Topic: Folk Punk (Read 15796 times)

Plasticity · « **on:** 16 Jul 2008, 13:34 »

I have just discovered this genre recently, and I am really liking it. I went to a show a little while ago, and the crowd was really strange, hardcore punk kids and hipsters all having a romantic night out cuddling and listening to really sweet songs with angry lyrics. I also found out that it has been going on for a while, which means it presumably includes more than the 2 bands I've heard from the genre. Can anyone tell me more about this scene, or recommend bands that aren't Ghost Mice and Andrew Jackson Jihad? I really like the sound and would love to explore it more. If no one has any idea what I am talking about, I can upload some albums.

Kai · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 13:53 »

This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb!
Defiance, Ohio!
...most everything on Plan-It-X records.

I am going to see Ghost Mice on the 21st. I'm superbly excited for it.

celticgeek · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 14:00 »

A search for Folk Punk at: CD Baby came up with a bunch of music described as Folk Punk Rock. You can listen to selections of all the music on the web site. You might want to check it out.

A search at amazon.com also came up with a fairly long list of "folk punk" music.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 14:03 »

Holy shit, for once the place I live is AHEAD of the curve. The whole folk-punk thing has been HUGE in Knoxville for 3 years now. Ghost Mice, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, and way more that I can't remember have played punk house shows here dozens of times, and we even have an at-least-monthly event called "Folk Fight" where various weird acoustic acts play.

Of course I would contend that The Violent Femmes were the original folk-punk band.

Plasticity · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 14:06 »

Quote from: Kai on 16 Jul 2008, 13:53

This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb!
Defiance, Ohio!
...most everything on Plan-It-X records.

I am going to see Ghost Mice on the 21st. I'm superbly excited for it.

Yeah I just saw them, they were awesome. Are they playing with Heathers? If so, make sure you get there early enough to catch them, they blew Ghost Mice out of the water. It's two 18 year old Irish sisters singing really sweet harmonies that are also kind of angry.

Plasticity · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 14:22 »

No the Pouges are not at all part of this.

I am curious as well, is anyone actually part of this scene, per se? I am curious as to how long it has been going, what the deal with it is, I guess. I met some 18 year olds who were talking about doing acid, going on hitchiking trips, and giving themselves tattoos, but were also dressed in really nice clothes. What is this subculture about.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 14:27 »

This is a scene I could get into.

Also: The Weakerthans! (Sort of. They play both folk and punk, and sometimes crossovers.)

((Okay, maybe not The Weakerthans.))

I would really appreciate it if you could upload some albums. I tried finding This Bike is a Pipe Bomb and I got a hit for an album of theirs called "...Never Remember," but according to Wikipedia, it isn't an album of theirs.

Johnny C · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 14:32 »

Geoff Berner and poop to everyone who says otherwise.

Mr. Mojo · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 14:50 »

My ex liked folk-punk, and took me to a show in which a folk-punk band called Fake Problems played, it was terrible.

Scandanavian War Machine · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 15:00 »

i would sort of concede that Mother Mother could be called folk-punk....but then again what do i know?
and then there's Gogol Bordello but that's European folk and not American folk so technically it's the same, but really it's not.

and i posted this in the Media fire Thread a while back but here it is again because i think it's relevent:

Scott Biram - Dirty ol' One Man Band

Code: [Select]

http://www.mediaf!re.com/?4zoyyx0jwed

imapiratearg · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 15:02 »

I was thinking Gogol Bordello, too.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 15:06 »

To the extent that the scene is ideological, it's basically just like punk: black and white cheap flyers, house shows, drunken teenagers, but it also has at least a pretense to a connection to political activism so many folk-punk shows I've seen have a lot of neo-hippies along with the hippie-punx.

Have not noticed very many people over age 25 into this scene, seems largely ignored by indie rock world as, honestly, too many of the artists are terrible compared to how many are awesome.

So, I guess I just basically described punk rock.

Johnny C · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 15:44 »

Quote from: Scandanavian War Machine on 16 Jul 2008, 15:00

i would sort of concede that Mother Mother could be called folk-punk....but then again what do i know?

