Christian punk
Encyclopedia
Christian punk is a form of Christian music
and a subgenre
of punk rock
with some degree of Christian
lyrical content. Much disagreement persists about the boundaries of the subgenre, and the extent that their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies among bands. For example The Crucified
explicitly rejected the classification of "Christian punk" while staying within the Christian music industry
.
Given the nature of punk and some of its subgenres, such as hardcore punk
, many bands have been rejected by the Christian and CCM
music industry. Some bands generally avoid specific mention of God
or Jesus
; likewise some bands may specifically reject the CCM label or express disdain for that niche of the music industry. For example, Ninety Pound Wuss
vocalist Jeff Suffering
said about the breakup of the band in 2000, "...[N]obody wanted to continue playing in [the] "Christian" music industry."
gave rise to cultural institutions such as Jesus People USA
(JPUSA), these served as an incubator for various Christian subculture
s including punk
, in part through JPUSA's label Grrr Records. Crashdog
is one characteristically punk band that was rooted in JPUSA. In the 1980s, many bands performed at Chuck Smith
's Calvary Chapel
in Orange County California. A particularly popular group with a cult following was Undercover
, who proclaimed that "God Rules" with a combination of rockabilly and hardcore elements. Another early influential group was the Altar Boys
. The Crucified
and (to a lesser extent) Circle of Dust
and Under Midnight were major players in proto Christian Punk. Scaterd Few
also gained popularity during the early 1980s. Another early Christian punk band was One Bad Pig
who formed in Austin, Texas in 1985.
, Ghoti Hook
, Squad Five-O
, Value Pac, The Huntingtons
, Slick Shoes
, Dogwood
, Pocket Change, Officer Negative
, Blaster The Rocket Man
and Headnoise
greatly influenced many of their peers and paved the way for many bands to follow.
, Hawk Nelson
, FM Static
, Flatfoot 56
, Stellar Kart
, and This Providence
are popular with mainstream audiences.
, but features Christian symbols such as the Christian Ichthys
, the cross
, crown of thorns
, the JCHC symbol, and similar symbols. Chi Rho
is a popular symbol amongst more anarcho-Christian bands, such as The Psalters.http://www.psalters.com/ In Europe
the most used symbol is a modified anarchy symbol
made up of the Greek characters A and Ω. These two Greek letters, "Alpha" & "Omega" (the beginning and end of the Greek alphabet), are taken from and when used together in Christian art symbolize that God is eternal, omnipresent, and the giver and taker of life. The symbol is a visual play on the anarchy symbol but with a different meaning and intent.
and in some Christian churches. There are strong elements of anti-authoritarianism in both, such as challenging the uncritical acceptance of social norms in the church and the world. One Bad Pig
's demo, A Christian Banned, drew its name from the band's struggle to gain acceptance in Christian circles because of their punk sound and image. One illustration of this is seen in the concept of "anticonformity", which can be seen in Christian punk music, including the song "Anticonformity" by Krystal Meyers
. Within this perspective, the Christian's view of anticonformity is different from the punk view. The Christian's reason for anticonformity is found in the Biblical Epistle to the Romans
: "Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed." Popular culture
is also commented on and/or satirized by Christian punk bands. One of Relient K's most popular songs from their self-titled debut album, "My Girlfriend", contained the line, "Marilyn Manson
ate my girlfriend." Calibretto 13
wrote songs critical of MTV
, such as "Why Can't I Be on MTV?" and conformity, as in "Sheep of the USA." The Deadlines
, likewise, parodied horror film
themes on their album The Death and Life Of....
Detractors, however, view punk as anti-religious. Adherence to the practice of Christianity (or any religion, established or not) is, by definition, conformity to rules set forth by someone other than the individual for him or herself. While followers cite punk rock's encouragement for people to think for themselves. Whether to be a Christian is the individual's choice, regardless of what others, including punks, would think of it.
