Punk Hairstyles - From Rebel Culture To Fashion Statement

Punk hairstyles - those bizarre, colorful things that you see in high streets, villages and black-painted teenage bedrooms! I'm not a punk and have never been one, but I have always been fascinated by the whole punk look and ideology - probably because I was a teenager at the very time that punk exploded, kicking, screaming, swearing and spitting, into popular culture. Punk took off as a mainstream fashion and music trend during the mid-1970s, largely due to the efforts of high profile English fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood and the crown princes of punk - The Sex Pistols. The Pistols were managed at the time by Malcolm McLaren, who was Westwood's partner (personally and professionally) and the crazy mixture of these 3 forces gave rise to what would become a global phenomenon.The Pistols' unique look was largely created by Westwood, utilizing zips, rips, chains, bondage, porn and slogans. The fashion tapped into anti-establishment feelings of the time and the punk hairstyles were a reflection of the clothes and attitudes - unwashed, anarchic and spiky. Mid-to-late-1970s punk hairstyles were actually quite subdued; hair remained fairly short - probably as a reaction to the trend at the time for both male and female hair to be worn long. Hair was simply chopped of using whatever implements were to hand, and left untreated and unwashed. As a result, the hair tended to form itself into clumps and spikes, which started to become the formal "look" for punk hair. Color - especially bright orange as worn by Pistols' frontman Johnny Rotten - became another punk hairstyle 'stamp,' which could be seen on high-streets all around large cities of the UK. Women also tended to decorate their hair to match their outfits.As punk moved into the 80s, it also moved from the streets into mainstream fashion and also from being a largely British phenomenon, into a worldwide movement. With the greater influence of fashion, punk hair styles also became more popular, formal and more 'designer,' with the use of much more hair colorings and deliberately asymmetric cuts. Spiky hairstyles began to be formalized with the use of hair gel and bleaching (the Billy Idol look) became really popular, as did the most famous punk hairstyle of all - the Mohawk.The Mohawk - or Mohican - hairstyle is the definitive punk hairstyle. The style is so-called because it is thought to have been worn by the Mahican and Mohawk tribes, altough in reality it appears that the Huron tribe were the first to sport the hairstyle. The Mohawk hairstyle is characterized by a shaved scalp with an upright strip of hair running across the crown of the head from the forehead to the nape of the neck.. 1980s punk culture became identified with magnificent, colorful Mohawks, but - tragically for a rebel culture - the style became so mainstream that high-fashion catwalks around the world began to feature supermodels wearing beautifully-styled, peacock-like Mohawks.Since that time, little has changed really. Punk music has evolved into many styles, most notably the Emo punk genre so popular with American teenagers. Punk music has largely returned to the underground, but the punk 'look' is very much mainstream, as popular as ever with disaffected and experimental teens as well as older punks who refuse give up on the punk lifestyle and philosophy. But what about the hairstyles? Well you can now walk into any high street salon and ask for a modern, punk hairstyle. Truly punk hairstyles are now all about the fashion statement...

