Hot Topic Punks in a Fake Punk World
Punk is dead. Actually, it died a long time ago once the Sex Pistols imploded and The Clash's Joe Strummer had the temerity to kick Mick Jones out of the band and then release the career-killing record "Cut the Crap."
No, scratch that. Punk died when the first Hot Topic store opened in 1988.
What started as a way to capitalize on the early MTV craze has become pre-fabricated shorthand for something that is supposed to resemble punk in some sanitized, VMA world. Now you can now have that punk rock feeling without ever leaving the safety of the shopping mall. It's the Hot Topic-ing of America.
Punk was born on the street but is now bred in major label board rooms with clothing manufacturer tie-ins. Here's a reminder of pre-Hot Topic punk when the safety pins came from a dirty rehearsal room instead of an online catalogue.
GALLERY: The Sex Pistols: Original Hot Topic Band?
There's something wrong about a publicly traded company (over $741M in revenue in 2006) selling "Blood Is the New Pink" wristbands. Or maybe it's right. Maybe it's just as punk as Johnny Rotten schilling butter on a British commercial. Maybe Hot Topic just figured out what other '70s punks were too dumb to realize: it's better to be the man than fight him.
And now…the Hot Topic Top 5
GREEN DAY
They began as the shining stars of 924 Gilman Street (a Berkeley, CA punk club dedicated to independent punk music) and wound up as poster boys for major label sellouts. Certainly, any band who's sold over 20 million albums and won three Grammys is having the last laugh. Still, they're not doing the punk legacy any favors.
AVRIL LAVIGNE
The Canadian "pop punk" singer claims the following as her punk bona fide: working to establish equal rights for skateboarders and marrying fellow Hot Topic punker Deryck Whibley (Sum 41). Two words that should ever go together are "pop" and "punk." Her and Whibley split in September, which can only help their cred. Divorce is very punk.
BLINK-182
Tattoos do not the punk make.
GOOD CHARLOTTE
If it weren't for the Madden twins' dating Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton, I'd be convinced. Any true punk wouldn't be within 10 miles of those two chicks.
SIMPLE PLAN
What is it with French Canadians and pop punk? Another Hot Topic band who committed yet another cardinal punk sin. Band members Pierre Bouvier and Chuck Comeau started brainstorming about forming a band while attending a Sugar Ray show. 'Nuff said.
-(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
Game. Set. Match.
...what in blue blazes is Hot Topic? If it is a store, how can a band be a Hot Topic band?
Just curious. Always trying to broaden my musical horizons.
"Hot Topic (NASDAQ: HOTT) is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, including licensed music recordings. As of April, 2008, Hot Topic had 688 locations in the United States and six stores in Puerto Rico, the majority of which are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000 and was replaced by Betsy McLaughlin. The company went public and began trading on NASDAQ in 1996. In 2006 Hot Topic was named number 53 on Fortune 500's Top Companies To Work For list. Approximately 30% of Hot Topic's revenue comes from selling licensed band t-shirts. Hot Topic often negotiates exclusive licensing arrangements with musical artists, movie studios, and graphic artists. Fashion apparel for men and women is featured prominently in stores, with products from Lip Service, Morbid Threads, Disney, Sanrio, Social Collision, Heartcore Clothing, Nintendo, Chor and Iron Fist being a part of the store's 2009 line-up of merchandise.
Up to 50% of Hot Topic's sales are generated by accessories, including sunglasses, private label body jewelry, hosiery, make-up, licensed band stickers and other miscellaneous pop culture items. Accessories generate the most significant amount of profit for the company. Hot Topic drives the profit margin by the use of cross merchandising and suggestive selling."
Basically, the thesis of Shawn Amos' article is that the aggressively corporate nature of Hot Topic is a direct contradiction and bastardization of the DIY, no-sellout values that enriched punk throughout its lifespan.
And baby, punk is so much more than just UK '77.
If you like great, if you don't, just leave it alone.
I remember people saying punk was dead way back in the late '70's, as soon as more people got into it. So not much has changed all these years.
"Oh that's right, he gets credit for being the first to do the Pogo dance."
I can't figure that out either, as we did the pogo as kids watching some local TV show way before it became "punk"
15, Giants Nutcase, unless I'm sorely mistaken, Sid Vicious wasn't inducted into the Hall of Fame along with the Pistols (who rejected the invitation anyway), because he didn't record on any of their albums. Glen Matlock did. BTW, Never Mind the Bollocks has plenty of great songs, not just your hits. See also: "Holidays in the Sun," "Problems," "Pretty Vacant," et al. They're worth revisiting.
#16, if "everybody's arguments are pointless" and "it's about what you like," that would render your arguments, my arguments and Shawn Amos' arguments moot, null and void. As such, we might as well scrap this entire blog, comments, et al, and retire to a quiet evening of pinochle. If I have too much time on my hands, then you have just as much to proffer commentary on my commentary. Get it?
And wtf at people criticizing Matthew K? This is sort of a mini forum, you're suppossed to state your opinion. Get over yourselves people.
And ignore by bad english, it's not my first language (or you're going to criticize that too...?)