Some Christian Punks also do not agree with or are very critical of organized religion. They say that real Christianity is not just a religion because it's not supposed to be about rituals and rules; attacking these notions of legalism
is a common theme in Christian punk lyrics, especially with older Christian punk bands, such as Ninety Pound Wuss
, Scaterd Few
, and One Bad Pig
. They believe true Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ, not necessarily a religion. Many Christian punks are against religion like other punks, yet they are strongly in support of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, separate from rules and tradition. This idea gave rise to Christian punk's term "JCHC", meaning "Jesus Christ Hard Core", which draws its name from an Officer Negative song of the same name.
has strong ties to anarchism
and Marxism, Christian Punks are not a subculture of Marxism
or a form of anarchy
or communism
, instead, it is a subculture with both Christian and Punk affiliations. This belief was often held by extreme conservatives
during the 1970s and 1980s, however, this was primarily used because of the clash between the King-James-Only Movement
and the Jesus Movement
. Evangelists such as Jimmy Swaggart
associated the Jesus Movement
and Christian rock
in general as anti-Christian.
The vast majority of Christian punk bands do not advocate anarchy or communism; Officer Negative's logo is a parody of the Circle-A commonly associated with anarchism. Many Christian punk bands, especially pop-punk bands such as Relient K
, FM Static
, and MxPx
, have very few songs about political topics; others, most notably older bands, contain strongly political lyrics in many of their songs. Political Christian punk bands come from a variety of areas on the political spectrum
. The Psalters
, who openly advocate the ideas of anarcho-primitivism
, Liberation theology
) and Christian anarchism
, are Christians who believe God is the only true authority. Some politicized Christian punk bands are also socialists. Crashdog
operated a section of their website devoted to political issues and candidates that they supported, such as former United States Green Party Presidential candidate Ralph Nader
and various human rights
causes. Crashdog disbanded in the late 1990s to start Ballydowse
, a more political band which also took strong stances on human rights issues.
Other Christian punk bands take more conservative stances. Calibretto 13
's song "America", from their album Adventures in Tokyo
, expressed the band's displeasure with America's moral decline. Christian punk bands are also often vocal against abortion
in their songs. Rock for Life categorizes bands based on their advocacy for or against abortion; they include many Christian punk bands, such as Dogwood
, Flatfoot 56
, Relient K
, and One-21, on their list of pro-life bands.
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
and a subgenre
Music genre
A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music...
of punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
with some degree of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
lyrical content. Much disagreement persists about the boundaries of the subgenre, and the extent that their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies among bands. For example The Crucified
The Crucified
The Crucified is an American Christian crossover thrash metal band from Fresno, California that formed in 1984. Its lineup is vocalist Mark Salomon, guitarist Greg Minier, bassist Jeff Bellew, and drummer Jim Chaffin. The Crucified released two studio albums and three demos...
explicitly rejected the classification of "Christian punk" while staying within the Christian music industry
Christian music industry
The Christian music industry is a small part of the larger music industry, that focuses on traditional Gospel music, Southern Gospel music, Contemporary Christian music, and alternative Christian music. It is sometimes called the gospel music industry, although this designation is not a limitation...
.
Given the nature of punk and some of its subgenres, such as hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, many bands have been rejected by the Christian and CCM
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
music industry. Some bands generally avoid specific mention of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
or Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
; likewise some bands may specifically reject the CCM label or express disdain for that niche of the music industry. For example, Ninety Pound Wuss
Ninety Pound Wuss
Ninety Pound Wuss was an experimental punk rock band from Port Angeles, Washington, USA that released three studio albums on Tooth & Nail Records...
vocalist Jeff Suffering
Jeff Suffering
Jeff Suffering Jeff Suffering Jeff Suffering (birth name, Jeff Bettger, is the lead singer of Ninety Pound Wuss, Raft of Dead Monkeys, and Suffering and the Hideous Thieves. While no longer involved in the aforementioned projects, Suffering continues to perform live music with Mars Hill Church in...
said about the breakup of the band in 2000, "...[N]obody wanted to continue playing in [the] "Christian" music industry."
1980s
Christian punk's origins during the wider 1980s punk rock scene are somewhat obscure. As the Jesus MovementJesus movement
The Jesus movement was a movement in Christianity beginning on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s and spreading primarily through North America and Europe, before dying out by the early 1980s. It was the major Christian element within the hippie counterculture,...
gave rise to cultural institutions such as Jesus People USA
Jesus People USA
Jesus People USA is a Christian intentional community in Uptown, on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1972, coming out of Jesus People Milwaukee in the Jesus Movement, and is the largest of the few remaining communes from that movement...
