Punk rock is more than a music genre. It is a fashion trend, a social statement and a lifestyle different from any other. Initially, punk was fast, loud and sometimes warped. Frequently debated and full of bubbling energy, punk became an ideology and an artistic approach that transformed into the poster child for youth revolt and alienation. Punk had a loner vibe to it and the music felt unfinished and low in production value. Punk was about challenging the norm and making bold statements. It was often controversial, offensive and upsetting. Punk enthusiasts were seen as outsiders and social misfits. The Stooges, one of the earliest punk rock band, were famous for their confrontational concerts that regularly involved self-mutilation (Erlewine).Despite being difficult, attaining authenticity is one of the cornerstones of punk music (Traber 55).
In order for the story to be told in Dum Dum Boys, the music they listened to is very important. For example, the do-it-yourself attitude in punk music is witnessed when Joy gathers some friends and music fans who communicate put forward their provocative views through hand-made posters plastered all over New York’s east side (Joy 109). The book comprises of rants through which the narrator expresses his views. Just like punk music, these views are often wild, short, impulsive, edgy, and generally unconventional. Without understanding punk music, a reader would be quick to overlook the meaning in the seemingly random angry curse-filled rants instead of recognizing the unencumbered public declaration of personal opinions that made the foundation for other artists to explode on the internet. These rants enable the reader to explore how we use music to share our emotions and make sense of memories, which is the message of the stories.

Works Cited

Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. “The Stooges | Biography & History | Allmusic”. Allmusic, 2021, https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-stooges-mn0000562304/biography.

Joy, Camden. Lost Joy. Verse Chorus Press, 2015.

Traber, Daniel S. “L.A.’S &Quot;White Minority&Quot;: Punk And The Contradictions Of Self-Marginalization”. Cultural Critique, vol 48, no. 1, 2001, pp. 30-64. Project Muse, doi:10.1353/cul.2001.0040. Accessed 9 Feb 2021.