Have You Hugged a Punk Today?

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Fury's Hour : a (sort-of) punk manifesto by Warren Kinsella

A manifesto is a declaration of principles, usually of a political nature. And Kinsella, who still plays in a punk band when not busy being a (Toronto) lawyer and politico, writes this manifesto to discover what punk was, what it is, it's future, and where he and the other old farts fit in, since punk was founded in part on the principle that you can't trust anyone over thirty.

Kinsella talking about punk music is a lot like Nick Hornby talking about alt rock - the songs and musicians are described in relation to their audience and his experiences of them (like meeting Joe f**king Strummer), and the direct influence they (their music and personalities) had on all those angry punk kids.

But Kinsella brings more to the table than music nerd angst - because punk isn't just about being pissed at mom and dad, it's about being pissed at 'the man' and 'the system' and everything little thing wrong with the world, and it's about shouting until something gets done. His history of punk music is tied to the history of punk as a movement and a political ethic, springing from class and race conflict as well as aggravation with the bland meaninglessness of top-forty hits.

A lot of young punks these days come in bass-ackwards - getting to the Ramones and the Clash after listening to Green Day and wondering why they like Blink-182 so much. Kinsella wonders if punk has now been entirely co-opted by capitalism, if all of the rebellion has been reduced to clever slogans on tee-shirts and over-produced three-chord songs. In interviews with everyone from Johnny Rotten to Good Charlotte, the evolution of punk is considered, focusing mostly on where it goes from here, if it still even truly exists.

Perhaps the most unusual assertion Kinsella adopts is punk's ultimate optimism and hope. In discussing the musical and political roots of punk and his own personal response to it's ethic and aesthetic, he infuses the reader with the same enthusiasm.

I enjoyed reading Fury's Hour immensely - Kinsella's inclusive conversational style avoids music journalism snobbery and his passion for the subject matter is contagious. Kinsella urges the reader to embrace their inner punk, to get out and do something. Now all I need is a guitar.

(An additional bonus - reading the advance copy while on vacation really confused my grandparents)

Fury's Hour is published by Random House and will be released in August, in paperback, for $27.00

Reader Reviews and Comments

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Interesting!

And written by a Torontonian, you say?

It always seems to be a belabored and touchy topic... and one always wonders WHO is really qualified to speak for an entire movement? We always seem to be looking to Joey Ramone or Johnny Rotten for answers. I still like to read about the different theories, especially from old timers who've earned their credibility.

Here's a list of other punk books:
http://www.punk77.co.uk/Books/booksfulllist.htm

ps. Phew! I'm glad your "musical snobbery" link didn't link to my posts! hahaha

Posted by: Jennn at July 21, 2005 2:44 PM

Heyo! My name is EmaK8 & i'm a HUGE fan of punk, but not this hole 2day punk scene I MEAN WAT DA HELL!?! Punk is about stickin it 2 da man tellin da world 2 F*CK OFF & kids 2day thnk punk is bands like simple plan, blink182 & good charlotte I MEAN WAT DA HEL! Wheres da true punk 2day, where are da guys like da sex pistols & nirvana gone? Dis new punk scene is like totally destroying punk, if it wasnt for bands like greenday & the used punk would be long gone & dead. Any kids who are reading this, simple plan are not punks! Neither are the rest of that trashy crap peopl buy. Punk is about agression, making your point & being as shockin as you can be not this whole wearin make up & winging bout how bad your life is!

Posted by: Ema-K8 at August 19, 2005 5:58 AM

Wow, first of all, who the fuck said the Used and Greenday were "punk"? Sweetheart, they are corporate pop trash...both of them. And, the lead singer of Green Day does wear eyeliner and bitch about his problems, by the way. I don't know about the Used, but I wouldn't doubt it.
If you think that watered-down, cookie cutter shit is "punk"...you ought to think again.
Nirvana...is definitely not "punk" either. They were the first "big" band in a long line of bands that played "grunge". People say that Nirvana were pioneers of "grunge", but that is also far from the truth. Grunge came out of the emotive rock movement in the WAYYY early eighties with bands like Rites of Spring Navio Forge, Fugazi...etc. Nirvana was just the first band to attain corporate pop status. Your local Hot Topic sells a brand of "punk" that really isn't punk at all. Punks don't wear baggy pants, Carebear shirts, and dog collars, Faggot techno raver gabber fucks do...Hot Topic just wants you to think it's punk, so you will buy their shit.
It's a shame that people are so consumed in the superficial media blanket. You believe whatever MTV tells you, sweetie...and it's sad.
You are in fact, part of "the new punk scene" that is destroying the real punk scene. Sorry. I'm sure you didn't mean to be so hypocritical. But, please don't speak out of your ass about things. It makes you look unintelligent...Although...It seems to me like your lack of decent grammar, spelling, and punctuation seemed to do the trick just fine.
Take off your blinders and join the real world.

Posted by: Jessica at December 15, 2005 9:34 AM

ok, i agree with the last chick, scince when are the used and greenday punk? you want punk listin to the casualties and GBH. I also agree with thelast chick, nirvana is grunge and far from punk. and like Kinsella punk is about being heard. being out and loud not complaining because your girlfriend dumped you and you have no one but yourself.

Posted by: Marina at January 14, 2006 6:26 PM

Hi Sam! Photos i send on e-mail.
Green

Posted by: Green at April 25, 2007 9:21 AM

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