“I’m with the Band”
Music moves people in an indescribable way. Fans find ways to connect with their favorite artists in many ways, one being subcultures in fashion. Although rock music has a wide range of genres, the ones trending today include grunge, glam, and punk. There is some overlap between the musical stylings as well as those in fashion, so let's take a closer look…
Grunge is a type of alternative rock music that is categorized by the use of classic rock instruments, distortion, and angsty messages focused on introspection. It tends to lack the fast tempo that punk is known for, but mixes in elements of metal and classic rock. The style came to fame in the late ‘80s and the early ‘90s, taking the main stage with Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain influencing millions. It seemed that bands such as Sonic Youth, Pearl Jam, and Stone Temple Pilots managed to create their own sound and clothing style. Grunge emphasizes the idea, “less is more,” and leans into comfort and convenience. The clothing does not place weight on silhouette and instead entertains androgynous shapes that can play on untraditional femininity. The color palette is typically dark and muted with elements of plaid, mesh, and denim. The style is very undone and effortless; it is typical to have untamed hair, smudged makeup, and distressed fabrics– it just adds to the look!
Glam Rock dares to be different and begs to be seen and heard. Artists perform in over-the-top ways including elaborate sets, dress, hair, and makeup. The genre mixes a variety of sounds to deliver a one-of-a-kind performance including but not limited to classic rock n’ roll, techno, and art rock sounds. Typically Glam rock is very androgynous, something it has in common with grunge stylings, and plays with gender performance to create characters that come alive on stage. Some examples of glam rock icons we still draw inspiration from today are David Bowie, Prince, Elton John, and Queen’s Freddie Mercury. Enormously talented, these artists pushed the boundaries of performance creating a culture that embodies their artistic style. The clothing itself is comprised of mixed media ranging from studs and sequins, leather, denim, and bold metallics. Glam rock plays with shaping to create odd silhouettes that catch the audience’s eye. The style mixes bold and dark color palettes, creating juxtaposing combinations. Colorful hair, graphic eyeliner, and glitter are common accessories added to solidify the artist’s vision. Whether slim fitting, extravagant, or straight cut, the risque uniform can be seen from miles away.
Punk made its claim to fame by being aggressively progressive. The common theme of nonconformity made punk rock culture what it is today. Music and personal style come together in this eccentric form of self expression that encourages constant evolution. The music style made its debut in the United Kingdom and is comprised of short and fast songs that deliver lyrics made to target current events. Punk is deeply rooted in garage rock with most artists choosing to utilize unconventional sounds and methods of production. Many artists prefer self-recording or opt for independent labels. Bands such as NOFX, Green Day, Black Flag, and The Clash curate their sound to make their audience think outside the box or take action. The do-it-yourself mentality translates to fashion as well, with habitual listeners adopting a defiantly anti-materialistic style. Dark color palettes are complemented by fishnets, mixed metals, and self-made clothing. Spiked and studded jewelry is popular as well as the use of printed pins, safety pins, rings, and other accessories. Tie-dye, bleach, fabric markers and scissors are common customizing elements so punk listeners can make their wardrobe completely their own. Famous designers such as Vivienne Westwood have taken elements from punk to the runway, emphasizing the deconstructed look.
Ultimately, we can credit the initial impact of rock style to our favorite artists, but the subcultures themselves are of our own making. The mixing and matching of these aesthetics are what makes rock n’ roll revolutionary. So whether you resonate with Bowie, Vedder, or Mike Burkett, bringing music taste into your wardrobe is a personalized practice. Don’t be afraid to dive deeper into self expression by taking influence from the greats!
Written by Zoey Frederick, Photography: Esha Uddaraju, Graphic Design: Sarah Szymeczek, Social Media: Sudiksha Pai