Genre Characteristics and

Expectations- Post-Punk

What is Post-Punk?
Post-punk literally means after punk.
This means it is a genre that was created after the creation of punk which formed in the 70s.
It was developed in the 1980s by bands such as: Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Smiths, New Model Army and The
Cure.
It then saw a revival in the early 2000s with bands such as The Strokes, Bloc Party and the Killers.

What Does it Sounds Like?

It has the same instrumentation as punk and rock music, with a
typical line up: a singer, a bass guitarist, a guitarist and a drummer.
It is usually less aggressive than punk music, with a lower tempo and
played less chaotically.
Its known for sounding quite dark, with low pitched vocals.

Image

Post-punk is no exception, as a sub-genre of punk and rock, as having a very

alternative and striking appearance.
Clothing- Black is the dominant colour, with white usually contrasting it. Often
photo shoots are shot in black and white, as well clothes being black. Leather is
also worn a lot, sometimes with a white shirt under it, to create a white/black
contrast.
Hair style- hair is often long and messy or in mohicans.
Makeup- the genre of post-punk is affiliated with a certain style of make-up, with
people whitening their face to make it pale, and then using darker make-up
around their eyes.

Lyric Ideas and Common Themes

Narrative lyrics- the lyrics often tell a story.
Emotional lyrics- post-punk lyricists are often very open with their feelings, which
is reflected in the lyrics. The typical mood and tone of the lyrics are melancholy
or sad.
Anti- Establishment/ political- because of being a strand of punk rock music, it
often inherits politicisation. Political lyrics can discuss anti-establishment ideas or
social struggles.
Dark Lyrics- post-punk, with its association to gothic rock, often has gloomy and
moody lyrics. This comes from the topics discussed, such as death, political and
social struggle or failed relationships.

Lyrical Ideas and Common Themes

Or is it that we were eating
While other people were starving?
Is this our crime? New Model
Army

And if a double-decker bus

Crashes in to us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die. The
Smiths

She believes in angels, she believes in the will of the

Gods, and shes dancing amongst the magic dust.
The Mission

Run around in the radiation

Run around in the acid rain
On a
Black
Black planet. The Sisters of Mercy