Unfortunately I cannot concede that they are an alright band.

Kai · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 15:53 »

Quote from: Plasticity on 16 Jul 2008, 14:06

Yeah I just saw them, they were awesome. Are they playing with Heathers? If so, make sure you get there early enough to catch them, they blew Ghost Mice out of the water. It's two 18 year old Irish sisters singing really sweet harmonies that are also kind of angry.

Yeah, they are. I am fairly familiar with Heathers, so I was definitely going to get there early enough. Glad to hear they put on a good show.

Most of the stuff being mentioned does not fall into this at all! Jackie/Zerodrone pretty much hit the nail on the head though.

Tom · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 16:01 »

Well, as long as it isn't anything like anti-folk.

Johnny C · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 16:04 »

Geoff Berner is seriously great, once again. Whether he fits into that culture or not isn't really relevant since he takes a punk attitude to traditional folk and klezmer music and also sounds awesome.

I don't know about the rest of these acts, I just know about Geoff Berner.

the Goat · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 16:19 »

Folk Punk reminds me of 2003. Against Me! was my favorite band ever from the release of the Crime! ep up through Reinventing Axl Rose. I started ordering things at random off of Plan-it-X's website, and most of the stuff are hits. I also got to see Plan-it-X fest when it went touring around the country, and even though I drove all the way up to VT alone to see it, it still ranks among one of my top shows ever.

After a while, though, the shows started getting disillusioning. Most Plan-it-X bands aren't spectacular, but they're good, and the DIY-ness of the whole enterprise gave it a lot of charm. The end for me came when I went to see the Ghost Mice in New Paltz and had to sit through the shitty SUNY hippy-sters opening bands. Unfortunately, earnestness isn't a replacement for decent songwriting.

If you haven't browsed through Plan-it-X Records' catalog, you should. It's not all strictly folk-punk, but most of it is very very good. Outside of that, beware.

ViolentDove · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 16:57 »

Can someone link to some more examples of this music?

'Cause if the Pogues aren't folk punk then I'm a bit confused.

Also is this band folk punk?

What about the Rabbinical School Dropouts?

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 17:02 »

I will upload my friend Anna Lou's album to the mediafire thread later. It is a good example of folk-punk that is not shit. She plays Ukulele and sings. It is quite pleasant stuff.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 17:23 »

So, wait, Folk Punk is a new thing now?

Oh, really?

the Goat · « **Reply #20 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 17:24 »

Quote from: ViolentDove on 16 Jul 2008, 16:57

Can someone link to some more examples of this music?

'Cause if the Pogues aren't folk punk then I'm a bit confused.

Also is this band folk punk?

What about the Rabbinical School Dropouts?

In this case, the term folk-punk (or RiotFolk as some people call it now) would refer to acoustic punk rock bands, or punk bands with a heavy American folk/country influence. Plan-it-X was the label to break this particular iteration big so most bands on that label get grouped in the genre even if it isn't really accurate (i.e., One Reason, Soophie Nun Squad, Max Levine Ensemble, etc.) The biggest thing is heavy adherence to DIY culture, the idea was that if you went acoustic, your band could play anywhere. AM! played in a laundromat, venues tend to be people's houses. There's also a similarity to crusty punks though they tend to have a more positive outlook on things.

The Pogues, Flogging Molly and Gogol Bordello could be called "folk-punk", but there not that same as some of the other bands mentioned. But now they can have their own handy genre name, ethno-punk, ethno-core, go hog wild.

Inlander · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 18:13 »

Quote from: the Goat on 16 Jul 2008, 17:24

(or RiotFolk as some people call it now)

Please can we never ever ever use that term on this forum ever again.

Bayley · « **Reply #22 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 19:52 »

Quote from: Kai on 16 Jul 2008, 13:53

This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb!
Defiance, Ohio!
...most everything on Plan-It-X records.

I am going to see Ghost Mice on the 21st. I'm superbly excited for it.

Yes! Defiance, Ohio! is fuckin swell.

Is it true that the 1999-2001 Against Me! is the source of this genre? Or should I just never trust music journalism?

