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Thursday, 23 August 2012

There are many documentaries about the evolution of the punk rock genre/culture. I have watched a 'rockumentary' called Punk's Not Dead
Link to source: http://www.lovefilm.com/film/Punk's-Not-Dead/113263/?play_immediately=1
This rockumentary explores the evolution of punk-rock from provocative underground movement to mainstream pop. Featuring interviews with bands, fans and industry insiders, plus fantastic performances and behind the scenes footage.

Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock. Punk bands created fast, hard-edged music, typically with short songs, stripped-down instrumentation, and often political, anti-establishment lyrics. Punk embraces a DIY ethic; many bands self-produced recordings and distributed them through informal channels.
By late 1976, bands such as the Ramones, in New York City, and the Sex Pistols and The Clash, in London, were recognized as the vanguard of a new musical movement. The following year saw punk rock spreading around the world, and it became a major cultural phenomenon in the United Kingdom. For the most part, punk took root in local scenes that tended to reject association with the mainstream. An associated punk subculture emerged, expressing youthful rebellion and characterized by distinctive styles of clothing and adornment and a variety of anti-authoritarian ideologies.
By the beginning of the 1980s, faster, more aggressive styles such as hardcore and Oi! had become the predominant mode of punk rock. Musicians identifying with or inspired by punk also pursued a broad range of other variations, giving rise to post-punk and the alternative rock movement. By the turn of the century, pop punk had been adopted by the mainstream, as bands such as Green Day and The Offspring brought the genre widespread popularity.
Here are the top 4 punk bands as voted by MusicianForums.com punk forum users out from the list of 100 bands. Pennywise made number 75.



4
RamonesRamones

Starting out in the New York City Underground in 1975, the Ramones played fast, catchy punk rock, taking influence from the New York Dolls and the glue they sniffed. Many consider them the founders of punk and pop-punk. Their 3 chord songs were simple and catchy, everything that punk rock was supposed to be. The Ramones' first album inspired a ton of bands across the Atlantic. They released great album after great album in the 70's and continued to play into the 90's. The Ramones weren't the most talented or political band, but that didn't stop them from making some amazing music.

3
Against the GrainBad Religion

The most influential band to come out of the 80s Southern California hardcore-punk scene, Bad Religion are, very ironiclly, gods of their genre. They inspired many bands to start up their own bands, playing hardcore-punk and getting a scene started up in there area. And with the founding of Epitaph by Bad Religion's own Brett Gurewitz, these bands were able to be signed to a label that would respect their needs as musicians and would help them get their name out there. Not only were Bad Religion pioneers in their genre, but they were also proof that punks could be intelligent. With many of the members going to college, finishing college, and even getting Master's degrees. And this intelligence shows in their music, provoding points of views on religion and politics that could get any young punk thinking differently about the world around him.

2
London CallingThe Clash

The Clash were formed in 1976 when Mick Jones and Paul Simonon got Joe Strummer to quit the 101ers and join their band, soon to be known as the Clash. Their first album had Terry Chimes on drums and blended punk with rock 'n' roll and hints of ska and reggae. Topper Headon soon came in as the band's permanent drummer, and in late 1979 London Calling was released and changed punk (and all music for that matter) forever, moving away from their original sound. The Clash scored some pop hits with their fifth and final album, Combat Rock. With Joe Strummer's amazing songwriting, Mick Jones's talent as a guitarist and arranger, Paul Simonon's "screw Sid Vicious I don't want to play root notes" basslines, all supported by Headon's smooth percussion, the Clash defined and perfected punk by playing what they wanted to.

1
Fresh Fruit for Rotting VegetablesDead Kennedys

The Dead Kennedys formed in 1978 in San Francisco, CA after Jello Biafra and Klaus Flouride answered East Bay Ray's ad to start a band in a local magazine. The 3 joined together with drummer Ted and started playing hardcore-punk together in the every changing SF scene. DK is known by nearly all punk fans because of their revolutionary changes in hardcore-punk, bringing in politically charge lyrics with high quality musicianship. The Dead Kennedys changed hardcore-punk forever.

