1970s punk pioneers like Iggy Pop and Siouxsie Sioux are never afraid to speak their mind and they always provide some great insight along the way. In an interview with Paul Burston for Times Online, Siouxsie Sioux, who is now single after divorcing former Banshees drummer Budgie in 2007, spoke out on the differences between the early punk movement and the state of the current scene.
The 1970s punk movement was more open-minded, “creative and industrious,” Sioux said. “Now it’s all labels and consumerism.” Though popular music’s superficiality is certainly nothing new, she also offered an interesting bit that is sure to start some discussion:
I think it’s harder for women now than it was 30 years ago. When you look at the pressures on women to never age and always look physically perfect, and in a very traditional, Barbie, male-oriented way, you’d think that punk never happened. Punk was very empowering for women. And now it’s all gone back to finding a rich footballer.
I totally agree with her that although punk started out as a mindset and worldview, it has been turned into a simple formulaic sound (i.e. Distorted Power Chords + Fast Drums + Crunchy Vocals = Punk). Reminds me of how all you need to do is add slide guitar to a track and people call it “country.”