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Is great music dead? A student's requiem

By RYAN KENT

Date published: 6/10/2004

YOUTH CORRESPONDENT

Music is a wonderful gift. It is our most favorite thing. But, of late, music has begun to lose its shine.

It used to be a great big diamond. Showing in the day and reflecting light off into all directions. Strong, like iron.

Then, you realized it was a cubic zirconium, and if dropped it would probably break.

Music has changed from the flashy diamond to a cheap piece of glass. You're probably thinking, "God, not another one of these whiny brats talking about what is 'punk' and what isn't."

Really it has nothing to do with that. Punk is on top of the list of things that is wrong with music today.

Nobody will ever be punk enough for anyoneso get over it.

Either bands are selling out, or they are so underground no one has even heard of them.

Apparently, that is cool.

News flash: Neither option is cool.

In 1994, America had punk shoved down its throat thanks to Green Day and the Offspring. Suburban kids went to school with green hair and spiked chokers without understanding why.

Then everyone got sick of it and cast it aside.

If you look back to 1991, people did the same thing with what the media labeled as "grunge." Record companies were signing bands that had never played live before, simply because they were from Seattle, hoping to find the next Nirvana or Pearl Jam.

Honestly, you don't really care. It's the same thing with punk as it was 10 years ago with grunge.

In another year or so, no one will care about punk, again, and everyone will stop trying to be Lars Fredrieksen (Rancid, the Bastards) and go back to wearing J.Crew and other trendy crap.

Magazines depicting designers' expensive creations of what is "true punk" is a travesty in itself.

Their studded belts. Their Von Dutch hats. You think everyone will be happier when it goes away and all the true fans can continue on.

All of the other parasites can find something else to suck the blood out of.

But of course, you probably think you're a true fan.

Rock 'n' roll has problems, too. Celebrities, politicians and even cartoons flow through the vein of rock, and it seems wrong. Like PlayStations at a board meeting. It doesn't mesh.

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Date published: 6/10/2004