SUBCULTURE
CONTENTS 1. SUBCULTURE 2. CLOTHING 3. HAIR 4. SPEECH 5. MUSIC 6. AUTHORS NOTE
SUBCULTURE AN INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE
Greasers are the American youth subculture equivalent of Britain’s ‘Rockers’. They originated in the 1950’s amongst teenagers in the northeastern and southern areas of the United States. Two iconic figures that represented the Greaser look are the commonly known Marlon Brando and James dean. Greasers were commonly looked at as the ‘troubled youth’ of America and they were in fact one of the first ‘street gangs’ to grow in America. They could often be found hanging out in their ‘hoods,’ (a slang word for ‘neighbourhood,’ commonly used to present recognition to their territory) and they were therefore also commonly known as ‘hoods’
THE NAME
The greasers of took their name from the “Greaser Act,” which was a law created in California against Mexicans to protect the people of California from Mexicans who were unarmed, but not peaceful or quiet people. The name “Greaser” was given to the Mexicans that greased carts in the mid1800’s. This job was one of the worst jobs that anyone could have, which made the name “Greaser” one of utmost disrespect. When the teens in the 1950’s and 1960’s adopted the name “Greaser,” they did so with the ambition appearing rebellious to the outside perspective. They embraced this rebellious nature and it became an identifying aspect of the American subculture. Greasers were almost always young white men that needed to rebel and they expressed this rebellious nature largely through their look and attitude The name is also commonly associated with the signature slicked back ‘greasy’ hair, which is iconic to the greaser appearance. Famous names such as Elvis can be seen sporting this hairstyle and making it known to be the idealist necessity of becoming a greaser and looking ‘tough’ doing it. The look was mainly achieved by using a heavy pomade (commonly brill cream) and combing it back into a neat ‘pompadour’ style.
THERE IS NO WAY TO BE TRULY GREAT IN THIS WORLD. WE ARE ALL IMPALED ON THE CROOK OF CONDITIONING.
JAMES DEAN
INSIGHT EXTRACT FROM “THE OUTSIDERS”
I went on walking home, thinking about the movie, and then suddenly wishing I had some company. Greasers can’t walk alone too much or they’ll get jumped, or someone will come by and scream “Greaser!” at them, which doesn’t make you feel too hot, if you know what I mean. We get jumped by the Socs. I’m not sure how you spell it, but it’s the abbreviation for the Socials, the jet set, the West-side rich kids. It’s like the term
“greaser,” which is used to class all us boys on the East Side. We’re poorer than the Socs and the middle class. I reckon we’re wilder, too. Not like the Socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses and throw beer blasts for kicks, and get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next. Greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive
old souped-up cars and hold up gas stations and have a gang fight once in a while, I don’t mean I do things like that. Darry would kill me if I got into trouble with the police. Since Mom and Dad were killed in an auto wreck, the three of us get to stay together only as long as we behave. So Soda and I stay out of trouble as much as we can, and we’re careful not to get caught when we can’t. I only mean that most greasers do things like
that, just like we wear our hair long and dress in blue jeans and T-shirts, or leave our shirttails out and wear leather jackets and tennis shoes or boots. I’m not saying that either Socs or greasers are better; that’s just the way things are.
CLOTHING AN INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE
THE JEANS Although not the most important part of a greasers wardrobe, the jeans were still highly fundamental in creating the perfect greaser appearance. Predominantly straight fit and light blue, the jeans were slim enough to provide a fitted, stylish appearance but still baggy enough to be typically masculine. Perhaps the most commonly worn model were the Levis 501s, a straight fit classic model of jean that was hard wearing and yet perfectly compatible with the famous subculture. As greasers were typically made up of the poorer class of people, the fact that these jeans were so hard wearing made them very economical and convenient as they lasted a long time and could be paired with many fundamental outfits. A true manifestation of the term ‘macho’ and therefore perfect for the typical American hood.
T H E If one were to consider what might be the most fundamental item of a greasers wardrobe they would more than likely come to the conclusion of the notorious leather jacket. Predominantly black leather biker jackets, these were worn as a sign of
J A C K E T one’s rebelliousness in society and a display of one’s tough nature. Where a peacock would fan its feathers, a greaser would pop their collar and demonstrate a display of utmost masculinity. Perhaps the epitome of style combined with manliness, these jackets were usually close fitted and short in length. They were often accessorized with various patches and badges and paired with the white tucked in t shirt, they proved for a perfect representation of ones greaser lifestyle.
THE SHIRT That plain, white, cuffed sleeve t shirt. How much more manly can you get? These t shirts were worn typically as a display of masculinity. Greasers liked showing off, they liked appearing tough‌ hard, and these t shirts are a perfect example of that. They were usually slim fitted and almost always tucked into the jeans, demonstrating a tapered waist and v-shaped upper body. Greasers were known for working out, getting lean muscular physiques, which is only expectable considering how much of their nature revolved around appearing masculine and tough. These shirts were their way of showing that progress in the gym. Along with the slim fit, shirt sleeves were usually rolled up to flaunt often rippling biceps. Sometimes they would roll their cigarette boxes under the cuff of the sleeve not only for convenience but also as a badge of rebelliousness. These shirts were usually white, sometimes black and almost always plain in appearance. Graphic tees hadn’t yet come into fashion and the plain appearance made for a more mature yet stylish and compatible look. Simply a staple to the greaser wardrobe.