(JPUSA), these served as an incubator for various Christian subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
s including punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, in part through JPUSA's label Grrr Records. Crashdog
Crashdog
Crashdog was one of the first Christian punk bands and was active primarily in the early 1990s. Most of their albums were released by Grrr recordS, which has also been home to Headnoise, Resurrection Band, and Glenn Kaiser, among others....
is one characteristically punk band that was rooted in JPUSA. In the 1980s, many bands performed at Chuck Smith
Chuck Smith (pastor)
Charles Ward “Chuck” Smith, , is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement...
's Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel is an evangelical association of Christian churches with over one thousand congregations worldwide. Calvary Chapel also maintains a number of radio stations around the world and operates many local Calvary Chapel Bible College programs. It presents itself as a "fellowship of...
in Orange County California. A particularly popular group with a cult following was Undercover
Undercover (band)
Undercover is an American Christian punk band based in Southern California.-History:Formed in the early 1980s by Joey "Ojo" Taylor in southern California, Undercover brought a new sound to the Contemporary Christian Music scene that differed from the Christian rock and Christian metal bands of the...
, who proclaimed that "God Rules" with a combination of rockabilly and hardcore elements. Another early influential group was the Altar Boys
Altar Boys
Altar Boys are a Christian punk rock band from California, formed in 1982. They are Mike Stand , Jeff Crandall , Steve Pannier , Mark Robertson , and Ric Alba.-Background:...
. The Crucified
The Crucified
The Crucified is an American Christian crossover thrash metal band from Fresno, California that formed in 1984. Its lineup is vocalist Mark Salomon, guitarist Greg Minier, bassist Jeff Bellew, and drummer Jim Chaffin. The Crucified released two studio albums and three demos...
and (to a lesser extent) Circle of Dust
Circle of Dust
Circle of Dust were a 1990s Industrial rock band created and run by Klayton who is now more widely known for his solo band Celldweller. Circle of Dust was, along with contemporaries Mortal and Deitiphobia, instrumental in bringing industrial metal to the Christian alternative metal scene...
and Under Midnight were major players in proto Christian Punk. Scaterd Few
Scaterd Few
Scaterd Few was a Christian punk band originating from Burbank, California. CCM magazine described their music as "pure punk for dread people," stating that it was a cross between Janes Addiction and Charlie Mingus.-Sin Disease era:...
also gained popularity during the early 1980s. Another early Christian punk band was One Bad Pig
One Bad Pig
One Bad Pig is a Christian punk and metal crossover band from Austin, Texas which formed in 1985. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music describes them as "Quite possibly the most popular hard-punk act ever to arise within the Christian music scene." They were known for their mischief and...
who formed in Austin, Texas in 1985.
1990s
During the 1990s, the underground scene grew as bands such as MxPxMxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
, Ghoti Hook
Ghoti Hook
Ghoti Hook was a pop punk band from Fairfax, Virginia. The band formed in 1991, signed to Tooth & Nail Records in 1996, and disbanded in 2002.-History:...
, Squad Five-O
Squad Five-O
Before being signed, there was a demo released, titled: "Cop Rock Demo". This is a highly sought after recording, which included a track titled "Pair of Dice City"....
, Value Pac, The Huntingtons
The Huntingtons
The Huntingtons are a punk band from Baltimore, Maryland which formed in 1993-1994 in the Maryland/Delaware area by Cliff Powell , Mike Holt and Mike Pierce . The band is heavily influenced by The Ramones.-1993-2005:The Huntingtons debut album Sweet Sixteen was released in 1996 by Flying Tart...
, Slick Shoes
Slick Shoes
Slick Shoes was a pop punk band with Christian origins from Antelope Valley, California. Their name comes from the hit 1985 movie, The Goonies, 'slick shoes' being one of the character Data's many gadgets. The band formed in 1994 and made their first release as a self-titled EP in 1997. They...
, Dogwood
Dogwood (band)
Dogwood is a punk rock band hailing from Escondido, California. Their music is often compared to that of The Offspring, and they list Bad Religion, NOFX and Lagwagon as musical influences...
, Pocket Change, Officer Negative
Officer Negative
Officer Negative was a punk band from Ventura. Formed in 1995 and initially disbanded in 2000, the band released two albums and an EP on Screaming Giant Records...
