New York City Is The City Of Punk Rock | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

New York City Is The City Of Punk Rock

You ready to start a riot? You're not gonna start anything.

27
New York City Is The City Of Punk Rock
Banksy

I'm so glad you are all here for me. I don't know what I'd do without you guys, he declared to a subway car filled with people in sunglasses with headphones in, their eyes either closed or staring down at their cellphones. There was no visible evidence that he said it, but he knows he did.

How old are you? He yells across the crowded train car to a beautiful girl in mature black clothing with the face of a 15 year old.

Your leaders are morons who rob you out of neglect and misunderstanding! Your peers and colleagues are morons who perpetuate neglect and misunderstanding! You yourself are a moron, and you don't understand any of it!

And your friends? Ha! Don't even get me started on your "friends!"

This is called a hidden track. It's four minutes of silence between the good song and the bad song. Embrace it. Take in the sounds, the faces, the ambience. Those creaky wheels and how they work hand in hand with your constant headache to create a symphony of anger, of depression, of boredom. Oh! Someone's smiling at you! Smile back! Ok, it's over. Don't think about it.

The yogis have it wrong! The Arabs have it wrong! The Christians have it wrong! The stockbrokers have it wrong! The atheists would have it wrong if they had anything at all! The communists have it wrong! The fascists have it wrong! The moderates would have it wrong if they had anything at all! The pharmacists have it wrong! The hippies have it wrong! The unions have it wrong! The CEOs can have anything that want, but what more could they possibly want?

You are just slightly too far from the huddled conversation of politics. It would be weird if you said anything from this distance, if you shouted your succinct opinion into the middle of this tight exchange. Plus, you agree with everything they're saying anyway. What could you possibly add?

Please don't push and shove. Technically this a punk rock show but some humans are small and many are fragile. The best way to ensure you create the most pleasant experience for those around you is to once again not express yourself in the slightest. You might have thought you could break that ancient code here in this poorly lit room with like-minded individuals, but you can't. Stay in line.

Show me one revolution started by Bob Dylan. The Sex Pistols were a boy band, masterminded merely to offend and spit on you, and because of them the price of leather was hiked forever. There are multiple overweight 43 year old women whose favorite bands are Green Day and Def Leppard. They have had their picture taken with Billie Joe Armstrong five or so times. He's a sweetheart and he always puts on a good show. He can be a little much at home though, I think. Rise Against wants you to take a stand! For PETA, or something. Fuck the police! We have all come together on this night, in this place, to take a stand. To make a statement. Woohoo! Alright! Now let's dance! Everybody put your hands in the air! And I mean everybody.

Yeah! Alright!
Put your fist in the air, you idiot! You sheep! C'mon, you're an individual! Like all of us! Just look at your crazy hair! It's not even the color of hair!

You ready to start a riot?

You're not gonna start anything.

You're gonna get drunk and fall asleep.

Let's go.

So your subway line isn't running today with no warning at all and you gave the government your money for nothing.

This is a new dance. It's called walk around looking sad, get drunk and punch something.

People stare. Maybe someone asks their friend what you're doing, in hushed tones. Maybe someone semi-discreetly films the whole thing on their camera phone to revel in likes and shares and blips and bloops. But no one ever confronts you, and if a cop finally does, he won't even bother trying to understand.

Don't kill yourself, you idiot! That's exactly what they would want, if they cared at all. Just kidding! Everyone likes you! What are you worried about? Speak up.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

5348
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

119548
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1346
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

972
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments