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Subcultures in the United States 1970-2000s

The first part of the article about the history of US subcultures has already been told about zutyz, bikers, hipsters, beatniks and hippies. Today we will talk about subcultures, the central element of which was music and the search for a new sound.

Punk 70s

After the bright youth movements of the 40-60s, subcultural stagnation occurred in America. There was a failure between generations. The internal problems of society were exhausted: racial intolerance was gradually eradicated, regional and ethnic issues were resolved peacefully. People are accustomed to constantly changing movements. And without novelty, there is no sharpness necessary for the counterculture.

Young people are stuck in a routine. Until England presented the subculture with its actively gaining popularity to the USA, and its name is punk (English punk — “scum”).

Subcultures in the United States 1970-2000s — Photo punk band Ramones — American ButlerTo understand who the punks are, you can remember hippies — and do the opposite. Instead of harmony with the world - aggression and sabotage. Instead of unity with nature - urbanism and "landfill" life. Melodious songs were replaced by amateurish street rock, and a positive and easy style of dressing — black leather jackets, spikes, heavy boots. That was punk on the outskirts of London.

In America, London punk mixed with literary Paris, and a new, alternative subculture appeared. She quickly became elite, unlike in England, where the lumpens, the lower middle and working classes, became punks. In the USA, the significance of this subculture was poeticizing the dark sides of people, nightlife, and giving bohemian addiction to drug addictions. In the center of the movement stood the music flowing from the garages to the small clubs.

Television, The Velvet Underground, the Ramones and the beatniks singer Patti Smith are becoming popular in the US, and then around the world.

The punk image was sharply conspicuous: shirts with screaming inscriptions, collars, colorful hair, packed with sharp spikes, badges and rivets.

Soon the image of punk became so popular that punk bands start calling on television, radio, and they conclude contracts with them. Subculture, which put itself against society and all previous cultures, was at the mercy of show business. A new subculture crisis has begun.

Black subcultures in the USA — photo of hip-hop group of the 80s — American Butler

The return of the "black" subcultures, or hip-hop 80s

When everyone was accustomed to the fact that the new trends were a matter of whites, blacks from the New York ghettos reminded themselves of themselves.

Subculture Grunge in the USA in the 90s — photo Pearl Jam — American ButlerHip-hop as a movement originated on the streets of the Bronx among African-American youth from working-class families. The main thing is the confrontation against the authorities, the police, injustice.

Hip-hop as a subculture includes several types of areas:

  • musical: rap, hip-hop (English hip — moving parts of the body ; hop — movement);
  • dance: break dance;
  • Fine: graffiti.

Members of this counterculture called B-Boys (B-boys; b from the word «beat» — punch, rhythm) and flaygerlz (flygirls). Capes, bandanas, baggy clothes, simple T-shirts, sports shoes and a huge amount of massive jewelry: chains, rings, bracelets became distinctive features of the style.

The Sugarhill Gang band opened the ghetto music in 1979 to a wider US audience with the single Rapper' s Delight. Following the band appeared Run DMC, Mantronix, Beastie Boys, MC Hammer, Kris Kross, etc.

Hip-hop began to divide within itself into various trends and still firmly occupies the lion's share of the music market.

Popular subcultures in America — photo grunge band Nirvana — American Butler

Grunge 90's

Another subculture appeared in America, again, thanks to England. Having felt the crisis of punks, the youth again found itself in search of alternative self-expression. Thus was born the current "Indie" (eng. From independent — independent).

This movement has absorbed elements of many other US subcultures: simplicity in clothes and the lack of money of beatniks, “Swinging London” hairstyles, torn jeans and heavy punks shoes. After the albums My bloody Valentine, The Smiths, Joy Division poured into the American music market, US youth picked up a new trend, reinterpreting it in their own way.

So, in Seattle, the subculture of grunge originated (English. Grunge — dirt). The musical sound was rather unusual: a mixture of American rock and English punk; the themes of the texts were distinguished by their gloominess, apathy, loneliness.

Popularity gain group Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam. Soon the same story happened with the grunge as with punk — the subculture becomes mainstream and loses its relevance among the revolutionary youth. After familiarizing with popular culture, the worldwide popularity of grunge is growing, but is losing its true adherents.

The history of American subcultures after the seventies — photo emo — American ButlerEmotional zeros

The story of the next American subculture is rather unusual. Its origins lie already in the 80s of the last century, but it gained its popularity only in our zero years. It is, of course, about emo (English, from emotional — emotional).

The abundance of violence and hardcore punk gave rise to musical opposition: the lyrical, romantic, sometimes tearful subject of songs put on rock music. But this emotional scene did not last long.

About the unusual for underground music theme was remembered only in the late 90s with the arrival of such performers as My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World, etc. The peak of the popularity of emo music came in the 2000s. Since this time, we can talk about the emo subculture that has taken shape.

Adherents of this trend are called emo-fight, emo-girl or emo-kids (born kids — children). Emo romanticize depression, melancholy, death, love suffering. A subculture participant can be distinguished in a crowd due to their particular style: skinny jeans and multi-colored tight shirts, black oblique bangs, badges, shoulder bags, multi-colored hair strands, piercings, etc. Some representatives can be found to this day.

No matter what kind of music you prefer to listen to or which subculture you like, American Butler will be able to organize a memorable holiday: visiting rock concerts, grunge festivals, hip-hop battles and many others.

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  • 1.Receiving discounts and bonuses
  • 2.Comments and ratings
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Registration via social network
Registration advantages:
  • 1.Receiving discounts and bonuses
  • 2.Comments and ratings
  • 3.Secure payments
  • 4.Payment history
  • 5.Subscribe to news and updates
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