Here are some examples of music videos of these artists. Bare in mind it is hard to come across a punk rock band official music video because punk is not about becoming mainstream and being another sheep, so these songs may not be their best made.

Dead Kennedy's seem to only have distributed live videos of their concerts. So here's my favourite which contains some conventions 



Riot - The Dead Kennedy's
This video was created by a Dead Kennedy's fan in 2010 who has put clips of live performance which synchronize with the song most of the time and some real life riot clips which could've been found on the internet or taken by the creator them self. Like many punk rock video's, this video has a lot of montage editing which dominates the video. The marching of the riot control officers synchronize with the song as well which shows talent within their editing. The storyline is the love of rioting, being violent and rebelling against law enforcement.


I Fought the Law - The Clash



Los Angeles Is Burning - Bad Religion


Rock N Roll High School - The Ramones


Monday, 20 August 2012

Here are some music videos from other artists which show a very similar meaning to the point of the song Fuck Authority. These following videos have educated and inspired me since I discovered and explored the rock genre.
System of a Down - BYOB


Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd


Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine

Post-War Blues - Dan Mangan

Sugar - System of a Down

John Lennon - Imagine


Society - Pennywise


You're Wrong - NOFX
Wake Up - Rage Against the Machine




Pennywise

Source of information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennywise_(band)

Pennywise is a Californian punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California, formed in 1988. The name is derived from the monster, It, from theStephen King novel of the same title.
Between their 1991 self-titled debut and 2005's The Fuse, Pennywise had released an album every two years on Epitaph Records, a label owned byBad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. To date, the band has released ten full-length studio albums (the last being 2012's All or Nothing), one live album, two EPs and one DVD. Although their first two studio albums were critically acclaimed, Pennywise would not experience worldwide commercial success until the 1995 release of their third studio album, About Time, which peaked at number ninety-six on the Billboard 200, and number fifty-five on Australia's ARIA Charts. The band's mainstream success was signified by a growing interest in punk rock during the 1990s, along with fellow California bands NOFX, Rancid, Blink-182, Bad Religion, Green Day, The Offspring and Sublime. By 2007, the band had independently sold over 3 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful independent punk acts of all time.
Pennywise's line-up, which remained constant from 1996 to 2009, consisted of Jim Lindberg (vocals), Fletcher Dragge (guitars), Randy Bradbury(bass) and Byron McMackin (drums). They had kept their original line-up together until bassist Jason Thirsk committed suicide in 1996, due to issues with his alcoholism, after which Bradbury joined as his replacement. In August 2009, Lindberg decided to leave the band; he was replaced in February 2010 by Ignite singer Zoli Téglás. This new lineup recorded their tenth studio album All or Nothing, which was released on May 1, 2012.

Band history


Early years (1988–1992)

