Punk-The Image vs The Attitude

Can an attitude define an image? Does an image define an attitude?

Punk is the personification of anti-culture, anarchy and revolution. It has a unique image and a rather cult/iconic status. For those of you that have seen 'This is England' may have an idea of what Punk is.

So can an image formulate an attitude. Images formulate opinions, especially by others. We judge what we don't know and we stereotype. If she has a mile high mohawk or he has more chains than a bicycle through his face, they must be bad. They couldn't possibly be friendly or civil.

Why not?

We are a culture of judgers. We see what we want to see. Nobody has the freedom to express themselves. Not unless they wish to be judged. While Punk is a particular example, it applies to most alternate things. That of a different mindset. Often a more free and liberal one. While many subcultures are powered by music, a fashion element has to come in too. You should like the clothes if you wear them. You also need to feel comfortable and confident in them. If you don't, your lack of confidence will show, trust me!

As far as an attitude goes,Punk is a great example of two prevailing attitudes (Again, watch 'This is England'). One being the fashion and music side. The other being the political side of things. This is where the anarchic, revolutionary and at times, Nazi elements come in. A music can make you feel one way but does not necessarily make you go and be an anarchist. It is just a song. For others, it does exactly that. Think of it as a lay and active population. 

So while one may wear one thing, they may act another. We can judge but I always give someone a chance, at least. There has been times when the most punked up person in the world was on a bus. I'm sure to some he looked scary. But he gave up his seat for an old lady and was talking to some kid about why he had paint and spikes on his jacket :)

Its all about perception. Surely the most ant-expectancy you could do is dress like the end is nigh but be the most friendly, genuine and chatty person in the world!

Baby Bats-Don't judge

Baby Bats are the younglings of the Goth world. They are just getting into the scene and of course there are times when their attire is cringe worthy. Their attitude shitty and their general persona is poor. If they are going around giving those of the truly darkly inclined a bad name, it is just the way it is.

Don't Judge! If I had half the balls to do and dress like that at their age, things may be different for me at 21. Some will, yes, grow out of it. But for those who last the initial foray and the often inevitable bullying, they will become experienced and true-to-life Goths, embracing its true meanings.

It can be a little shocking, extreme and all too-much-too-quick. Alot of what Goth is to baby bats is a shocking reversal of societies expectancies. Hence why they are often every stereotype in the world thrown onto one person. There is no balance or moderation. They can be rude, ignorant and being just general nuisances.  However there are those who perhaps do more research and look past the Marilyn Manson image. Some, even at a really young age do pull it off well. They are, despite being young, really getting the idea of Goth. So don't knock it.

I think it takes alot of balls to define yourself and individualise yourself, especially in the mean place of school at such a young age. So don't judge or pity. Simply appreciate and congratulate.

Time-An Ever Passing Demon

'You always have time' is something my mother always said. Time to do what exactly is unknown but I guess I realise that more now than ever before. What one does with the time in a day is down purely to the individual. They can waste it or do something constructive with it. Again what one considers constructive usage and time wasting is down to the individual.

I think when I don't have something I must do immediately or imminently I will waste a large proportion of my time. While I while away this time on the laptop mostly, there numerous things I could do. This perhaps is a gripe towards University and the severe lack of contact time but I am not going to start on that gripe now. I guess I really want a job. A real job. 9-5 Monday to Friday. Call me boring and no it's not very unique at all but I guess if I don't have this I can find myself wasting so much time, or at least not using it to the full of my advantage. The part of the day I look forward to when I am not at work or uni is when I go to pick my gf up at 4pm. That breaks up my day. What I do from 9-4 is effectively very little. I am just really bored these days. I don't feel motivated to do anything. I have no projects on the go, no money to start any and a dire lack of motivation to go for a run etc.

While I am content to just stay on YouTube etc all day, this just is not very good. What I can do about this is unknown right now. I have essays and dissertations due in a month time so I will get cracking on them soon but I mean in general, I just feel demotivated.

