Punk, the DIY scene, and squatters

In the 1980s, punk had a second wave of development, evolving into a scene where punk became big in the underground and DIY scene (1 pg180). This is backed up by an interview with Max, in which he talks about DIY/benefit gigs. when talking to Matt, he explained how this was a nicer alternative to the corporate event as it provided smaller groups with a fair opportunity to present their music. Similar to the first version of punk it was political involving themselves with campaigning over social and political issues such as animal rights, anti-war, racism and more. Matt explains how DIY gigs were beneficial as the promoter would cover the costs for the band and there would be low prices so everyone can easily come.

Squats came from the empty spaces from “left derelict long after World War Two”(2) and from the 70s, they became popular with the punk scene Using the area, Later on, evolving into places for festivals and alternative arts in the late 90s.

While punk did focus on political issues and at the same time the punk scene was conflicted with their issues of drug and alcohol, squatting with the threats of violence and homelessness always in the mind of the punk members. an example of a punk squatter is the band Disorder. I believe that the squatting scene was important due to not only the situation of punk members, which were also known as ‘crusties’, living in the situation creating a culture from the growing numbers but from the scene “but from living in the inner cities where most schools are well they became more in touch with the political themes of their songs especially with the effects of Saint Paul right in the 1980s, as well as the culture of squatting. mentioning the band disorder the living culture of squatting was reflected in their music as they mainly sang about “drinking fighting and having fun as much as about squatting and attacking the establishment” (1 pg 188).

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References:

(1) Dines,M., Worley,M.(2016) Dirty squatters, anarchy, politics and smack: a journey through Bristol's squat punk milieu. In: Webb, P (2016) the aesthetic of our anger: Anarcho-Punk, Politics and Music. Brooklyn:Autonomedia, pp179-198

(2) Bateman, J. (2016). Memories of Bristol’s Best-Loved Squats. [online] Vice.com. Available from: https://www.vice.com/en/article/7bmapz/bristol-squats-magpie-telegraphic-heights-riots-demolition-diner [Accessed 7 Jun. 2021].