Pennywise was formed in 1988 in Hermosa Beach, California, by singer Jim Lindberg, guitarist Fletcher Dragge, drummer Byron McMackin and bassist Jason Thirsk. They released two EPs A Word from the Wise and Wildcard (both 1989). Each of the band members had played in other bands in the Hermosa Beach area and attended Mira Costa High School except for drummer Byron McMackin who attended Redondo Union High School.
The group signed to Epitaph Records in 1990 and released their first album Pennywise (1991). The album quickly circulated throughout the punk community, earning the band some nation-wide recognition. Lyrics in the album endorsed a positive mental attitude, helping promote progressive ideals for Generation X. Lindberg left the band soon after the debut record. Bass player Randy Bradbury joined the lineup as Thirsk took over lead vocal duties. In 1992, The Vandals lead singer Dave Quackenbush took over on vocals for a brief stint. Bradbury left the band and Thirsk returned to bass.
Increasing popularity and Thirsk's death (1993–1996)
Lindberg got married and returned to the group in 1992 in time for their second album Unknown Road released in August 1993, an underground hit that established the band as a force in punk music. While the album did not chart on the Billboard 200, it gained Pennywise supporting slots on national and world tours with bands such as The Offspring (who were also not very well known at the time). It contained 13 tracks and one hidden track, "Slowdown".
By 1995, a number of punk bands, such as Bad Religion, Green Day, The Offspring, Rancid, Sublime, SNFU, NOFX, and Guttermouth had hit the mainstream and Pennywise refused invitations to join several major labels. About Time, Pennywise's third studio album, was released on June 13, 1995. It was their first album to chart on the Billboard 200, ranking 96. It also charted 55 on the Australian Album Chart, and produced one single "Same Old Story". This was also the last album to feature Jason Thirsk playing bass throughout.
In 1996, Pennywise began recording their fourth album. Thirsk left the band in an attempt to conquer his alcoholism. While initially successful, he relapsed and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest on July 29, 1996.
New bassist and continued popularity (1996–2002)
Following Thirsk's death, Bradbury rejoined the band as bassist and recorded their next album, Full Circle (1997). Despite the loss of the band's friend and bassist, the album came out several months after Thirsk's death and was dedicated in his honor. In tribute of Thirsk, the band re-recorded a song from their first album "Bro-Hymn" and renamed it "Bro-Hymn (tribute)". The album artwork of Full Circle resembles the cover art from their first album.
The band's next album Straight Ahead was released in 1999. The album reached 62 on the Billboard Top 200, and 8 on the Australian Albums Chart. The album's only single is "Alien", which reached 36 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks. An 18th track was released only in Australia, a cover of the Men at Work song "Down Under."
A live album, Live @ the Key Club was released in 2000. It contained songs from all their previous albums. Land of the Free? was released in 2001 and ranked 67 on th Billboard Top 200 and number 21 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart. The song "Who's On Your Side" was co-written by Brett Gurewitz (also known as Mr. Brett), a guitarist and song writer for Bad Religion.
From the Ashes and The Fuse (2003–2006)
From the Ashes was released on September 9, 2003 (United States), and reached number 54 on the Billboard Top 200, number 4 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and 13 Australian Albums Chart, marking the highest initial charting album in Pennywise's career. The album contained 14 tracks and retained no singles, although the song "Yesterdays" saw regular radio play on some stations.
Home Movies, the band's only video was originally released in 1995 and had been out of print since 1997. Home Movies was re-released on DVD for the first time in 2004. More footage of Pennywise can be seen on the Steve Martin film 45 Revolutions: A Slice of XVI St. Life, XVI St. being the place where Jason and Fletcher hung out in Hermosa Beach.
Pennywise on the 2007 Warped Tour.
The band's eighth album, The Fuse, was released in Europe on June 27 and in North America on August 9, 2005. The album retained 15 tracks and charted number 36 on the Australian ARIA Album Charts. The band's Australian tour was canceled leading to breakup rumors, which Lindberg denied. Also that year, digitally-remastered versions of the first four studio albums were released.
Around 2006, Pennywise recorded a cover of Sick of It All's "My Life" for the band's 2007 tribute album Our Impact Will Be Felt. Pennywise were one of many bands to contribute to the tribute.
Reason to Believe and split with Lindberg (2007–2009)
The band returned to the studio in 2007 to begin work on their ninth album, Reason to Believe which was released on March 25, 2008. The album did not do well on the Billboard chart, but this was largely because the album was offered as a free download on Myspace, where over400,000 copies were downloaded, making it one of their most successful albums. It peaked at No. 98 in the United States on the The Billboard 200, and No. 46 in Australia on the ARIA Albums Chart. Reason to Believe did retain three singles, "The Western World", "Die For You", and "One reason".
In August 2009, Jim Lindberg announced he was leaving the band. Lindberg released the following statement:
“After 20 years, nine albums and thousands of shows around the world, my time in Pennywise has come to an end. Being the singer for this band has been an amazing experience, and along the way we made some of the best fans anyone could ask for. I want to express my deepest thanks to all of you for sticking with us over the years, especially through the passing of Jason years ago. It's your support and encouragement that kept me going this long. There are few things that made me more proud than seeing people at our shows singing our songs. I would also sincerely like to thank everyone who helped us along the way, in every capacity, we never could have done it without you, and I wish everyone in the Pennywise family the best of luck and continued success. Yours truly, Jim.
By the time Lindberg left the group, Pennywise had begun writing new material for a tenth studio album.
Pennywise in 2011 with Lindberg's replacement Zoli Téglás 
Zoli Téglás, frontman for OC hardcore/punk band Ignite, previously filled in on vocals during the band’s set on the 2009 Smokeout Festival, while Lindberg was filming a documentary based on his book, Punk Rock Dad: No Rules, Just Real Life.
In September 2009, BYO Records released a compilation entitled "Let Them Know – The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records" including Pennywise's cover of "We're Gonna Fight", by 7 Seconds. This was the final song Jim recorded with Pennywise; he is now in The Black Pacific.
It was announced on February 16, 2010 that Téglás would become Jim's permanent replacement. In an interview with Zoli, he talked about his joining Pennywise and plans for a brand new Pennywise album. Zoli and the Pennywise gang are already writing a new Pennywise album from scratch with no Jim influence. Ignite will continue on as a band with Zoli. However, the release of their new album was delayed, partly due to commitments with 2010's Warped Tour. Guitarist Fletcher Dragge said in a July 2010 that it would be released around the beginning of 2011. The album's release date has since been pushed back again. On October 19, 2011, Pennywise announced on their Twitter page that they had begun work on their new album. On March 7, 2012, the band released the song "All or Nothing" from the album with the same title on KROQ's website.
Pennywise did a six-date South American tour in December 2010. After that, they toured Europe in January and February 2011, followed by Australia's Soundwave in February and March and three live dates in Japan in April.
Style and influences
Pennywise's style is mostly made up of punk rock, but it also contains elements from other genres including alternative rock, metal/crossover thrash and 1990s grunge. Their songs and lyrics tend to focus on political and moral wrongs; this can be seen in the songs "Land of the Free?" and "The Western World". Their lyrics also cover a wide range of topics, including the degradation of the United States and society in general with songs like "Society", "Victim of Reality", "Fuck Authority", "Anyone Listening" and "God Save the USA".

