Are Subcultures a Sign of Revolt or an Expression of Style?

As someone who used to be part of one, I can first handedly say that subcultures are a combination of revolt, as well as an expression of style. During my time as a punk (or so I believed I was, aged 15), the music and clothing was what meant the most to me, and this made it more of an expression of style. The bands I liked touched on some of the more obscure, overlooked problems in society, which although we didnt touch on at school, I experienced at home. Bands such as Rancid, Sex Pistols, and Green Day made me question everything from my upbringing, through to my existence. With this is mind, anything which I found I didnt agree with or like, made me revolt. When I did revolt though, it wasnt like some other people I knew, in the sense it was all verbal, and not physical. I liked to express my views in a constructive manner. Although my punk days are over, I can honestly say they were some of the best times Ive had. Whilst general perception is it is bad, I disagree. Like anything in life, there is no such thing as a bad group, only bad people.

Can Popular Music Ever Really Be Unplugged?

In this day and age, I feel it is impossible for music to expand and fulfil its full potential without the aid of electroic technology. Sure, both gospel music and folk can exist without electronics, but when you still consider like other genres they rely on CD's in order to reach large audiences and expand, then this seems useless. Without amplification you would not have concerts, CD's, computers that can play music. The music industry as we know it would fall to pieces and die. Artists rely on technology to make them, whether it is setting up a simple Myspace page or releasing an album for the masses to download. Either way, technology plays a major role in todays industry. Especially in the world we live in, when every one wants what they want when they want it. Dont get me wrong, popular music would still exist to some degree but it would be unrecognisable.