It’s not dead, it’s reincarnated

I liked this Mac!
It saddens me deeply to see Western decadence currupting the youth of the world.
Taking away their contentment to replace it with envy.
I was a triffle mystified on one point though...
Has Sid Vicious been reincarnated as a woman?
Maybe the sprayed words were "Pink Zone"...

Perhaps he has simply become a cross-dresser swapping his dhoti for a sari... to form a new bangla band The Sex Holsters maybe :O)

Yes, that's how I imagine Sid reincarnated. A bit of transvestism never hurt anyone. In all other respects he's the same Sid. Same hair, same addiction, same inability to play bass, same swastika imagery. In that part of the world, the swastika is a symbol of peace, of course. Hmmmm. Maybe I should add a verse about swastikas?...

I don't think the youth of the East are being corrupted. They are still the gentle, laid-back people they always were. They'll never go the way of the youth of the West. But a bit of punk never did any harm.

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Great reply, Mac!

I disagree about corruption - I think the youth of the world are slowly being corrupted by Western media and the Internet but I do agree that it is unlikely they will go the way of the West.

I enjoyed this poem, it very vividly captured the scene for me. I think it's a bit irrelevant to say that punk music has anything to do with 'Western decadence corrupting the youth of the world', as there's plenty wrong as well as right with Far Eastern Cultures. For me, the poem wasn't about that, but about the unifying nature of art, in the way people from different cultures can interpret music or art in a way that's personal and relevant to them across the globe, and that's what I found charming about it.

Thanks for commenting...

Yeah, I don't think punk is a part of Western decadence, but a reaction to it. Real decadence is materialistic money-worship, which punk has nothing to do with, of course.

I found it very charming seeing punk graffiti in Nepal. And one of the first things I saw in that country was a teenager in a Nirvana t-shirt.

It is odd which music translates well into foreign cultures. Apparently, one of the biggest British bands of all time in Japan is Shampoo. Remember them?

Uh-oh! We're in trouble...

And in Kazakhstan they listen to this band:
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Ha I loved Shampoo. Such a twisted load of cynical shite, the riot grrl aesthetic daubed in lipstick that came free with an issue of Smash Hits.

Love this piece. It's terrific!

I wasn't suggesting that Punk is corrupting Asian culture, merely that it was a symptom of that corruption.
I agree with Mac that it has its roots in materialism - and with disaffection for the system.
Hovever, I am the anti-Christ or I am the anti-Krishna are not encouraging mantras.
A lot of Asia depends on its children for 'social security' and if that debt of honour diminishes in the face of the Western cult of 'self'...

I suppose I'd better clarify for those who think I'm supporting child labour.
In many Asian countries there are no benefits or old age pensions.
As the children grow and find ways to make money they support their parents, or maybe even contribute to the extended family which in turn cares for them.
Traditionally it seems to be the girls who end up in sweat-shops, brothels or working far-a-field sending almost all their pay home but male children also help. Things need to change but change is usually birthed in pain!

Hmmm. Some interesting points, mykle. It's probably still too early to see what will happen to Asian cultures as a result of increased Westernisation. You are right that poor nations with no system of welfare or pensions, need more social cohesion, not less. Do you think family life in the Far East is already breaking down? Do you think that materialism and individualism are becoming significant there now, and that's what the punks of Kathmandu are rebelling against? It's interesting you mention 'I am the Antichrist/Antikrishna' as not being an encouraging mantra. Are you suggesting that the breakdown of religion is a key part of the corruption of Western society?

Sean - Thanks for dropping by. I love Shampoo too. They always bring out the ephebophile in me. Were they riot grrls? I quote a lyric:

Hippychicks are sad
And supermodels suck.
Riot girls, diet girls,
Who really gives a fuck?

Ephebophile is a great word. I only learnt it the other day. I must use it more in normal conversation.

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I think they were more like a French and Saunders sketch than 'authentic' riot grrl. Kathleen Hanna would have boxed their ears if she ever got hold of them. And Courtney would have scared them shitless, for sure.

Yeah, but you still wouldn't say no to them licking your cock, would you? I know I wouldn't.

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A very good morning to you Mr Mac.
Lots of interesting questions there but
I haven't the time to discuss then just now...

To lump all together: I would say I suspect that, unbelievable as it might seem, there is some evil force, maybe even an anti-Christ, which is steering the world toward chaos.
Barack Obama appears to be one of the few rays of sunshine in these dark days...
that in itself worries me!

I'm off for a while, soon, so I'm leaving you in charge of kicking the sheep and reminding them of the dangers of sleepwalking :O)

Take care and be lucky.