Saturday, 18 August 2012

Introduction

I have decided that I will work on my own and that I will produce a promotion package for the release of an album, to include a promo video, together with a cover for its releaseas part of a digipak (CD/DVD package) and a magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package). These choices should provide me with an overall expereince of working with lots of types of media.

The song I have chosen: 

As part of the creative process I analysed many song lyrics to identify a suitable interpretation of the music video breif. This allowed me to generate some ideas for my scene planning.

"Fuck Authority" is the fourth track from Pennywise's sixth studio album Land of the Free?. It was the album's first (and only charting) single, which reached number 38 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. 


"Fuck Authority"

Single by Pennywise

from the album Land of the Free?

Released - 2001

Format - Promotional CD

Recorded - 2001

Genre- Skate punk, punk rock, melodic hardcore

Length- 3:16

Label- Epitaph Records

Writer(s) - Pennywise

Producer - Pennywise, Joe Barresi


I chose this song in particular because I had figured the rebellious moral of my music video before I founded this song which  I have used because of its Lyrics: 


Someday you gotta find another way, you better right your mind 

and live by what you say

Today is just another day unless you set your sights and try to find a way

I say fuck authority

Silent majority

Raised by the system

Now it's time to rise against them

We're sick of your treason

Sick of your lies

Fuck no, we won't listen

We're gonna open your eyes

Frustration, domination, feel the rage of a new generation, 

we're livin', we're dyin' and we're never gonna stop, stop tryin'

Stop tryin'

Stop tryin', stop tryin'


You know the time is right to take control, 

we gotta take offense against the status quo

No way, not gonna stand for it today, fight for your rights, 

it's time we had our say


I say fuck authority

Silent majority

Raised by the system

Now it's time to rise against them

We're sick of your treason

Sick of your lies

Fuck no, we won't listen

We're gonna open your eyes

Frustration, domination, feel the rage of a new generation, 

We're livin', we're dyin', we're sick and tired of the endless liein' Destroy, 

Enjoy, your fucking world is our new toy, dominate, eliminate, 

Your gonna feel the wrath, wrath of hate.


