Malaysia’s rich music culture part 8: The paradox of punk

Music as identity

Punk or black metal is primarily a Malay counterculture, tucked out of sight of mainstream society. Punk in Malaysia has evolved into an anarchic reflection of society, that is anti-peer, anti-hierarchical, and anti-establishment.

Punk is a rebellion of Malaysia’s compliance society.

Originally modelled on British punk, enter the Sex Pistols, and US underground, Iggy Pop and the Velvet Underground, punk in Malaysia has been anchored to the Kelantanese psych.

In the eyes of the establishment punk represents loose morals, drug use, and even alleged devil worship.

Punk culture evolved from long hair, T-shirts and jeans in the 1970s to skinhead, and spiked hair, where groups would hang-out around the KLCC, Pertama and Campbell Complexes, Central Market, Medan Mara, and Kotaraya.

However, these stereotypes are disappearing as punk is evolving in Malaysia.

Punk is an anti-establishment statement. One of the few in the country. No one else is brave enough to challenge the status quo, not even the politicians within the opposition. MUDA never picked up any of the issues expressed by the punk community.

Punk is a rebellion against Malay conformity. Its about having control of what you do, rather than society telling you what to do. Punk opposes the feudal-hierarchical society, and is critical of capitalism Malaysian style.

Punk has its own literature, cartoons, and comics.

In the 1980s groups like Carburetor Dung modelled themselves upon the Sex Pistol and Velvet Underground rock style.

Many groups later evolved with their own ideas and followed their own agendas. They were vocal on issues such as abortion, LBGTQ, politics, friendships, narcissism, sexism, and egalitarian themes.

Punk has developed into deep cerebral music using frequency, vibration, varying melodies and tempos, such as Brain Dead in the 1990s.

Today, punk is in the fringe of Malay society in underground nightclubs and venues. Punk is full of political and social messages wrapped into word plays. Malaysian punk brings up many issues politicians are afraid to.

Punk has become an extension of expression for an unsatisfied section of youth, which the establishment would prefer to ignore.

Subscribe Below: