.
• Wire

• Abrasive Wheels
• Adolescents
• Articles Of Faith
• Bad Brains
• Bad Religion
• Battalion Of Saints
• Black Flag
• Broken Bones
• The Circle Jerks
• D.O.A.
• D.R.I.
• Dead Kennedys
• The Exploited
• Fugazi
• GBH
• The Germs
• Government Issue
• MDC
• Midget Handjob
• Minor Threat
• Negative Approach
• Redd Kross
• Social Distortion
• Suicidal Tendencies
• TSOL
• Void
• Zero Boys
• Millions of Dead Cops

• Amebix
• Antischism
• Antisect
• A.P.P.L.E.
• Aus-Rotten
• Choking Victim
• Conflict
• Crass
• Discharge
• Doom
• Dystopia
• Flux Of Pink Indians
• His Hero is Gone
• Logical Nonsense
• Prodigy
• The Misfits
• The Mob
• Nausea
• No-Cash
• Oi Polloi
• Rudimentary Peni
• Samhain
• The Skuds
• Spazz
• Subhumans
• TSOL
• Zounds

• Against Me
• Anti-flag
• The Casualties
• Die Huns
• Dropkick Murphys
• Evan and the Black Kids
• (Pre-Dookie) Green Day
• Grimple
• Jack Acid
• Monster X
• Naked Agression
• NoFX
• The Offspring
• Rancid
• Screeching Weasel
• The Suicide Machines
• The US Bombs
• The Unseen
• The US Bombs

• The Active Elements
• Alkaline Trio
• Amber Pacific
• Be Your Own Pet
• Blink-182
• The Definition
• The Exploding Hearts
• Green Day (though Post-Dookie Green Day is more correctly Happy Punk)
• Good Charlotte (following up the Green Day statement, they became
  more mainstream with their album "Good Morning Revival", and a lot of
  GC fans that ARE punk are boycotting it)
• The Living End
• Mr. T Experience
• The Queers
• Riverdales
• Sink Ohio Sink
• Sum 41
• Tiger Army
• Tone Rush
• The Unseen

