ContentsIntroduction by Marc Bayard Preface by the author Why Punk: Background comparisons with previous art movements; some defining characteristi...
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Aug 11, 2010
Michael
rated it: 
In The Philosophy of Punk, Craig O'Hara draws from numerous punk bands and writings by punks to outline a general philosophy of punk aesthetic, ethics, and activism. He is clear to articulate that he is discussing a certain "brand" (my word) of punk rock: not generic, more consumption-oriented punk, but rather the more "authentic" punk of the late 70s and early 80s. This punk, he argues, was importantly about "tak[ing:] on responsibility" (39). While punk music invo
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Mar 06, 2009
Marshall
rated it: 
Punk rock is more than a music style. It's a subculture, community, fashion, and philosophy. I've always felt a kindred spirit with punks, but never actually knew much about them. They seemed to stand for the same things I believed in, albeit noticeably more radical. So it was good to read a book that spelled it all out.
Insofar as punk rock, a totally disorganized movement, can be considered to have a philosophy, this book describes its elements: anarchism, radical feminism, eco- More...
Insofar as punk rock, a totally disorganized movement, can be considered to have a philosophy, this book describes its elements: anarchism, radical feminism, eco- More...
Apr 09, 2008
Dylan
rated it:
This book could have been much better. The author, was in the punk rock scene in D.C. since the eighties, certainly brought a good deal of first-hand knowledge to the subject, but his writing skills are poorly developed. The book was originally published as photocopied pages that were staple bound, and it was eventually published by AK Press, a major radical publisher. The writing is not really publishable, in my opinion, however.
Of course, in keeping with the punk rock tradition, th More...
Of course, in keeping with the punk rock tradition, th More...
Mar 11, 2008
Justin
rated it: 
I "found punk" when I was about thirteen, or over twenty years ago. As a result, I've found myself reading a truckload of books on the subject, some fairly lame, some fairly insightful.
Craig O'Hara's The Philosophy Of Punk is one of the good ones. Covering all sorts of punk related topics from activism to racism to the Do It Yourself method of life, O'Hara does a fine job of examining where punk's been and where it's at now. Where it's going is anybody's guess. His task More...
Craig O'Hara's The Philosophy Of Punk is one of the good ones. Covering all sorts of punk related topics from activism to racism to the Do It Yourself method of life, O'Hara does a fine job of examining where punk's been and where it's at now. Where it's going is anybody's guess. His task More...
Aug 31, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I feel somewhat bad ripping on this, because it is an interesting topic, and it was initially a photocopied, self-published labor of love, not a professionally edited and produced book. But the writing was just painfully bad throughout. The author also makes a lot of tendentious statements about how "no real punk believes x" that irked. Again, maybe I'm applying overly academic/professionalized standards to a work that wasn't intended as such. But overall it was just an irritating read
Jan 09, 2012
Scott
rated it:
Less proselytizing and more punk please. This book might be more useful to an outsider of politically-oriented diy/punk/(whatever social milieu you want to apply) but I felt like I was reading a primer.
May 31, 2010
Tamara
rated it: 
Why Punk: Background comparisons with previous art movements; some defining characteristics of punk.
Media Misrepresentations: How television, glossy magazines, and mindless mass media have done their best to defang the beast.
Anarchism: An alternative to existing systems. What it is and why it is
embraced by punks all over the world.
Gender Issues: Sexism, feminism and open homosexuality.
Environmentalism and Ecological Concerns: The idea More...
Feb 13, 2008
Rob
rated it:
This is a pretty good overview of punk rock.
Apparently, they taught a course from this book at Stanford for a few semesters. It gives you a history as well as some of the psychology behind modern punk. I read it in a few sittings and loaned it out since then several times as well.
runs all the way from the start 1967 to the summer of '77 to glam to hardcore to modern pop punk, crust and anarcho punk to emo and indie touching on all sub-cultures in between.
It wo More...
Apparently, they taught a course from this book at Stanford for a few semesters. It gives you a history as well as some of the psychology behind modern punk. I read it in a few sittings and loaned it out since then several times as well.
runs all the way from the start 1967 to the summer of '77 to glam to hardcore to modern pop punk, crust and anarcho punk to emo and indie touching on all sub-cultures in between.
It wo More...
Jun 01, 2009
Christine
rated it:
I'm reading this to help one of my students who is writing a paper on it. It's intersting, but I've been over "punk" since I was 22.
Apr 24, 2011
abclaret
rated it:
Does exactly what it sets out to do; examining in detail some of the punk subcultures, such as, anarcho-punk, queer-core, straight-edge etc.. Gives you an exhaustive list of bands for you to wet your appetite and gives the Oi! and straight-edge scene a much needed critique.
Mar 31, 2008
I bought this from a table at an Ill Scarlett show benefiting World Vision. Overall, it was a very interesting look at the history of punk, as well as its place both in the larger culture, as well as in history. While there are some parts of what O'Hara discusses that I disagree with (anarchism, for example), it's an undoubtedly important part of punk history and culture.
Mar 06, 2007
Jack
rated it:
This reads more like a quick history of punk than digging through the philosophical and social underpinnings of punk and the associated music. Nevertheless, it was an informative read and it did offer some insights into the movement(s) in the sixties and seventies up to the advent of hardcore.
Mmm... hardcore.
Mmm... hardcore.
Jan 29, 2008
Magdalene
rated it:
It helps define punk, not as it is defined today (thank god). Fo rthose who are truly interested in understanding what it is and not wanting to take what they see in popular media as the truth. A very good quick informative read.
Aug 23, 2008
Alfonso
rated it:
One person's opinion of what punk is. It's pretty dogmatic, but then again so is the punk scene since around the time the Dead Kennedys and Crass shuffled off to Buffalo. Doesn't embrace alternate views of punk rock.
Sep 15, 2008
Ryan
rated it:
Perhaps too short a book for the topic and "Of Political Punk" might be more accurate. It is a good introduction to political punk, if a little rosy glasses and all that.
Apr 07, 2008
Mita
rated it:
Duh sbenernya sudah cukup lama sekali baca buku ini, potocopian pula hehehehehe...
It's always fun to see n' know something 'different' and it really happen...
It's always fun to see n' know something 'different' and it really happen...
Feb 13, 2008
Alyssa
rated it:
If your punk, were, or are just curious, this is good reads - i do recommend.
Feb 11, 2012
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