Impacts of Drugs on the Trend of Punk Music Essay Example

were not believed to influence the music, but the type of music was suggested to influence use of drugs.
In 1937, the former Director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Harry Anslinger was able to persuade the Congress that the use marijuana should be illegalized. However, he based his arguments that the use of marijuana was the cause for the production of the punk music. According to Harry’s argument, the type of drug use influenced the kind of music produced. This, in a sense, associated the rap, jazz, rock and punk music with hard drugs while classical music was linked to drinks like wine. Numerous studies, however, have shown that the birth of punk music was not linked to the use of such drugs as marijuana, but the use of these drugs was developed latter in as the fan base of this music genre began to grow. Research by Chen showed that the punk music was fun during its birth but since it joined by the bands that had the belief that music without drugs is not music; the music genre has changed enormously as to relate the musicians with drugs.
Sex Pistols, a punk group that produced music in their pleasure, was created in 1975 by McLaren without Sid Vicious. In the band, Sid managed to perform only eight of the band’s concerts after which they broke up following various conflicts of interest. One of the issues that fed the breakaway of the band included the increased drug use and the tension that arose between Nancy Spungen, Sid’s girlfriend, and Sid’s band mates, (Vermorel). Some of the members of the group like Rotten compelled Sid to

break up with his girlfriend and this fueled the breakup of Sex Pistols. The escalation of Sid’s drug use has been described to be as a result of meeting his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, who have been shown to introduce Vicious in the use of heroin. After the breakup of Sex Pistols, Sid and Nancy moved to New York City where Sid’s manager became. During this period, the performance of Sid was significantly influenced by the drugs he used and this enormously affected his performances. The couple spent most of their time under the influence of the barbiturates, heroin and the synthetic forms of morphine.
On 12th October 1978, Nancy Spungen was found dead on the floor of the bathroom in their room in Chelsea Hotel. She was stubbed by the knife that she bought Sid as a present. On the other hand, Vicious was found lying in a hallway completely in a drug induced fog. When asked about the incident that occurred in his room, he could not remember what happened but later confessed that he killed his girlfriend. He was then charged with a second-degree. After a few days, Sid used the money that was put by his record company to bail himself out. He later attempted to commit suited after feeling very despondent over the death of Nancy. His life after the jail was so reckless that he got involved in fights with fans and fellow musicians in clubs. He was jailed again for seven weeks after engaging in a fight in New York City club. After being released on 1st of February, he organized a party in celebration of his freedom at the

home of Michelle Robinson. Later in the evening, he drugged himself back to heroin use and the next morning he was found succumbed to the drug overdose, (Vermorel).
Even though Sid was the commonly known drug addict in the Sex Pistols, John Lydon, the band’s ringleader, has had a rotten past under the influence of drugs. However, his involvement with the drug was never showcased out at work as did Sid Vicious. In an interview with Kory Grow, Lydon mentioned that he saw drugs as recreational paraphernalia, and they should not be brought to workplaces, (Vermorel). This proves Chris Adolf’s point that drugs are not necessary for any activity.
Drugs have also been related to the listeners of the punk music. Different bands had various ideologies about different drugs and that influenced the use of the drugs. Straight Edge is a subculture in the punk music which means that drugs are not necessary for the performance or for one to have a good time. It was coined by Ian MacKaye following the disappearance of various punks such as Sid Vicious, who succumbed to death. Different bands stood for the straight edge. These included the Minor Threat, NOFX the Anti-Flag, and many others. These bands championed the movement towards a sober generation, (Kuhn). The step that was taken by The Minor Threat was a big influence on the bands like The Teen Idles, DYS, The SOA and SS Decontrol. These bands expanded on the ideology thus escalating the presence the Straight Edge movement, (Kuhn).
The straight edge bands majorly aimed at sensitizing the teenage audience of the impacts of the drug. The punk community noticed that for them to