[edit] Tips

• Never be afraid of what people might think .
• Don't Watch Tv , It's all mainstream media and part of the
  capitalism machine . Tv promotes the Idea that " Passion should have a
  Price" and "The More You Sell the better regardless of the Product".
  Also, Tv News is thrown in your face on a daily basis to distract and
  blind you of the real news. For instance how The Federal Reserve and
  IMF/world bank steal and deprive the public of money and intelligence.
• The difference between being a poser and a true punk is that a
  poser is always worried about how punk they are. Just do what you want.
• If anything , check out DIY things like Terrorism Tv or Team Spider.
  (These Programs are made non- profit and show grand ways to enjoy
  yourself without being part of the Corporate System.) Or Make your own
  (because if you think watching it is fun, Try making it :) )
• Remember, if you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything.
• Go with what you think is Punk. Be an individual.
  This is the whole point of being a Punk. If you want long hair, keep it
  long. If you have a Kelly Clarkson album next to the Misfits one be
  proud. The biggest part of punk is the beliefs. Even Johnny Rotten has
  been quoted saying modern punks are "clothes hangers". Remember that
  it's not about what you wear but who you are. That's what matters most.
• Not all punks hate the government, but rebellion
  is key. Don't have stupid values like "I hate cops, they always catch
  us breaking the rules" and "Why can't we all shoplift? The stores have
  enough dough anyway!" Though you may or may not agree with them, don't
  do it just because "it's punk". Punks want freedom and fairness.
• If you're a girl, black and red/pink/yellow stripes are a good
  choice of colour to wear if you want to think about the fashion aspect.
• Respect your elders, if they deserve respect. If someone comes up
  to you in a suit and tie and tells you that they like your Misfits
  shirt, be cool
  and ask them if they are a fan. For all you know, they actually saw
  them play live in the 70s when the punk scene first started and they
  may have some great war stories, or even better, some band suggestions
  that you would never have heard about.Remember that while you may be
  lucky enough to wear your beliefs/culture/values on your sleeve, we
  *all* have to find a way to interact with society at large. That guy in
  a suit may very well have a Misfits shirt of their own on under their
  shirt and tie! Just because the guy at Meat-Product-On-A-Stick looks
  like a dork in his little striped fez doesn't mean he doesn't go home and totally rock out
  to the punk records he blows her minimum wage money on! Or maybe that
  nerdy kid in the private school just combs her hair straight and
  dresses nice because she's forced to. He may as well be a punk as long
  as he as the attitude.
• Though most punks won't throw down for no reason, it is a good idea to know how to deal with violence, as it often shows up at punk shows. It is a good idea to start at local shows because they can get you used to moshing as well as occasionally get some pretty good punk bands.
• Just because you are punk doesn't mean punk is your only music. Branch out to other things like Rockabilly, hard rock, ska, psychobilly, and heavy metal
  (remember you may be rejected if you admit to listening to music not
  considered "punk enough" by some, but this is a losing proposition.
  Fans of any number of the bands listed above would consider others
  listed as lame and vice versa; listen to whatever you want but be aware
  that claiming anything too mainstream, whether that artist is
  considered punk or not could be a social faux pas)
• If you weren't punk before, people might freak out a little. Be nice,
  though. And don't say goodbye to your old friends and step into a new
  crowd. The "make new friends, keep the old" rule pretty much stands for
  everyone.
• Dumb punk is unattractive; smart punk is brilliant. Know your grammar, spelling, history, geography,
  etc. and you will bust some people's stereotypes of what punk is! Punk
  is an ever growing, evolving community. Don't "dumb yourself down" for
  anyone. There are smart, cool punks everywhere and if the first ones
  you meet are jerks, accept that jerks are everywhere, don't be/act like
  them because they are a part of something that that you want to be a
  part of. They represent the lowest common denominator of a greater
  whole and better role models are out there
• If you are already considered a conformist and you decide to take
  up the punk style, keep in mind that dressing up in the same hot topic
  shirt every day and refusing to wear anything else doesn't make you a
  punk. Nor does doing that, and writing "I'm Ashley the Punk Rocker
  Girl!!!!! ANARCHY!" all over your myspace doesn't make you a punk
  either. That automatically labels you as a wannabe, and you still
  haven't gotten out of conformity yet, so make sure you have true punk
  feelings and don't just want to be one to look rebellious or something.

• Don't think you know better than anyone. There is someone that will always know more.
• Everybody goes through changes. Just be yourself, whatever that is, and let others be themselves, too.
• If your parents or guardians disagree with your punk beliefs, etc.,
  listen to them, and explain to them what you believe. Consider their
  point of view. Your mom may have a strong reaction to your newly dyed blue hair
  because the color you were born with is the color she gave you and it's
  hard for her to watch you grow up. Parents/teachers/bosses/etc. may be
  threatened by punk aesthetics because they don't understand them.
  Consider yourself an ambassador to a community, but consider that it is
  much more shocking/rebellious/subversive to say please, thank you and
  turn in your homework
  on time even though you don't "look like the type" than it is to live
  up to the stereotype that mainstream media would like everyone to think
  that punk rock is all about.
• If you're going to abuse the punk movement and use it only for it's
  fashion, then forget it. No one, including hardened punks, will believe
  you.
• Punk rock means a lot of things to a lot of people. There are
  people who think that all of corporate America is evil, and those who
  buy their punk gear from the mall at Hot Topic. Always be respectful;
  that "mall punk" might just be the next revolutionary activist
  and that "old foggy" with their obscure 30 year old patches might have
  a thing to teach you. Always listen to whoever and if you disagree,
  present your argument in a way that accepts that others have a right to
  their point of view, even if you don't agree with it.
• Remember, gradually make your way into punk, if you just come out
  of you house one day looking like the punks on the street corner,
  people will definitely know your a poseur.
• Don't try to be the Punk Police. Punk is a state of mind and it can be what you want it to be!
• Remember, GREEN DAY IS NOT NECESSARILY PUNK. Early on, yes but they
  conformed and now if you ask anyone who Billie Joe Armstrong is, they
  can give you a full read up on how much they think he's hot, she likes
  "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), etc.
• It doesn't necessarily have all to do with how you dress or what
  you listen; it's a way of mind, often accompanied by expressive music
  and clothing.