, Blaster The Rocket Man
Blaster the Rocket Man
Blaster the Rocket Man was a Christian horror punk band from Indianapolis, Indiana. They formed in the early 1990s as Blaster the Rocketboy and signed with Boot to Head Records in 1994. They released two records before signing with Jackson Rubio Records. Their name changed to Blaster the Rocket Man...
and Headnoise
Headnoise
Headnoise is one of the main pioneers of "old-school" Christian punk rock, founded in 1994. They are prominent for being on the forefront of the Southern California-based "JCHC" underground movement, along with Officer Negative...
greatly influenced many of their peers and paved the way for many bands to follow.
2000s
In the 21st century, developments in Christian punk parallels broader punk, with bands such as Relient KRelient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson
Hawk Nelson is a Christian rock band from Peterborough, Ontario. The band has become very popular in the Christian music scene and was voted "Favorite New Artist" by CCM Magazine in their February 2006 Reader's Choice Awards. In 2006 Hawk Nelson won a No...
, FM Static
FM Static
FM Static is a two-piece Toronto-based pop punk band currently signed to Tooth & Nail Records. The band was started as a side project by Thousand Foot Krutch frontman Trevor McNevan, and drummer Steve Augustine...
, Flatfoot 56
Flatfoot 56
Flatfoot 56 is a Celtic punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The group's use of Scottish Highland bagpipes has led to their classification as a Celtic punk band, comparable to Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly.-History:...
, Stellar Kart
Stellar Kart
Stellar Kart is a Christian pop punk band from Phoenix, Arizona, USA . The band is signed to INO Records and released its first album in February 2005. Some of the singles from their debut album, All Gas. No Brake - including "Finish Last" and "Life Is Good" - have been played on Christian radio...
, and This Providence
This Providence
This Providence is a four-piece Alternative Rock band from Seattle, Washington. The band consists of Dan Young , David Blaise , Gavin Phillips , and Andy Horst .-Formation and early history:...
are popular with mainstream audiences.
Fashion
Fashion is similar to normal punk fashionPunk fashion
Punk fashion is the clothing, hairstyles, cosmetics, jewelry, and body modifications of the punk subculture. Punk fashion varies widely, ranging from Vivienne Westwood designs to styles modeled on bands like The Exploited. The distinct social dress of other subcultures and art movements, including...
, but features Christian symbols such as the Christian Ichthys
Ichthys
Ichthys, from Koine Greek: , is the Greek word for "fish"....
, the cross
Cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...
, crown of thorns
Crown of Thorns
In Christianity, the Crown of Thorns, one of the instruments of the Passion, was woven of thorn branches and placed on Jesus Christ before his crucifixion...
, the JCHC symbol, and similar symbols. Chi Rho
Chi Rho
The Chi Rho is one of the earliest forms of christogram, and is used by Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two letters chi and rho of the Greek word "ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" =Christ in such a way to produce the monogram ☧...
is a popular symbol amongst more anarcho-Christian bands, such as The Psalters.http://www.psalters.com/ In Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
the most used symbol is a modified anarchy symbol
Anarchist symbolism
While anarchists have historically largely denied the importance of symbols to political movement, they have embraced certain symbols for their cause, including most prominently the circle-A and the black flag...
made up of the Greek characters A and Ω. These two Greek letters, "Alpha" & "Omega" (the beginning and end of the Greek alphabet), are taken from and when used together in Christian art symbolize that God is eternal, omnipresent, and the giver and taker of life. The symbol is a visual play on the anarchy symbol but with a different meaning and intent.
Religion
Acceptance of Christian punk is at times challenged both amongst members of the punk subculturePunk subculture
The punk subculture includes a diverse array of ideologies, and forms of expression, including fashion, visual art, dance, literature, and film, which grew out of punk rock.-History:...
and in some Christian churches. There are strong elements of anti-authoritarianism in both, such as challenging the uncritical acceptance of social norms in the church and the world. One Bad Pig
One Bad Pig
One Bad Pig is a Christian punk and metal crossover band from Austin, Texas which formed in 1985. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music describes them as "Quite possibly the most popular hard-punk act ever to arise within the Christian music scene." They were known for their mischief and...
's demo, A Christian Banned, drew its name from the band's struggle to gain acceptance in Christian circles because of their punk sound and image. One illustration of this is seen in the concept of "anticonformity", which can be seen in Christian punk music, including the song "Anticonformity" by Krystal Meyers
Krystal Meyers
Krystal Meyers is an American Christian rock / Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter and musician...