Fuck authority

Silent majority

Raised by the system

Now it's time to rise against them

We're sick of your treason

Sick of your lies

Fuck no, we won't listen

We're gonna open your eyes

Frustration, domination, feel the rage of a new generation, 

we're livin', we're dyin' and we're never gonna stop, stop tryin'

Stop tryin'

Stop tryin', stop tryin'

More about Pennywise
Biography from the band's webpage site http://pennywisdom.com/pennywise/

In the ever turbulent world of punk rock music, New York City claims the Ramones and Los Angeles proudly boasts PENNYWISE, the most significant hardcore band to emerge from SoCal punk’s second wave.
A thriving, ground-breaking punk rock band for over 20 years, the Hermosa Beach group has seen members come and go but it’s relentless, in-your-face, middle finger in the air, anthem-chanting sound has never wavered one iota.
The genesis of PENNYWISE can be traced back to the South Bay 1988 when punk couldn’t be less popular and metal ruled the roost. The four original members of PENNYWISE immediately crafted a style all its own—a tidal wave of California hardcore, melodic surf punk and optimistic anthems that went against the seek-and-destroy ethos of its era.
PENNYWISE would go on to build an international following through relentless touring. A no nonsense band best-known for its pounding rant “Fuck Authority,” searing soul-searcher “Alien” and its ode to brotherhood, “Bro Hymn,” an autobiographical song that pays tribute to its founding bass player, Jason Thirsk, after his tragic death in 1996. The band recently enjoyed its most significant success to date, with their top 20 single, “The Western World” which dominated at KROQ 106.7, L.A.’s No. 1 modern rock station.
Most recently, Ignite vocalist Zoli Teglas joined the PENNYWISE fold replacing the band’s former vocalist Jim Lindberg. Teglas, a longtime friend and tour mate, made his PENNYWISE debut playing a handful of local shows including the 2009 Smokeout Festival and a sold out Holiday Benefit concert for Amnesty International at Long Beach Arena.
Founding guitarist Fletcher Dragge called Teglas a “natural choice” to take over vocal duties for the band.
Bassist Randy Bradbury explains,
“What started out as a temporary position was just too good to put an end to. Zoli brings to the table a tremendous vocal ability, creativity, and a die hard work ethic. There is a bond that makes this change feel like it was simply meant to be, and considering the recent unfortunate events, having Zoli join the band is a well needed shot of positive energy.”
Teglas was excited to take the stage with his friends, noting,
“I’m stoked to be singing with Pennywise. I’m a huge fan of the band and am super grateful to share the stage with my long time friends Fletcher, Byron and Randy.”
Left without a singer during summer of ’09 some questioned the future of PENNYWISE but they should have known better. Calling it quits was never in the cards for the remaining members.
“There was a time after we lost Jason that we thought about giving up, but we would have been hypocrites,” Dragge noted. “Our music has always been about persevering against all odds. We love this, we love going on the road. There’s nothing more important to me than being on stage in front of our fans and having them sing our lyrics back at us and feel the energy. This has become so much bigger than just us as a band. It’s become a family and a brotherhood of people that I feel depend on us. I’m still here to continue to deliver the message as are Byron and Randy. Our motto is to follow your dreams and pursue them. Don’t waste time because if you’re wasting time on something you’re not into, then you’re not living. We’re going to go out there and have fun doing what we love until it stops being fun.”
A punk rock Hall of Fame band if there ever was one, the story of PENNYWISE is hardly done. With a brash new chapter of the band’s story unfolding before our very eyes, a new record is in the works, as are a U.S. and overseas tours. PENNYWISE doesn’t play by the rules, it plows straight ahead and makes its own.
“We’ve always done things our own way,” Dragge declares, “and we’ve never taken no for answer. We’ve been a punk band for over 20 years, and we’ve traveled the world, and we’ve had a lot of people tell us what we could and couldn’t do. Tell me what we can’t do, and I’ll try twice as hard to do it. That’s the one thing this band has taught me; if you want it bad enough, you can have it.”


My planning of what is actually going to be in my music video has gradually built up through the use of a note pad and pen I carry around with myself in case I think of any ideas or inspirations I would like to record to summarise every individual scene I want to create for the video. My notes are scrambled so far but there is a clear storyline running throughout portraying teenage rebellion through society's repressions with tendencies of  fun in youth, colour, violence, general craziness, graffiti, fire and alcohol. This is just the very beginning so my ideas will predictably alter over time.