POST PUNK TOTE BAG – BLACK

We are all POST PUNK. Reflecting the musical heritage of our brand the caption is a statement that We can all be Post Punk in our attitude.

Punk had burst onto the scene in 1976 with its aggressive, raw energy; confrontational lyrics and rhythm guitars spewing out arrangements that were totally unorthodox. It was a moment of revolution, overturning what had gone before. Kicking out the old guard, without a plan as to how the new guard might sound. Though Punk had not run its full course: it continued, and continues to this day with its music, spirit and attitude still in practice. But by 1978, it fell on the next wave of bands to exploit the change that had been bought about. Hence Post Punk began to emerge.

It’s impossible to give a start date or the name of the instigator of Post Punk. Pere Ubu had been turning out a Post Punk sound even before Punk had turned up. Bowie and Iggy Pop had been experimenting in that world too. Though we can probably point to Public Image Ltd as being the first, true Post Punk outfit. PiL picked up Punk and reinterpreted it- almost as an art form. They added new elements, including Reggae and Krautrock (think Can, Neu and Kraftwerk). As PIL featured the legendary John Lydon as frontman, it was a clear sign that this was the evolution after the revolution.

Following on from PiL came a wave- or more like a tide- of bands that were wholly Post Punk. Joy Division, XTC, the Cure, the Slits, the Psychedelic Furs, Adam and the Ants, Duritti Column, Killing Joke, the Membranes, Visage and the Fall. The sound was experimental, spacious, minimalist, even messy and bleak at times. These bands were soon followed by The Smiths, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Mogwai: all with Post Punk DNA at their core. And it didn’t stop there – continuing into the 2000’s with Interpol, The Killers, The Horrors, Foals and Eagulls- all bands with a lineage that can be traced back to Post Punk.

Post Punk is the refining of the raw art form of Punk. Lyrics don’t shout protest like Punk; but explain, discuss, contexualise political and social issues. Overwhelmingly independent, usually experimental, often Avant Garde, mostly monochrome, artistically diverse, continually moving forward and always Post.

If you like the Post Punk Tote Bag then you might also like some of our other POST PUNK products including this hand manufactured Enamel badge or the Post Punk Sweatshirt.