Let’s talk Rock

Rock is considered an ‘angry’ type of music, but the term itself as very vague. It may mean a rebellion in musical form, but it covers more than a single style of musical performance. Over the past few decades the definition of rock has shifted, but the overall idea of rock involves a rejection of the aspects of soft, safe and trivial mass-distributed ‘pop’ music.

In the 50s the post-war generation who entered their teenage years needed a new form of music. Although there’s no defined time of the birth of rock and roll, the early 50s is considered the rise of the genre which swiftly took over the market.As the years went by, rock has become more diverse, from heavymetal of Led Zeppelin and Kiss, glitter rock of David Bowie to the progressive rock of Pink Floyd in the 70s.

As rock became more predictable, the punk-rock movement bright rebellion back to the genre. In the 80s music industry became a capitalist machine hungry for new consumers. With the rise of MTV in the early 80s, music videos became even more accessible on TV screens and record albums have switched to CDs. In the 90s grunge rock has gained its popularity with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and many others.

Trivial Complicit Fraudulent Mass Alienated

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Rock is always placed within social & cultural contexts, as its style changes along with society.

The production of rock remains industrial, but musicians seek opportunities to break free of commercial constraints and expectations, taking control in forming new meanings. The musicians not just sell their technical and creative skills, but also able to gather and represent the need of a certain audience. The immediate communication with the audience happens because rock musicians are ‘authentic’ and bury a deep personal purpose in music. ‘Rock music is the object of an active cultural use which is socially very diverse and which at the same time includes those everyday objects which lend themselves to the often pithy and witty expression of particular meaning… (p. 81)

Rockheads might be percieved as intimidating and marginal people. However, these communities openly discuss serious issues which are relevant up to this day. Rock groups and singers have used their platforms to speak against wars and injustice. System of a Down raised awareness about the genocide of Armenian people and highlighted the problematic prison system, twisted Hollywood industry and the obsession with militarism of USA. Nirvana has spoken multiple times against toxic masculinity, homophobia, sexism and racism. Three Days Grace amongst many other groups dedicate their music to the problems of mental health.