I think it's "punk," but regardless, there is a big punk convention - or Kongress, as they call it - in Germany this September:
- Punk! Kongress
September 22 - 26, 2004 in Kassel
4 Days and 4 Nights
Discussion + Live Acts + Films + Readings + Exhibition
Punk is and always was more than just a music style or a passing fashion. Within the last three decades, the punk culture has established itself as a decisive component within the contemporary culture, with big influences on fashion, art, advertising and literature. But what exactly is punk, where are its roots, which meaning did it have in its various places of origin and and to which point has it developed itself until today?
It`s high time that theoreticians, experts, pioneers and activists on punk come together in one place to exchange their points of view and their experiences. As this should not end up in a bloodless, pop historical discussion we also want to have a look at today`s punk.
Well-known punk protagonists like Sex Pistols` manager Malcolm Mc Laren, Mark Perry, Marty Thau or Sezgin Boynik will talk and discuss about development, philosophy and substance of punk, its traces in the mainstream culture and its current influences.
Buzzcocks, Jayne County with Dumbell, Alternative TV and some more valuable live acts from home and abroad will provide a wide spectrum of entertainment.
A small but decent film programme, an exhibition and a trade fair will round off the first international Punk! Kongress.
Malcolm's always a hoot, of course, but the stars of the show will be my great pal (and Blogcritic) Marty Thau - industry legend (New York Dolls, Ramones, Blondie, Suicide, Red Star Records) with many a tale to tell, and the still woefully underappreciated Buzzcocks, whose status should be on par with the Sex Pistols and just slightly below that of the Ramones and the Clash.
Here's my bio of Marty from the Encyclopedia of Record Producers:
Marty Thau is first and foremost a visionary. After spending most of the '60s as one of the top promo men in the record business (with stops at the Cameo/Parkway and Buddah labels), Thau forsook a cushy position with a mainstream production company in '72 to manage the rebirth of rock 'n' roll in the form of the New York Dolls, whom he guided until '75.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
i think "punk" in german is:
"hasselhoff"
i could be wrong tho...
2 - Jim Carruthers
Please let us know when Dieter gives us the permission to dance.
Or touch his monkey.
3 - Paul Dumbell
I personally dont know ANYONE named Dieter...and David Hasselhoff is just as confounding as Wierd Al Yankovic. The point is that in Europe there is a heavy respect going on for the roots of this cultural upheaval that can still be felt to this day.I think its great that the some of the surviving icons of this almost forgotten art(sum 41 is "punk"???) are making the effort to give some entertainment and wisdom to "The Dieters". And its good for the artists as well. I guess Cheetah has NEVER played a show here in his life, but I dont know any Punk bar in germany that doesnt break into the refrain of sonic reducer when they hear the D.J. play it.I cant say the same for the states, or England tho...strange...I thought they created it.The underground rock scene is thriving in every corner of Europe, and thats because the people never forgot the roots.Respekt.
Prost Und Viel Spass
Paul