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To say this book is
a disappointment is an understatement. The blurb promises. Give
academics a free reign to discuss Punk and this is the claptrap you get.
Half baked intellectual theorising that can't make up its mind whether
its Rock criticism or Sociology. It could have been so good. Instead
Sabin (a heavy metal fan who liked Wire because the songs were easy to
learn !!) invites people (some who weren't even punks) to discuss
various issues and come to conclusions. Unfortunately they don't.
Sabin himself tries to debunk the myth that punk wasn't racist. One of his premises is 'that punk didn't stand up for the Asians' so it wasn't totally anti- racist. When are people going to understand. Punk = music. No 76-79 punk band spouted any racist shit in any of their songs and that includes Skrewdriver. The examples he gives are ludicrous - Art Attacks, Adam & The Ants - and his selective quoting and distortion from fanzines like Ripped & Torn is not a recognised academic process but more akin to fitting the facts to theories. Steal it for articles on punk fashion, the birth of punk and a few photos. ** stars for getting me angry. However **** stars for at least having the guts to say something different on the issue and provoke thought !! |
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