Entry 1:
Often in music there are areas or genres that are not yet defined that we may consider having an interstitial existence, that is they hold a place between the currently defined genres. Dr Feelgood, led by Wilko Johnson, is a good example as the band was popular right before the UK’s transition into the punk rock explosion, yet they didn’t play punk rock: they influenced it. Despite not having a definitive genre, the term “pub rock” has commonly been used to describe Dr Feelgood after the band started to experiment and move away from its original sound that was more like British R&B.
Formed in Canvey Island, Essex, Dr Feelgood featured similar styles of British R&B at the time, but with much more energy that gave them great popularity in the London pub rock circuit. Like many other musical styles of the time, live shows were starting to become much more common for Dr Feelgood and other pub rock bands that featured more intimate performances in smaller venues (Oil City Confidential).
Growing up in such a small town has definitely influenced Dr Feelgood’s music and performances. Canvey Island’s small feel and working class status created a tightknit community. Like the Northern Soul movement, Dr Feelgood also had a working class, community-like following as many fans were from the small town of Canvey Island although the band successfully toured throughout the UK. This connection between Northern Soul and pub rock is more of a cultural thing, but the connections between pub rock and punk rock are mostly musical as the culture changed drastically (Oil City Confidential).
The question about the significance of their influence towards punk rock is still a debate today. Some have even gone as far as calling Dr Feelgood “proto-punk,” and when looking at the musical styles this is reasonable, but punk rock was strongly characterized by the culture and attitude that came along with it that pub rock clearly did not have. This cultural shift is what led the transition into punk rock.
Entry 2:
As pub rock preceded punk rock, bands like Dr Feelgood surely influenced the punk rock movement. This influence is clear when comparing certain traits from both pub and punk rock; there are clear musical overlaps when looking at the stylistics of pub rock that were passed on and even some cultural aspects that were passed along such as the tradition of high energy concerts that allowed fans to connect with the artist. Nevertheless, punk rock did not develop because of slight musical deviation. The key, differentiating characteristic that separated punk rock and pub rock was the distinct rebellious attitude. Punk rock was as much about its subculture as it was about its music and what followers took away from the music.
Although some may argue that the Sex Pistols were more of a novelty band, they are a good example of punk rock subculture. The Sex Pistols, though strongly shaped by their manager Malcolm McLaren, were representative of the identity of many young people who did not fit into mainstream society or chose to rebel from mainstream society in the 1970s. At the time, it was difficult for young people to find employment, and the tough working class shaped much of punk rock subculture. Punk rock has often been attributed to the social conditions of the time, a result of situationism, and the Sex Pistols exemplified this (The Filth and the Fury).
The Sex Pistols’ music was nothing special from a technical musical sense; their late bass player Sid Vicious barely knew how to play when he moved from their number one fan and friend to actual band member, but still the band reached unbelievable levels of popularity. Followers of the Sex Pistols loved their rebellious temperament and style as much as anything. Whether it was their shocking fashion or desire to offend everyone they did not agree with, Sex Pistols fans felt a real connection to the band. The Sex Pistols may not have even meant anything to themselves as they played and put on concerts for their own enjoyment, but followers took their own relatable connection away from their actions (The Filth and the Fury).
Although the upper class and media often looked down upon punk rock for its unruly subculture, this is what really defined the genre of punk rock, rather than the significance of the actual music. The Sex Pistols may not have been considered as authentic as other punk bands because of McLaren’s heavy influence, but still they embodied what it meant to be a real punk rock fan.
Often in music there are areas or genres that are not yet defined that we may consider having an interstitial existence, that is they hold a place between the currently defined genres. Dr Feelgood, led by Wilko Johnson, is a good example as the band was popular right before the UK’s transition into the punk rock explosion, yet they didn’t play punk rock: they influenced it. Despite not having a definitive genre, the term “pub rock” has commonly been used to describe Dr Feelgood after the band started to experiment and move away from its original sound that was more like British R&B.
Formed in Canvey Island, Essex, Dr Feelgood featured similar styles of British R&B at the time, but with much more energy that gave them great popularity in the London pub rock circuit. Like many other musical styles of the time, live shows were starting to become much more common for Dr Feelgood and other pub rock bands that featured more intimate performances in smaller venues (Oil City Confidential).
Growing up in such a small town has definitely influenced Dr Feelgood’s music and performances. Canvey Island’s small feel and working class status created a tightknit community. Like the Northern Soul movement, Dr Feelgood also had a working class, community-like following as many fans were from the small town of Canvey Island although the band successfully toured throughout the UK. This connection between Northern Soul and pub rock is more of a cultural thing, but the connections between pub rock and punk rock are mostly musical as the culture changed drastically (Oil City Confidential).
The question about the significance of their influence towards punk rock is still a debate today. Some have even gone as far as calling Dr Feelgood “proto-punk,” and when looking at the musical styles this is reasonable, but punk rock was strongly characterized by the culture and attitude that came along with it that pub rock clearly did not have. This cultural shift is what led the transition into punk rock.
Entry 2:
As pub rock preceded punk rock, bands like Dr Feelgood surely influenced the punk rock movement. This influence is clear when comparing certain traits from both pub and punk rock; there are clear musical overlaps when looking at the stylistics of pub rock that were passed on and even some cultural aspects that were passed along such as the tradition of high energy concerts that allowed fans to connect with the artist. Nevertheless, punk rock did not develop because of slight musical deviation. The key, differentiating characteristic that separated punk rock and pub rock was the distinct rebellious attitude. Punk rock was as much about its subculture as it was about its music and what followers took away from the music.
Although some may argue that the Sex Pistols were more of a novelty band, they are a good example of punk rock subculture. The Sex Pistols, though strongly shaped by their manager Malcolm McLaren, were representative of the identity of many young people who did not fit into mainstream society or chose to rebel from mainstream society in the 1970s. At the time, it was difficult for young people to find employment, and the tough working class shaped much of punk rock subculture. Punk rock has often been attributed to the social conditions of the time, a result of situationism, and the Sex Pistols exemplified this (The Filth and the Fury).
The Sex Pistols’ music was nothing special from a technical musical sense; their late bass player Sid Vicious barely knew how to play when he moved from their number one fan and friend to actual band member, but still the band reached unbelievable levels of popularity. Followers of the Sex Pistols loved their rebellious temperament and style as much as anything. Whether it was their shocking fashion or desire to offend everyone they did not agree with, Sex Pistols fans felt a real connection to the band. The Sex Pistols may not have even meant anything to themselves as they played and put on concerts for their own enjoyment, but followers took their own relatable connection away from their actions (The Filth and the Fury).
Although the upper class and media often looked down upon punk rock for its unruly subculture, this is what really defined the genre of punk rock, rather than the significance of the actual music. The Sex Pistols may not have been considered as authentic as other punk bands because of McLaren’s heavy influence, but still they embodied what it meant to be a real punk rock fan.