So I am hoping to get a job, so that I can live for the weekend. No harm in that, unless of course I win the lottery! While I may be bored, I am still happy and at times it is just nice to sit and chill. Sitting outside like I am now is actually really nice. I feel better for being outside. I love the outdoors and I reckon I am probably going stir crazy and getting a bit claustrophobic :P

Guest Feature-Photo shoot with Nathaniel Johnston of Abney Park

I found this article while looking for kilt Pictures. It is a great example of how a costume can become everyday wear and how we can dress items up or down irrespective of their value. We can spend loads on items we never wear. Surely it is best to wear them to death to justify the cost.

'Nathan wears this kilt onstage with Abney Park at shows, but he can easily dress it down with an old band shirt and bashed-up military boots. He had the kilt made by a local artisan from $60-a-yard hand-loomed wool fabric acquired from a renaissance faire in California. Nathan's outfit is an excellent example of how you can take an item on which you spent a lot of money and make it worth every cent, and for more than just dress-up. While dressing in expensive clothing every day might be considered bourgeois or pretentious (remember, we're not hipsters), making certain you get every possible use out of a clothing item is actually wise and thrifty. It's also considerably more respectful to a hand-made garment to actually wear the thing out rather than stash it away in your wardrobe for special occasions only.

Also, notice Nathan's mismatched green socks with the plaid kilt--proof you can mash-up your stripes and plaids and still look incredibly put-together.

I additionally want to note the aspects of goth and punk fashion in Nathan's outfit--they're respectfully executed, but subtle. It is perfectly ok to borrow clothing motifs you like from other subcultures, and this specific subculture has a lot in common with goth/punk. See my article called "Paint it Brass" in Issue #4 of Steampunk Magazine if you disagree. And, as Bruce Sterling says here:'

You can view the whole article hear.

The Normality of the World, The Irregularity of Perception

How I see the world will differ from how you or anyone else sees the world. How anyone else sees the world will differ to how I see the world.  This leads to great diversity. A great multitude of attitudes and opinions, not all of which are shared. However, despite the individual perceptions we all have our ourselves and others, we all have an innate ability and desire to conform to a pre-determined aesthetic. This may be what is on the racks at Topman or River Island. Or whatever suit seemed the best value for money at BHS or Primark. We all conform in our own ways to society, peoples expectations/judgements and what work expects of us.

We ar all sheep, following what we are told to

There has to be an occasion where one must break the mould. How this is done is up to you. It does not need to be what you wear. It can simply be your attitude or a spring in your step. A smile is a great way of breaking up the lines!

It all boils down to happiness. What are you happy wearing? How are you happy acting?  Confidence in ones self is apparent in anyone. I am really big on good customer service. I think someone who is happy in themselves is happier on a regular basis than those who are just sad, boring and droll. 

Happy with you-Happy in life

I am happy in me, and getting more confident in me every day. Yes it is a gradual progress and it does require effort but on a day to day basis, no matter what I am wearing, I am happy. I try to smile, be polite, helpful and kind, whether i'm in just jeans and a hoodie or top hat and a kilt. 

You never know what will happen. Dressing in a weird way attracts attention. That's just the world we live in. By being grumpy, dark and looking like you worship Satan is not going to get you any brownie points. Nor will it gain you any hardcore Goth points. And even if you do worship the devil, there is still no harm in smiling or being just a decent human being. Surely? So on the street, in my job, and hopefully in life, I try to be happy. To shake off those negative perceptions and stereotypes people have of the darkly inclined. 

If it's the shock factor you want, then is it not more shocking to go against the stereotype of mopey, evil Gothic and be a happy and friendly Goth who smiles, laughs and is genuinely nice. Now that's shocking.

I will leave you with this video. I have posted it before but I just think it's a great vid.

Pinterest-The Interactive Pin Board

Pinterest is a new and growing phenomenon. The idea is that you can 'pin' images from anywhere on the web. You can create boards of anything displaying all sorts of things. It is like a facebook of images. It really is quite neat. Its excellent for creating mood or idea boards. Its all about making an easy access picture screen. It's great!

The Staple Item

Every outfit has a theme. Something that inspired it. Something where the focus is on that particular thing. Something that brings the whole look together. Something that completes the image. It can sometimes be something small, other times it's right in your face. It is the something that without it the look just would not work or just would not look right.