. Within this perspective, the Christian's view of anticonformity is different from the punk view. The Christian's reason for anticonformity is found in the Biblical Epistle to the Romans
Epistle to the Romans
The Epistle of Paul to the Romans, often shortened to Romans, is the sixth book in the New Testament. Biblical scholars agree that it was composed by the Apostle Paul to explain that Salvation is offered through the Gospel of Jesus Christ...
: "Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed." Popular culture
Popular culture
Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...
is also commented on and/or satirized by Christian punk bands. One of Relient K's most popular songs from their self-titled debut album, "My Girlfriend", contained the line, "Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
ate my girlfriend." Calibretto 13
Calibretto 13
Calibretto 13 was an acoustic punk band from Kokomo, Indiana, United States. The acoustic punk style of the band and the peculiar vocal style of singer Joe Whiteford gives the band their signature sound. Another signature mark of the band is themes in their lyrics, which often are about B-movies...
wrote songs critical of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, such as "Why Can't I Be on MTV?" and conformity, as in "Sheep of the USA." The Deadlines
The Deadlines
The Deadlines were a rock band that formed in 1998 and disbanded in 2002. Their musical style started as horror punk and later evolved toward glam rock...
, likewise, parodied horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
themes on their album The Death and Life Of....
Detractors, however, view punk as anti-religious. Adherence to the practice of Christianity (or any religion, established or not) is, by definition, conformity to rules set forth by someone other than the individual for him or herself. While followers cite punk rock's encouragement for people to think for themselves. Whether to be a Christian is the individual's choice, regardless of what others, including punks, would think of it.
Some Christian Punks also do not agree with or are very critical of organized religion. They say that real Christianity is not just a religion because it's not supposed to be about rituals and rules; attacking these notions of legalism
Legalism (theology)
Legalism, in Christian theology, is a sometimes-pejorative term referring to an over-emphasis on discipline of conduct, or legal ideas, usually implying an allegation of misguided rigour, pride, superficiality, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God or emphasizing the letter of...
is a common theme in Christian punk lyrics, especially with older Christian punk bands, such as Ninety Pound Wuss
Ninety Pound Wuss
Ninety Pound Wuss was an experimental punk rock band from Port Angeles, Washington, USA that released three studio albums on Tooth & Nail Records...
, Scaterd Few
Scaterd Few
Scaterd Few was a Christian punk band originating from Burbank, California. CCM magazine described their music as "pure punk for dread people," stating that it was a cross between Janes Addiction and Charlie Mingus.-Sin Disease era:...
, and One Bad Pig
One Bad Pig
One Bad Pig is a Christian punk and metal crossover band from Austin, Texas which formed in 1985. The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music describes them as "Quite possibly the most popular hard-punk act ever to arise within the Christian music scene." They were known for their mischief and...
. They believe true Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ, not necessarily a religion. Many Christian punks are against religion like other punks, yet they are strongly in support of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, separate from rules and tradition. This idea gave rise to Christian punk's term "JCHC", meaning "Jesus Christ Hard Core", which draws its name from an Officer Negative song of the same name.
Politics
Although punk rockPunk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
has strong ties to anarchism
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
and Marxism, Christian Punks are not a subculture of Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
or a form of anarchy
Anarchy
Anarchy , has more than one colloquial definition. In the United States, the term "anarchy" typically is meant to refer to a society which lacks publicly recognized government or violently enforced political authority...
or communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
, instead, it is a subculture with both Christian and Punk affiliations. This belief was often held by extreme conservatives
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
during the 1970s and 1980s, however, this was primarily used because of the clash between the King-James-Only Movement
King-James-Only Movement
The "King James Only movement" advocates the superiority of the Authorized King James Version of the Protestant Bible. The topic increased in newsworthiness in 2011, the 400th anniversary of the translation's 1611 initial publication....
and the Jesus Movement
Jesus movement
The Jesus movement was a movement in Christianity beginning on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s and spreading primarily through North America and Europe, before dying out by the early 1980s. It was the major Christian element within the hippie counterculture,...
