I ran across this and thought it might interest some here.
imho, longhairs today could be the modern day equivalent of old school punks since there seem to be fewer per capita(most guys have short hair at present time), but this guy does make a point in his article.
I know Val has already pointed out some interesting facts that not old school punks had mohawks or short hair.
how many of you feel that longhairs are more punk today than the ones who seem to have a uniform look?
My Long Hair is More Punk Than Your Mohawk
I can see the thought process that leads to this conclusion, but I would have to disagree overall. In many cases, long hair can be very sophisticated and stylish, whereas the punk label insinuates something more extreme and purposely distracting. To be honest, if I thought my long hair looked "punk" I would cut it.
I think what he was hitting on is the actual conformity which exists within these so-called "non-conformist" groups and he is right.
long hair can look very stylish, however it can look quite messy as well. it can be clean, but it can also be quite dirty and unkempt.
I think the key is to be an individual. I have no desire to emulate the "Grunge" look anymore than I have to shave my head into a mohawk and wear liberty spikes, but if some want to do it go for it, but don't do it to fit into a social group. do it because you want and listen to the music you like, but do not let rigid musical style stereotypes dictate your hairstyle or wardrobe.
one can still be a punk fan with waist length hair and one can be a die-hard metal fan with a buzzcut.
personally, I always thought the "grunge" style reminded me of some homeless guy who had not taken a shower in three months and/or brushed or combed his hair in six months, but that is my opinion.
long neat hair looks best imho.
n/t
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That guy put way too much bias and thought into his hair. Punk isn't necessarily about always being different, it's about looking and acting like you want to. He assumes that everyone who has short hair or a mohawk in the punk scene only does because that's the style. And same for tattoos and piercings. Maybe they just damn well feel like having that hair or that art. I think the guy that write this just completely missed the mark.
The Ramones were a punk band and they all had longish hair, but they were an exception really. I liked them and wasn't so keen on other punk bands, maybe partly because of the music, but perhaps also partly due to open hostility from common-or-garden spiky haired punks, who even went as far as chasing me down the street on one occasion.