Global Punk: Resistance and Rebellion in Everyday Life

by Kevin Dunn

Global Punk examines the global phenomenon of DIY (do-it-yourself) punk, arguing that it provides a powerful tool for political resistance and personal self-empowerment. Drawing examples from across the evolution of punk – from the streets of 1976 London to the alleys of contemporary Jakarta – Global Punk is both historically rich and global in scope. Looking beyond the music to explore DIY punk as a lived experience, Global Punk examines the ways in which punk contributes to the process of disalienation and political engagement. The book critically examines the impact that DIY punk has had on both individuals and communities, and offers chapter-length investigations of two important aspects of DIY punk independent record labels and self-published zines. Grounded in scholarly theories, but written in a highly accessible style, Global Punk shows why DIY punk remains a vital cultural form for hundreds of thousands of people across the globe today.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2016

About the author

Kevin Dunn plays in several bands, runs a small record label, publishes zines, and works at a small liberal arts college, where he teaches and publishes on a range of topics from African politics to international relations to global punk. He and his family split their time between Western New York state and Western North Carolina. The author of numerous scholarly works, such as Global Punk: Resistance and Rebellion in Everyday Life, Inside African Politics, and The Politics of Origin in Africa.
Vicious is My Middle Name is his first novel.

Reviews

[Hans Rombaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Punk won.” - Ian MacKaye

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punk is so not dead! Fascinating academic study on the history, ideological complexity and DIY nature of punk culture, underpinned with critical theory, by an academic with a stake in both the subculture and a specialist expertise on the global nature of punk. It was particularly the emphasis on the global scene that I found fresh and enlightening. I previously knew little of the strong scene in places like Indonesia. Punk does have its dark side,and Dunn doesn't gloss over that, by its very nature it is a subculture of diversity and extremes, it can be both feminist and misogynist, right wing fascist and anarchistic with liberal leftist values. Punk is always challenging and stimulating, something this book demonstrates. A celebration of resistance, rebellion and punk DIY. A great read, accessible but definitely with an academic emphasis rather than a pop culture one.

[DaN McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started looking at this book a few months ago doing research for something I’m writing but found I kept coming back to it for pleasure and not just work. Eventually I started at the beginning - with the great Ian MacKaye interview - and kept on going until the end. A really compelling case is made for punk’s continuing importance around the globe, and it is made in a style that is both readable and academically well supported.

[Bill DeGenaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dunn considers how DIY punk and its opportunities for political empowerment circulate globally. While the definitions and histories here aren't necessarily groundbreaking, I appreciated Dunn's pushback against cynical "punk is dead" narratives, which he argues often tend to ignore how various subcultures outside of North America and Western Europe have recreated versions of "punk."