. Evangelists such as Jimmy Swaggart
Jimmy Swaggart
Jimmy Lee Swaggart is a Pentecostal American pastor, teacher, musician, television host, and televangelist. He has preached to crowds around the world through his weekly telecast...
associated the Jesus Movement
Jesus movement
The Jesus movement was a movement in Christianity beginning on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s and spreading primarily through North America and Europe, before dying out by the early 1980s. It was the major Christian element within the hippie counterculture,...
and Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
in general as anti-Christian.
The vast majority of Christian punk bands do not advocate anarchy or communism; Officer Negative's logo is a parody of the Circle-A commonly associated with anarchism. Many Christian punk bands, especially pop-punk bands such as Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, FM Static
FM Static
FM Static is a two-piece Toronto-based pop punk band currently signed to Tooth & Nail Records. The band was started as a side project by Thousand Foot Krutch frontman Trevor McNevan, and drummer Steve Augustine...
, and MxPx
MxPx
MxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
, have very few songs about political topics; others, most notably older bands, contain strongly political lyrics in many of their songs. Political Christian punk bands come from a variety of areas on the political spectrum
Political spectrum
A political spectrum is a way of modeling different political positions by placing them upon one or more geometric axes symbolizing independent political dimensions....
. The Psalters
The Psalters
The Psalters are a Christian band which began in Philadelphia, USA, in 1997. Their stylistic genre is somewhat difficult to define, though they are occasionally referred to as folk punk...
, who openly advocate the ideas of anarcho-primitivism
Anarcho-primitivism
Anarcho-primitivism is an anarchist critique of the origins and progress of civilization. According to anarcho-primitivism, the shift from hunter-gatherer to agricultural subsistence gave rise to social stratification, coercion, and alienation...
, Liberation theology
Liberation theology
Liberation theology is a Christian movement in political theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in terms of a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions...
) and Christian anarchism
Christian anarchism
Christian anarchism is a movement in political theology that combines anarchism and Christianity. It is the belief that there is only one source of authority to which Christians are ultimately answerable, the authority of God as embodied in the teachings of Jesus...
, are Christians who believe God is the only true authority. Some politicized Christian punk bands are also socialists. Crashdog
Crashdog
Crashdog was one of the first Christian punk bands and was active primarily in the early 1990s. Most of their albums were released by Grrr recordS, which has also been home to Headnoise, Resurrection Band, and Glenn Kaiser, among others....
operated a section of their website devoted to political issues and candidates that they supported, such as former United States Green Party Presidential candidate Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....
and various human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
causes. Crashdog disbanded in the late 1990s to start Ballydowse
Ballydowse
Ballydowse is a celtic punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois with a rare mix of anarchist and religious ideas infused into their music. Many of the group's members were from the Jesus People U.S.A. commune. In addition to the group's Mekons/Pogues-style Celtic punk influences, the group also draws...
, a more political band which also took strong stances on human rights issues.
Other Christian punk bands take more conservative stances. Calibretto 13
Calibretto 13
Calibretto 13 was an acoustic punk band from Kokomo, Indiana, United States. The acoustic punk style of the band and the peculiar vocal style of singer Joe Whiteford gives the band their signature sound. Another signature mark of the band is themes in their lyrics, which often are about B-movies...
's song "America", from their album Adventures in Tokyo
Adventures in Tokyo
Adventures In Tokyo is the second full length album by Christian rock band Calibretto 13.- Track listing :# "Why Can't I Be On MTV?"# "Dear Beelzebubba"# "Cruisin' the Strip"# "Sheep of The U.S."# "From Me To You"# "Hollywood "...
, expressed the band's displeasure with America's moral decline. Christian punk bands are also often vocal against abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
in their songs. Rock for Life categorizes bands based on their advocacy for or against abortion; they include many Christian punk bands, such as Dogwood
Dogwood (band)
Dogwood is a punk rock band hailing from Escondido, California. Their music is often compared to that of The Offspring, and they list Bad Religion, NOFX and Lagwagon as musical influences...
, Flatfoot 56
Flatfoot 56
Flatfoot 56 is a Celtic punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The group's use of Scottish Highland bagpipes has led to their classification as a Celtic punk band, comparable to Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly.-History:...
, Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, and One-21, on their list of pro-life bands.
Record labels
- Alarma RecordsAlarma RecordsAlarma Records is a sublabel of Frontline Records.Alarma! Records and Tapes was originally formed in 1983 by the band Daniel Amos, with musician Tom Howard, for the release of their Doppelgänger album...