When I try to conceptualise an outfit or a look I first think of what I want to achieve. Then the occasion. While some things are great at one place, they may not work, or will have to be toned down to work elsewhere. There are of course outfits that only work all together. Others can be adapted or dressed down/up. Others are rather universal and it is that one item that just works with everything.

This item can be small or large. A necklace to a coat, a hat to a belt. What makes it special is the focus it brings to the outfit. Sometimes the whole outfit is visually stunning and therefore it is the idea that makes it fantastic. I don't like copying looks or style. I look at an image or style and try to make it my own. If I see someone wearing a particular thing or even doing something unusual with something normal (like using a tie as a belt) I may utilise the idea but personalise it.

I think a look is only as good as the idea and the effort put behind it. Not every look has to be time consuming and elaborate. However there are times when you can tell if time has been invested into it. This includes everything from hair, make-up (if applicable), accessories and gadgets (more a cyber/steampunk thing).

DIY items are also great, if done well. My jacket, a leather biker one, is all Punked up and similar to the one pictured above. Sometimes even the simplest things can look great. I cut the sleeves off a top and it looks 10 times better.



Time and effort can often pay dividends.










Draw inspiration from anywhere. Whilst there is a fine line between costume and clothes there is artistic licence within the alternate subculture. It is up to you. Just be sure of you. Why not create a story or background to your image inspiration. I love the Warhammer 40'000 universe as well as lots of Sci-Fi. I draw my cyber and industrial ideas from that. I couldn't list all of them hear but anything that inspires you can be a focal point for an outfit. Mood boards are a great way to bring ideas together.

Just have fun with the look and just be happy and confident in yourself. If you are happy in it, go for it. Be yourself :)

Punk and Goth-Rebellion Does Not Always Have to be 'Bad or Anti'

Goth came from the Punk Subculture of the 70's and 80's. It has developed alot since them and each is now its own specific subculture with it's own looks and music. Punk was always about revolution, 'sticking it to the man' and being against the normal fold of society. No they were not all communists but it did grow out of the Thatcher era and the resentment felt by many towards her and the Tory government of the day.

The Punk style is unique and has alot to to with non-conformity and rebellion. Mohawk's, DIY clothing,Safety Pins, Patches and Dental Floss Stitching were common. Goth simply took this idea and made it darker. 

I am not aware of the verity of Punk styles as there are for Goth's but I am sure there are categories. 

JUST A QUICK NOTE! WHILE THE TERM NAZI-PUNK IS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH PUNKS, NOT ALL PUNKS ARE NAZIS! SOME MAY BE BUT SO TO MAY THERE BE NAZI GOTH'S OR CHAVER'S OR SKATER'S. BEING A PUNK DOES NOT MAKE YOU A NAZI!

There are occasions where an overlap can occur between Goth and Punk and I see no problem with this. As I said, Goth grew out of Punk so at some point there has to be an overlap. Deathrock, Fishnet Arm warmers, Buttons and Pins are very similar in style. Doc Martens are Punk must haves but have again crossed over to some Gothic circles.                                                                                     

In these pics I think there is a nice crossover of Goth and Punk.

While some people will disagree, I think one cannot ignore the history of something and where it came from. The roots of anything are important and so an appreciation of this can highlight the development of its style.

So why is there such a stigma. The association with the meaning of Punk or Goth for that matter is never a positive one to the layman. The term 'punk kids' or 'suicidal goth's' is misconception most take for fact. Punks are anarchist trouble makers and Goth's are just suicidal depressives. 

This goes back to the label debate. How we label and conceive something affects our perception of it. Especially if one does not understand the full ramifications or just knows the stereotypes. Perhaps someone is a Goth because they like the music and clothes or someone dresses Punk because they love Mohawk's and Doc Martens. There does not always have to be a political cause to it. 

Perhaps the revolution of the individual is against the unkind and cruel world they see. They go against the fold and become a Buddhist. This is a revolution to the accepted norms of ignorance and cruelty in our world today. By dressing punk they reflect this. What's to say that the way people dress influences their behaviour. This may make me seem like a crazy idealist but wouldn't it be great if we did not judge a book by it's cover but by the depth of its content. 