ACCESSORIES THE GLASSES
Glasses were often worn by greasers to look ‘cool’ and ‘tough’. They were able to take away part of their own identity by hiding their eyes with dark lenses and in turn associating themselves deeper with their subculture. Who can deny how cool a nice pair of ray bans can look with the right outfit? THE BELT
This was not a staple, but a nice leather belt was an often accompaniment to a greasers outfit. They looked good breaking the line between their tucked in shirt and straight fit jeans, and as these jeans weren’t too tight a belt obviously did well at performing its standard function. Not only were these a stylish accessory, but a convenient one at that.
THE SHOES
Although heavy leather boots were often worn, the classic Converse Chuck Tayler was another common choice between greasers. They were slightly more casual than boots but still cool looking and compatible with a range of outfits making them extremely convenient. The classic look of these shoes was almost unbeatable, and they are therefore still a staple to many wardrobes to this day.
HAIR AN INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE
The hair. Oh the famous, iconic hair. Transcending generations and generations, synonymous with style and masculinity. The Greaser hair style. Also known as ‘the pompadour,’ the greaser hairstyle is signature in the recognition of oneself as a greaser. It is transcendent of all other style features. It is the be all and most certainly the end all. This hairstyle can clearly be seen demonstrated in timeless movie classics such as ‘Grease’ and ‘Cry Baby’. That clean, polished, slick back look. Neatly combed into a recognizable quiff that shines notoriously in the Southern American sun light. The hairstyle, as you may have already guessed, is key in the naming of the sub culture we have been examining, dissecting. Although there are many different origins, ‘Greaser’ is largely a referral to the greasy look of the pompadour sported by all serious greasers. Achieved usually by using pomade (typically brill cream) rubbed through the hair and then slicked back using a fine tooth comb often carried by its owner for good measure, the greaser hairstyle is infamous in its portrayal of the tough, macho yet stylish nature of the typical greaser. A persona defined by true rebelliousness, the hoods of 1950s America sported a hairstyle that only further enhanced their strong identity within youth culture of America.
MUSIC
AN INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE
So we’ve taken a thorough look at the appearance of the typical greaser. We have gained a true insight into the style of these people and the nature of their choices to wear what they wear. But what we haven’t done is looked past the appearance and explored more deeply the nature of these people. So to do that we will hone in on a more intimate part of ones persona. That being their choice in music. Music is commonly known to be something of emotion, a drug for the mind without side effects of true narcotics. By gaining an insight to what these people opened their minds to, what soundwaves they chose to listen to in what patterns and frequencies, we begin to see the inner nature. The person rather than the society. Greasers are largely known to be highly associated with the rock and roll scene. This is largely understandable. After all, young people are susceptible to trends, and rock and roll was the trend of those decades, just like house music and rap could be considered the musical trends for today’s youth. Artists such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard were common place among a greasers vinyl collection. They were often played at wild parties, full of drinking, erratic dancing and sex, things all associated with teen revolt, the rebellion of a hoodlum. Reaching into the world of music gives us a true insight into the nature of the greaser. We have seen how their rebelliousness nature was represented in their choice in style. But considering how highly associated with ‘rebellion’ the whole rock and roll scene was, we can clearly see that greasers were not just putting on a front. They emanated youth revolt.
AUTHORS NOTE
After hours of research and great consideration, the conceptual nature of the greaser subculture was in fact rather similar to the various subcultures we are presented with today. Greasers were the young people of their day, and they needed to find their own place in society. They were your typical low to middle class kids looking for a way to make their mark on society, and by doing so they created a subculture so prominent that it will be remembered for decades to come. They were not abnormal, nor were they special, they were simply the symbol of typical class youth, and in that way they were in fact very similar to the skate culture and hip hop culture etc. that we find in today’s youth. Small town kids trying to make a mark on a big town world. Sure, the way they did this may be very different to todays youth, but whether through leather jackets and rebellion or baggy t shirts and skateboards, the greasers of the past and the youth of today can be narrowed down to one conceptual origin. One thing that as kids they didn’t get, yet needed. One thing that they wanted more than anything else. Recognition. The difference lies in what these teens wanted to be recognized for. Conveyance. What were these people attempting to convey through their nature. What was the intention of the leather jackets, biker boots and tough exterior? What was the PURPOSE? After all, to be recognized, you have to have something to be recognized by. So whatever these teens were attempting to convey was in turn what they would be recognized for. After analyzing the specific style traits and cultural specificities of these American hoods, we stumble across a very apparent and recurring theme. Rebellion. Through their tough exterior and rebellious nature the greasers brought themselves to be recognized as ‘tough’, respected in society, perhaps not for the right reasons but they certainly did have a social status. By viewing these peoples place in society we can see why exactly they wanted to put forth this tough exterior and rebellious nature. They were the lower class kids, the poor ones that were looked down on. Therefore they had to create a name for themselves. By appearing hard they were able to gain a certain respect that guaranteed them security within society. They were able to elevate themselves in society and appear stronger. Strength. That is what this was about. They gained themselves a strong place in society. The greasers were not just rebellious. They were the
SUBCULTURE VOLUME 1