Staci hearts punk

By STACI GOHL

WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

It may be beaten, bloody and bruised lying in a gutter, but surely punk rock isn’t dead.
At least, it isn’t dead to me.
It’s loud and aggressive and offensive, and to me it’s one of the most important things in the world.
Punk isn’t just about running around without any direction causing trouble. It means much more than that. It’s a sense of community and a sense of freedom.
A drum kit, bass and electric guitar is all you need. Well, that and a singer, who can or can’t sing — it doesn’t matter.
There’s an alluring quality in the simplicity. It is raw emotion, and I can feel it every time I play one of my favorite records, like “Energy” by Operation Ivy, “Lower Class Crucifixion” by the Unseen, and “Let’s Go” by Rancid.
It’s an expression. That’s why it’s so wonderful.
Here, the rules of everyday life don’t apply. Just like in the song “Radio” by Rancid: “When I got the music, I got a place to go.”
Punk is a place to run from the stress and frustration of everyday life and the growing obsession with celebrity. Here, there are like-minded people, who may not always have the same opinion, but still respect the right to think for yourself.
There is a sense of camaraderie among these people, people who understand each other, even when the rest of the world doesn’t. Punk is a place to call home.
It’s about standing up for yourself and speaking up when you see something you don’t agree with. It’s a sense of confidence and a motivation and a source of inspiration. Punk is a way to overcome.
And while apathy and the use of drugs and alcohol are closely associated with the punk-rock lifestyle, that’s not what it’s about. It’s not a fashion statement. Punk is a state of mind. One of openness and acceptance. One of breaking the rules. One of out-of-the-box thinking.
Although many people claim to be punk or whatnot, those claims are not something I usually pay much heed to. True punk rockers know that at the end of the day, it’s not about the label, it’s about being at peace with yourself knowing you’ve stayed true. Which definitely isn’t always easy. Punk takes work.
Past all the talk about what punk is or isn’t and all the elitist and trendy kids, the heart of rebellion lies. There are times when I sometimes get lost in all the talk, but there are moments where I am reminded why I fell in love with it in the first place. And those moments are beautiful. They’re what keep me coming back for more.
Punk will always have my heart.

• Staci Gohl is doing a job shadow at the Yakima Herald-Republic as part of her senior project. She attends West Valley High School.