Catacombs · « **Reply #23 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 20:03 »

Against Me! are the shit. It's too bad i didn't get into them until like four or five months ago, but they're still awesome.

Bayley · « **Reply #24 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 20:27 »

I can't say I enjoy their latest record or very much the one before it, but when I listen to that old stuff man, I get teary-eyed. I sing along with religious fervor.

i want a scene where the music is free and the beer is not the life of the party. and there's no need to shit-talk or impress because honesty and emotion are not looked down upon. and every promise that's made and bragged is meant if not kept. we'd do it all because we have to, not because we know why. beyond gender, race and class we could find what really holds us back. and we'll make everybody sing that they are the beginning and ending of everything.

And we are all stronger than everything they taught us that we should fear.

Gridgm · « **Reply #25 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 20:37 »

do the drop kick murpheys count?

Moist Cowboy · « **Reply #26 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 20:41 »

Gotta say Against me! and This bike is a pipe bomb. are two of my favorite of the genre.

ViolentDove · « **Reply #27 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 20:43 »

Quote from: the Goat on 16 Jul 2008, 17:24

In this case, the term folk-punk (or RiotFolk as some people call it now) would refer to acoustic punk rock bands, or punk bands with a heavy American folk/country influence. Plan-it-X was the label to break this particular iteration big so most bands on that label get grouped in the genre even if it isn't really accurate (i.e., One Reason, Soophie Nun Squad, Max Levine Ensemble, etc.) The biggest thing is heavy adherence to DIY culture, the idea was that if you went acoustic, your band could play anywhere. AM! played in a laundromat, venues tend to be people's houses. There's also a similarity to crusty punks though they tend to have a more positive outlook on things.

The Pogues, Flogging Molly and Gogol Bordello could be called "folk-punk", but there not that same as some of the other bands mentioned. But now they can have their own handy genre name, ethno-punk, ethno-core, go hog wild.

Right, thanks for clearing that up!

P.S. Please don't use the terms ethno-punk or ethno-core either, it makes me die a little inside.

the Goat · « **Reply #28 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 20:58 »

Quote from: Bayley on 16 Jul 2008, 19:52

Quote from: Kai on 16 Jul 2008, 13:53
This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb!
Defiance, Ohio!
...most everything on Plan-It-X records.

I am going to see Ghost Mice on the 21st. I'm superbly excited for it.

Yes! Defiance, Ohio! is fuckin swell.

Is it true that the 1999-2001 Against Me! is the source of this genre? Or should I just never trust music journalism?

It's sort of vague who could be the true source, it's kind of a "zeitgeist" thing. Jeff Ott had been doing the re-invented folk/punk hero for a while before Against Me! released Crime. But, IMO, Against Me! were the best example of the potential of the genre and proved to everyone the possibility of having punk rock with acoustic guitars, so I would say they deserve the most credit for making people give a shit about that kind of music. Of course, as soon as they could, they jumped ship...soooo, take from that what you will.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #29 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 21:22 »

Some Dead Milkmen songs are kind of folk-y. Although, they're supposedly a satirical punk band.

Johnny C · « **Reply #30 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 22:34 »

TOO MANY GENRES SPOIL THE ART FORM

David_Dovey · « **Reply #31 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 23:08 »

Silly rabbit, punk rock isn't art.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #32 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 23:35 »

Quote from: Bayley on 16 Jul 2008, 20:27

i want a scene where the music is free and the beer is not the life of the party. and there's no need to shit-talk or impress because honesty and emotion are not looked down upon.

I hate to tell you (and Efrim Manuck) but this will never happen.

I wish it would too, but seriously, I don't see it.

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #33 on:** 16 Jul 2008, 23:40 »

Bayley · « **Reply #34 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 12:06 »

Quote from: zerodrone on 16 Jul 2008, 23:35

Quote from: Bayley on 16 Jul 2008, 20:27
i want a scene where the music is free and the beer is not the life of the party. and there's no need to shit-talk or impress because honesty and emotion are not looked down upon.

I hate to tell you (and Efrim Manuck) but this will never happen.

I wish it would too, but seriously, I don't see it.

yeah i know. it's more of an ideal, hence why i love the song so much. it's like worship music for my inner anarchist.