Perhaps I am missing the point. While many Punks dress the way they do because of some 'anti' message they wish to convey; perhaps people just need to change and be more accepting. Give them a chance. If I dress like a chain covered Goth, does that make me an evil person. No, but the perception exists that makes me evil.

I do not think I can change the world either by this blog or by myself. However if I make an effort then at least that's one trying out of the 60 Million in the UK and 6 Billion in the world. 

Looking Forward to the Life I Never Had

Can you really re-live your childhood. No! They call it a mid-life crises. However I do often wonder why certain things are confined to certain times in ones life. A Gothy image is often associated with some disaffected teen who has issues (or so the stereotype goes). They are simply phases. Someone then entering this style in their late teens, twenties or older is simply some poser who has no grounding in the scene and is therefore just a pretender.

The Extreme?

Looking through the internet one is perplexed by the variety of the 'alternate' scene. I am happy and confident in the knowledge that I am and always have been at the very least, 'alternate'. The advantage of this label is the ability to mix and match. It allows for adventure, creativity, uniqueness and flair and does not pigeon hole you down one narrow minded viewpoint. While some days you may look more Gothic, others more Grungy and some days you may just have jeans and a hoody on (like today :P).

I have been hear for over 21 years. I have been aware for about 10 of them and only truly enlightened for about 6 of them. So if I wager I have another 60 years at least to go then I have at least a good grounding of knowledge but not necessarily experience. But I love seeing 30 and 40 year old's embracing their dark side. Yes, you can't do it every day and you can't do it at work so oh fe but while the freedom I have had over the last 5 years has gone largely unused, I am confident that this will change.

I am determined to be me and be happy. Especially in my image and what I do with life.

Public Relations-Be yourself and don't adopt an attitude

The stresses of finding a job, somewhere to live and graduating successfully are all issues at the moment. Me and my girlfriend are working together to make a happy life together. It can be annoying, stressful and upsetting at times but one needs something to look forward to in life. Be that the weekends, holidays, evenings  or even just spending all the time we can together. I will never loose sight of the important things in life. Sometimes it is the simple things.

I guess it all goes back to a previous post about effort. Sometimes the effort is needed to change a look, style and subsequent perception of you. This is then twinned with consistency. My interest will always remain and given time I am sure it will become the norm. Its all a mater of gradual patience.

Busy Two Days

Well I have decided that from tomorrow and continuing on into Thursday I am going to write both of my small essays. 3000 words each with at least 30 odd references. I can do it! Then I get a break over the weekend and full attention can turn to my dissertation. Just remember...full effort for only 6 more weeks. 2:2 :P

Sex, Drugs, Image and the Life I've Had So Far

Sorry for not posting. Family holiday to the lakes.

Well only six weeks to go! The end of uni is in sight. I can't wait to get out of uni. But why? This has been the sum up of my life. I can't wait to get out of this, that or the other. I hated secondary school and sixth form. I went to uni hoping everything would change. It didn't and I know now that it was my fault that I did not make things happen.

While I do not think I have led a boring and uneventful life, on the contrary, I simply feel I could of done more, enjoyed who I was or at least who I wanted to be. I never really did the things kids do. I have had a happy life and perhaps I did not do those 'normal things normal kids do' because I am not normal and such activities were never me. I don't think I ever really had those teenage rebellion years of anti-everything. I have always had few friends and seemed to always go from one thing to another without much care for what had been. From what I remember, year 9 was one of my best years at school. I had a huge group of friends, all like me socially outcast, odd, weird and just generally uncool and unpopular. I fit right right in. While at the time I never yearned to be popular (and I still don't) but I do wonder what could have been. If I were more confident in myself.

I certainly would of dressed differently, made more of an effort to bring out my Gothy side and portray it to the world. I would of been out every weekend with friends doing what skaters, Goths and Emo's do with their weekends, Being generally weird and having a care free attitude. I was always a forward thinker; a man with a plan. That plan was always the Army. Deep down, although I never committed to the Army, I do not regret my obsession about it and it has massively influenced both my life and who I am today.

