Punk’s Not Dead

Following my own link on my last post about T(I)NC, I found a news update about the documentary Punk’s Not Dead. Apparently the band, among many others, lent some time towards the filming of this movie, and it made me interested to find out more about it. From the IMDB entry:

On the edge of the 30th anniversary of punk rock, Punk’s Not Dead takes you into the sweaty underground clubs, backyard parties, recording studios, and yes, shopping malls and stadium shows where punk rock music and culture continue to thrive. Thirty years after bands like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols infamously shocked the system with their hard, fast, status-quo-killing rock, the longest-running punk band in history is drawing bigger crowds than ever, “pop-punk” bands have found success on MTV, and kids too young to drive are forming bands that carry the torch for punk’s raw, immediate sound. Meanwhile, “punk” has become a marketing concept to sell everything from cars to vodka, and dyed hair and piercings mark a rite of passage for thousands of kids. Can the true, nonconformist punk spirit still exist in today’s corporatized culture? Featuring interviews, performances, and behind-the-scenes journeys with the bands, labels, fans, and press who keep punk alive, Punk’s Not Dead dares to juxtapose pop-punk’s music and lifestyle against the roots in the 70s and 80s, resulting in unexpected revelations. A DIY search for the soul of a subculture and a celebration of all things loud, fast, and spiked, Punk’s Not Dead shows punk is stronger and more relevant today than it’s ever been. [imdb]

Basically, I think this seeks to answer the question as to if punk has sold out. I’ve seen plenty evidence to say yes, but there is a boat load of examples to say the exact opposite. Just depends on your point of view.

Find out more on punksnotdeadthemovie.com, and check out the following preview via YouTube. I know I’d like to check it out.