Catacombs · « **Reply #35 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 13:04 »

Quote from: Bayley on 16 Jul 2008, 20:27

i want a scene where the music is free and the beer is not the life of the party. and there's no need to shit-talk or impress because honesty and emotion are not looked down upon. and every promise that's made and bragged is meant if not kept. we'd do it all because we have to, not because we know why. beyond gender, race and class we could find what really holds us back. and we'll make everybody sing that they are the beginning and ending of everything.

And we are all stronger than everything they taught us that we should fear.

This is one of my favorite songs by them. Oh, and i checked out This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb today, particularly Front Seat Solidarity. They're great! I like the "body count" song a lot.

I find this genre funny because i'm not a big folk fan, and i'm not a punk fan, but i love this genre

imapiratearg · « **Reply #36 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 13:27 »

This genre is like the lovechild of my two favorite types of music.

Saudade · « **Reply #37 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 05:06 »

How can this be discussed without Belle and Sebastian being brought up?
I mean seriously, people reckon they are pop but i put them as gypsy punk/folk punk.

Saudade · « **Reply #38 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 05:39 »

Surely you jest madam?
In all honesty I meant what I said.

Inlander · « **Reply #39 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 06:53 »

Would you mind providing us with your particular definition of "punk"?

Catacombs · « **Reply #40 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 07:15 »

Quote from: Anyways on 19 Jul 2008, 07:04

But don't you see? Even the definition of punk has rebelled! it doesn't conform to the binding shackles of music styles or words!

Everything is punk!

I somehow think this is going to cause a musical black hole

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #41 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 13:26 »

Quote from: Saudade on 19 Jul 2008, 05:06

How can this be discussed without Belle and Sebastian being brought up?
I mean seriously, people reckon they are pop but i put them as gypsy punk/folk punk.

BlahBlah · « **Reply #42 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 13:34 »

Is Billy Bragg folk-punk then?

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #43 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 13:38 »

I give up on this thread. The particular movement/genre we're talking about has been explained like 30 times already, people.

Bayley · « **Reply #44 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 13:47 »

Quote from: BlahBlah on 19 Jul 2008, 13:34

Is Billy Bragg folk-punk then?

it seems by any musical definition he would be, yeah? he always seemed like a perfect mixture of the two to me, complete with appropriately socialistic politics.

i'm just gonna say he's great and leave it there.

Johnny C · « **Reply #45 on:** 19 Jul 2008, 15:59 »

The genre's been explained literally once, as this:

Quote from: the Goat on 16 Jul 2008, 17:24

acoustic punk rock bands

which would probably make just as much sense if they were wedged under "punk," because I honestly don't follow the logic in lumping bands into a particular genre because they play a certain kind of guitar, and

Quote from: the Goat on 16 Jul 2008, 17:24

punk bands with a heavy American folk/country influence

which would be fine, maybe, but it's both exclusionary and nebulous. I just came back from a folk festival which was called just that - a folk festival, not an American folk festival. If anything else should get a different genre name, it should be punk based on American folk - call it Americana-punk or something. Also what about cowpunk and shit like that? Don't we already have names for that?

I think I've figured out what has my hackles up about this thread, and that it's just a bunch of people being pedantic and telling each other "that's not folk-punk, this is." That's pretty lame.

valley_parade · « **Reply #46 on:** 20 Jul 2008, 10:20 »

White York!

WHITE FUCKING YORK!

Nodaisho · « **Reply #47 on:** 20 Jul 2008, 14:00 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 16 Jul 2008, 22:34

TOO MANY GENRES SPOIL THE ART FORM

How? It doesn't change the thing, just the definition of the thing. Rose by any other name and whatnot.

Nodaisho · « **Reply #48 on:** 20 Jul 2008, 15:47 »

You mean in the real world I can't cast magic missile at the darkness?

Gridgm · « **Reply #49 on:** 20 Jul 2008, 15:50 »

of course not a grue will eat you if you try

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Folk Punk (Read 15796 times)

Plasticity

Plasticity

Plasticity

Mr. Mojo

Saudade

Saudade