- BEC RecordingsBEC RecordingsBEC Recordings is a Christian rock record label that is a subsidiary of Tooth and Nail Records. The label was formed in 1997 in partnership with the EMI Christian Music Group....
- Bulletproof Records
- Burnt Toast VinylBurnt Toast VinylBurnt Toast Vinyl is an independent record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-History:Burnt Toast Vinyl was founded by a Drexel University student who had initially been involved with concert promotion at the school...
- Facedown RecordsFacedown RecordsFacedown Records is a Christian record label based in Fallbrook, California, devoted mostly to hardcore punk and metalcore bands . Founded by No Innocent Victim drummer Jason Dunn, the label started off small with a number of 7" record releases by bands such as Overcome, Dodgin Bullets, and Born...
- Five Minute Walk
- Flicker RecordsFlicker RecordsFlicker Records is a Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It was founded by members of Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline. The label mainly focuses on rock/hard rock artists, though it also created a subsidiary, Big House Kids, for Christian children's music.The label was...
- Flying Tart Records
- Gotee RecordsGotee RecordsGotee Records is a record label founded by dc Talk member Toby McKeehan , Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood...
- Mono Vs StereoMono Vs StereoMono Vs Stereo is an independent record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It was founded in 2003 as an imprint label of Gotee Records. While Gotee signs mostly rap, hip-hop, and pop-rock artists, MVS leaned more towards indie music.-2003–2006:...
- Rescue RecordsRescue Records-Artists:*P.O.D.*Dogwood*N.I.V.*Tonéx*Dirt*Fros'T*Unity Klan*E-Roc* FASEDOWN*Sackcloth Fashion*Nailed Promise*Point Of Recognition*Ancient of Days* Skratchline*BLAH...
- REX RecordsRex RecordsRex Records has been the name of at least five record companies:* Rex Records , a United States-based company* Rex Records , a United Kingdom-based company selling through Marks & Spencer department stores...
- Squint EntertainmentSquint EntertainmentSquint Entertainment was a record label owned by Word Entertainment, started in 1997 and run by musician and songwriter Steve Taylor. Squint pushed Sixpence None the Richer to mainstream success with their single "Kiss Me"....
- Tooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
See also
- List of Christian punk bands
- Christian rockChristian rockChristian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
- Christian socialismChristian socialismChristian socialism generally refers to those on the Christian left whose politics are both Christian and socialist and who see these two philosophies as being interrelated. This category can include Liberation theology and the doctrine of the social gospel...
- Christian communismChristian communismChristian communism is a form of religious communism based on Christianity. It is a theological and political theory based upon the view that the teachings of Jesus Christ compel Christians to support communism as the ideal social system...
- Christian anarchismChristian anarchismChristian anarchism is a movement in political theology that combines anarchism and Christianity. It is the belief that there is only one source of authority to which Christians are ultimately answerable, the authority of God as embodied in the teachings of Jesus...
- Religious communismReligious communismReligious communism is a form of communism centered on religious principles. The term usually refers to a number of egalitarian and utopian religious societies practicing the voluntary dissolution of private property, so that society's benefits are distributed according to a person's needs, and...
- Anarchism and religionAnarchism and religionAnarchists have traditionally been skeptical of and opposed to organized religion. Nevertheless some anarchists provided religious interpretations and approaches to anarchism.-Anarchist clashes with religion:...
- Punk ideologyPunk ideologyPunk ideologies are a group of varied social and political beliefs associated with the punk subculture. In its original incarnation, the punk subculture was primarily concerned with concepts such as rebellion, anti-authoritarianism, individualism, free thought and discontent...
- Straight EdgeStraight edgeStraight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
- Liberation theologyLiberation theologyLiberation theology is a Christian movement in political theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in terms of a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions...
External links
- UK Christian Punks May 20, 2008
- God Save the Teens: Local Kids Seek a New Kind of Church Through Hardcore and Hip-Hop by Lauren Sandler in the Village Voice 30 May - 5 June 2001
- http://www.spotlightministries.org.uk/punk.htm
- Christian punk-rockers find acceptance on 'straight edge'
- Christian Punk Artists
- Mutinous Wonderflesh Vs The Body Under The HEAD - A Tribute To Blaster The Rocket Man (Free Download)