create an impact in the lives others, that is, making them abstain from the drugs and other harmful societal intoxicants, the movement had to spring out from the punk community, (Kuhn).
Among the bands that were against the Straight Edge movement was the Leftover Crack, which in their song, Atheist Anthem, mocks Straight Edge in the lyrics:
"And all the boys in the straight-edge scene
are in the basement huffing gasoline
Dead, dead, dead, dead."
The band, Minor Threat, contributed to the success of Straight Edge by producing an inspirational song dubbed ‘Straight Edge’. In the song, the artists provided a brief summary of an interpretation of Ian MacKaye about Straight Edge ideology in their opening lines.
"I'm a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and fuck my head
Hang out with the living dead."
The minor threat did also support the movement in their later two songs "Out of Step (With the World)" and "In My Eyes". However, their effort to support the movement was met with strong criticisms from the opposing fronts such as the Allmusic and the Pitchfork Media. Blake Buttler from the Allmusic describes a philosophy of the movement as being an anthemic and pulse-pounding manifesto, (Kuhn).
The Black Flag, a band that known for its controversial reunions after numerous breaks, is among other bands that supported the Straight Edge movement indirectly. An interview with Henry Rollins, one of the band’s longest existing member, revealed that the classic and the radical punk dude was never involved in any drug activity. He doesn’t do any drugs like alcohol and does not smoke. In the interview, he said, “You don’t need drugs man, all you need

is a very good idea to get off.” This was one of the greatest statements that he ever revealed despite being known for his manic demeanor and harsh words. However, he was arrested in 1991 on suspicions of murdering his friend Joe Cole. This was suspected to be an action under the influence of hard drugs like morphine, but Rollins proved innocent of being under the influence of any drug activity.
Members of other bands such Dave Peters of Throwdown band had different ideologies about being straight. According to him, being straight edge is a personal choice, and people should not show respect to those who share their philosophies. When asked an interview of what he thinks about straight edge, he said:
"I don’t gauge my respect for someone based on whether or not they share my beliefs. Straight edge is a choice you recognize as your choice and not someone else’s. One of the biggest problems I have with straight edge kids these days is the same one I had with different straight edge kids when I was younger, which is trying to push that belief on others. You wouldn’t want someone telling you how to live your life.”
This idea was shared with all the other bands that were against the movement. Most critics believed that punk fans should not be followers but stand out for their ideologies which they described to be what made them unique.
Another band called The Clash also proved their support for a straight edge through some of their few songs. One of the songs that portrayed the band as anti-drugs is Hateful written during the Vanilla rehearsals in 1979, (Bowe). Another

song that proved the stand of The Clash is Drug-Stabbing Time from their album "Give 'Em Enough Rope," which is heavily antidrug. The lyrics of this song possessed a lot of credibilities as the band tried to flee away from the use of hard drugs during London Calling Sessions. In the song, the band portrayed how helpless it is when one gets addicted to heroin.
"Anything I want he gives it, but not for free. It's hateful, and it's paid for, and I'm so grateful to be nowhere."
This song seemed to have been inspired by the tragic death of Sid Vicious, who succumbed to death over heroin overdose. The song expresses emotions over Sid’s death by referring to him in the lyrics that:
This year I've lost some friends
Some friends? What friends?
I dunno, I ain't even notice.
The use of drugs among punk musicians has been fogged by a lot of philosophies which contradicts each other. Some musicians had ideologies that never seem to show any stand. Research by Tom Hawking about the impact of the drug on the creativity of musicians revealed that the musicians’ behavior at the beginning of their career is a product of many years of refinement, (Hawking). This is period then followed by intense strains following the expectations of their fans, which making them get deeply dug in the use of drugs. This shows the reason why most musicians such as Sid Vicious, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin died during the highest point of their career and addiction. Some musicians, however, believe that following the life stories of these artists, drugs are essential for artists to reach the highest level of

greatness.

Works cited

• Bowe, Brian J. The Clash: Punk Rock Band. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2011. Print.
• Hawking, Tom. "Going Clean: Drugs And Creativity In The Lives Of 10 Musicians". Flavorwire. N.p., 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. http://flavorwire.com/194648/going-clean- drugs-and-creativity-in-the-lives-of-10-musicians
• Kuhn, Gabriel. Sober Living for the Revolution: Hardcore Punk, Straight Edge, and Radical Politics. Oakland, CA: PM Press, 2010. Internet resource.
• Vermorel, Fred. Sex Pistols: The Inside Story. London: Omnibus Press, 2006. Print.