I do not have any regrets. While I wonder what could have been, I know I can never do it again. Renaissance is all I have. They are fond memories and while there is rough, smooth and baggage, it is all part of my life. Even with three years of university under my belt, I only now feel a need to live life to the max. I never seized the opportunities presented to me in my youth and so I am determined to do it now. My interests have of course always changed but the general theme of 'the different' has always remained.

As for the title, well I have had my fair share of sexual experience and have never done any hardcore drugs. While drinking and smoking is a social thing, other things such as cocaine and LSD just aren't my thing anyway. I am a victim of being uptight, tightly wound and can never really just chill and be care free. It just is not and never has been me. I have high stress levels and get angry or frustrated easily. Again these are all things I want to change.

Change is a recurring theme throughout this blog. I believe constructive change is great but fundamental change is not. We can all work to improve ourselves. This is good and not detrimental. However we must never forget who we are inside.  One must never change who they are for anything or anyone. We must remain true to ourselves. If like me you feel different on the inside than you are on the outside then try to be who you are on the inside Let your true feelings prevail.

Happiness is a personal thing. What makes me happy may not make me happy or vice versa. Providing we are happy in ourselves, then happiness in life will follow. Don't compromise

Change with Seasons

It is definitely becoming hot. Summer is just around the corner, we are certainly in spring and winter is long gone. I don't know why but the change of the big two seasons, summer and winter always bring big changes for me. Think of them as half way marks, 6 months of each. As my friend pointed out, we are 3 months in to 2012. A quarter of the year is gone. As usual alot has changed since this point last year while some has stayed the same. Those changes have been both positive and negative. Constructive and destructive. I am still ultimately happy and now that uni is nearly over, I am looking forward to entering the real world.

As we change, like the seasons and the weather we all develop as people as a whole. Time and experience creates the individual. I, like my girlfriend, wants happiness, success, relative wealth and an enjoyable life. We do not want to be millionaires (it would be nice). We just want a life together.

The last few summers have been interesting times of change and development for me. Summer is often the beginning of a new start, especially in the academic timetable. I do not think I have never stuck with a summer new start, not like a new years resolution. Summer has always been a time of upheaval. Of change, of new opportunity. What those opportunities will be are unknown and unforeseen. This year is the year of the unknown and of great uncertainty. Leaving university, finding somewhere to live, getting a job and keeping it is something only really 2 months away. Time is ticking.

Doing Something New-Letting Go, Just For a Bit

I am back in the coffee shop again. But this time I am on my jollies :) I have finished work for two weeks and I am off to the lakes this weekend. Me and my Girlfriend are ready for intrepid adventures in the wilderness. I got her some good kit so we are both really looking forward to it.

Sometimes it is just great to get away from it all. Not that life is TOO stressful at the moment but still. A get away is never bad.

This is not us! :P

But sometimes people forget how important it is to let go of reality and enjoy something different. Forget the image, style and labels and just go off on a no pressure excursion. Wherever you go, no one knows you and no one really cares about what you look like. I love the outdoors and the lakes. I have all the kit because I am really into it, and not just to look ally on the mountain. I guess the same can be said about any activity, hobby or sport etc. It is simply that. An interest. A chance to let go of everything else and enjoy doing something different to the usual 9-5.

I am a very sporty person (At least I like to think I am). I have tried my hand at everything going over my life from Karate, Rugby, football, Golf, Cricket etc. I would get really into it then leave. I am like that. But one thing that has always stayed constant is my running. While I do desperately need to get back into running, I still have a very good baseline of fitness. Yes, I own sportswear. Expensive stuff at that. I have golf clubs too, which are not cheap. I like playing when I can but that's not very often. But my point is that doing something different and totally unrelated to ones lifestyle is neither a bad thing or unhealthy.  

I use sport as an example but anything is better than nothing. Writing, Reading, Playing Warhammer or something like that. Listening to music or going to gigs. Skateboarding, Parkour, Singing. It's not extensive but it's simply something you do that isn't necessarily linked to your subcultural attachment. It allows you to branch out and try new things. Things you may not have been exposed to. 

Carpe Diem-Seize the day and make you lives extraordinary.