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In general, punks like Green Day age better than their '60s hippie counterparts
By Shawn Amos
GetBack.com
It seems like only yesterday that Green Day were a bunch of East Bay punks disappointing their fans by selling out to a major label (Warner Bros.). Fifteen years later they've sold out a million times over, as well as millions of records. While some might argue about whether Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool are truly punks, no one will doubt that they have grown up. (They even have a second guitarist, the telltale sign of a band becoming "important." Look for a cellist next.) Their last album, "American Idiot," and the new "21st Century Breakdown" deal with very adult concerns like politics, religion, and big media (which is funding the release and promotion of their record -- but that's another blog).
Not all punks make it to the other side of adulthood. Even fewer grow up with their dignity intact. Say what you will about Green Day, at least they've retained both their relevance and their hair. Here are some other punks who have managed to grow up. In general, punks age better than their '60s hippie counterparts. You won't see them in health insurance ads. By and large they have stayed true to their roots.
Photo gallery: See the elder statesmen of punk rock, then and now [Getback.com]
JOHN LYDON
Then: "Johnny Rotten," the lead singer of the infamous Sex Pistols, had poor oral hygiene and a penchant for mocking audiences. "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?," he asked at the final Pistols' show, in San Francisco.
Now: Lydon's first post-Pistols outfit was Public Image Ltd. (PiL), a widely revered band that lasted 14 years. His career's been a mixed bag since then. He's appeared in the British reality series "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" and in commercials for Country Life, a popular British brand of butter. But just to keep his punk cred, he's managed to assault numerous people over the past year, including singer Duffy.
HENRY ROLLINS
Then: The buff, long haired, bare-chested lead singer for California hardcore band Black Flag wasn't afraid to use his fists on spit-happy audience members. Rollins also communicated in other ways, launching a solo spoken-word career while in the band.
Now: Rollins is every bit the respectable punk elder statesman. Aside from being a published author and radio and talk show host, he's also an outspoken political activist and supporter of the USO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and CommunityofVeterans.org. He still works out but keeps his shirt on.
MICK JONES
Then: He was Joe Strummer's foil in the Clash -- until Strummer fired him in 1983. Then he became a post-punk impresario in Big Audio Dynamite and a brief member of '80s ska/pop group General Public. Unfortunately, he's often confused with another Mick Jones, the guitarist for corporate rock band Foreigner.
Now: Nowadays Jones gets confused with Pete Townshend, another bald British rocker. Jones was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Clash in 2003. He produced the Libertines' debut album and has been paired with Generation X bassist Tony James since 2002. Their band, Carbon/Silicon, has taken the punk ethos to the Internet, giving away recordings on their Web site.
JOHN DOE
Then: Doe served as cofounder and bassist of the seminal L.A. punk group X. His twisted harmonies with bandmate (and then-girlfriend) Exene Cervenka redefined punk vocal sensibilities.
Now: X's roots-rockabilly undercurrent is now the main event in Doe's solo career. His work with the Knitters (its members include all of his X cohorts except guitarist Billy Zoom) and his solo albums all show a dedication to American roots music. He's also built a nice acting resume with guest spots in everything from "Boogie Nights" to "One Tree Hill."
PATTI SMITH
Then: One of the first (and literally the last) acts to play the CBGB stage, Smith was one of the few female faces in New York's punk scene. She also wasn't afraid to hang out with poets and fine artists; photographer Robert Mapplethorpe shot the cover for "Horses," her 1975 debut.
Now: Patti's probably the most consistent of all the punk rockers. She's doing now what she's always done: writing poetry, protesting wars, and inspiring everyone from Michael Stipe to KT Tunstall.
JELLO BIAFRA
Then: The Dead Kennedys frontman wrote one of the best protest songs ever, "Holiday in Cambodia." The bandmembers spent more time suing each other than probably any other group in musical history.
Now: Biafra (real name: Eric Reed Boucher) has stayed the closest to punk's anarchist roots. He's a loyal Green Party member, having run for its Presidential nomination in 2000. He finished second behind Ralph Nader.
BRETT GUREWITZ
Then: At 18 he co-founded Southern California punk band Bad Religion. As a songwriter "Mr. Brett" proved that punk lyrics could handle sophisticated metaphors and three-part harmony.
Now: Gurewitz is one of the few artists of any kind who's mastered the business world. His Epitaph Records (named after a King Crimson song) was originally founded in 1980 to support Bad Religion's albums, but became an important -- and profitable -- indie label. In 1994 The Offspring helped put Epitaph on the map, and Gurewitiz quit Bad Religion to become a full-time exec. He has since rejoined the band, proving that punks can grow up and play at the same time.
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