Hand-Made T-Shirts

For an artist, selling something he or she has made is really gratifying. As many of them admit, it's one thing to get feedback from people they know, but there is something about a complete stranger liking their art piece, design, song, painting, or idea, so much that they actually decide to pay money to acquire it. But today's software programs and easy-to-do techniques can turn anyone to a T-shirt designer. By following simple guidelines you can increase your skills to that of an T-shirt printing expert, given the fact that you have never worked at a T-shirt printing company. From creating your environmental organization's theme T-shirt while cleaning your local park to adding a new garment for your kids' soccer match next weekend, making your own T-shirt can be an exciting and genuinely artistic experience for everyone involved.You hear other people say it is an easy and fun thing to do for a special event, but you lack the confidence needed to pull this off. Well, it is time to stop thinking that you are incapable of exploring this type of artistic expression as customizing your clothes can be really fun as well as extremely simple; even if you mess up the first time there is always room for improvement. All you will need are some regular household supplies, like an iron and an iron board, a white or lightly colored T-shirt, a clear dry pillowcase, your choice of crayons, some pieces of white paper, a pair of scissors, and some transfer printing paper which you can purchase from your local craft store. You may begin by designing your own image using any of the software programs in your computer's memory, or you can choose from a vast variety of ready-to-use designs stored in the image bank of the software you select to use. Insert by copying and pasting the images you want to print into a blank page document and resize the icon so it fits the screen and it does not cross the boarders of your document's ruler. For greater impact, you can add text along with the image. If you are doing this with your kids, a clever idea is to print your child's favorite picture or phrase and let them select the type of colors they want to illustrate their T-shirt's theme. The phrase "Best Friends," for instance, can be placed above the picture itself, or be placed one upon the other so as to create a more "personal" effect. Be careful of the coloring you will use for the phrase as you do want it to be visible when you print it. Group the image and wording together so you can move them at the same time and then flip your grouped images horizontal in order to create a mirror image that will appear correctly when ironed onto the T-shirt. Then it is time for the actual transfer. Print the design you have just created onto the transfer paper. Leave the transfer paper somewhere safely to dry completely; it is best to follow the specifications of the paper's manufacturer. After your image dries, you can cut with the scissors any excess paper living a thin ?-inch margin around the printed area. Preheat the iron to the hottest setting and prepare the surface you will use to press your design onto the T-shirt. First, place a pillowcase on the surface and iron it so as to eliminate any existing wrinkles. Then place your T-shirt on top the pillowcase and iron it as well. Put the printed transfer paper onto the surface of the T-shirt you want it to appear and iron it for at least 2-3 minutes. Move the iron from the corners to the center and be sure to press it with at least 50 pounds of pressure. Then let your T-shirt cool down before attempting to remove the paper from its surface. Ten minutes later you can remove the paper by holding the T-shirt with one hand and peeling the paper from any of its corners with the other. It's that simple! So, try this easy-to-do T-shirt printing project next time you want to surprise someone with a thoughtful gift and I am sure the outcome of your efforts will astonish you.

Gothic Clothing Links and Choices

Gothic clothing is often times associated with punk, rock and tribal music genres. If you are into any of these types of music, you want to change your apparel to fit the types of clothes that others are wearing while attending these concerts, functions and parties. To set yourself out from the crowd, complete the purchase of gothic clothing that fits your particular style, and that you know no one else has in your crowd. You can find gothic clothing in many forms, from tops, to tanks, to belts, buckles, and even boots. Gothic prints in nylons and in hosiery is a trend that is expanding past the concert and party. The use of gothic clothing is becoming a trend that is finding it's way into people's lives that want to spread their own style to show off just what they love, and to make a statement. Gothic clothing along the lines of nylons and hosiery is going to include those that are bold stripes, bold colors, and that will include the use of animal prints. Gothic clothing is a vital part of who you are, expressing yourself, and having fun with the clothes that you have to wear everyday anyway!Gothic clothing purchases online are available not only in the auctions, but also in new clothes through the shops and retailers you can find online. Gothic clothing is all about animal feelings, taking you back in time to a point where clothing was worn to create an overall appeal and symmetry for the person who is wearing them. Gothic clothing is often times tight, showing off that waist, creating a sexy appeal around the neck and shoulders, and even showing off those long legs. Tights, nylons and prints for pants, skirts and shorties are all a part of the overall appeal that completes the gothic clothing outfit. For those who wear involved in a cold weather setting, pants and tights were a necessity. Now you can wear these same types of gothic clothing when you want to set yourself apart from the crowd at the party or at the club. Gothic clothing can be worn daily, when you work in a rock or punk setting, when you work in a music, or even a dramatic work setting. Gothic clothing that can be purchased online is going to include necklaces, lace, belts, clips for the hair, and even shoes. You can find a complete line of gothic clothing online, that will fit your style, your body, and your size. If you are considering purchasing the bodice, or the lace up tight corset you want to remember that the sizes are exact. If you have a large breast size, or a large hip size you may want to review the exact measurements of those types of gothic clothing before ordering your usual size.

Gothic Clothing Your Own Style

Want to make a statement with your clothing and style? You can set your style out from the crowd with the use of gothic clothing that can be purchased online. Gothic clothing represents a time when witchcraft, powers of the beyond, and beliefs were considered to be evil. If you want to set your own style with the use of gothic clothing, you can find shirts, pants, dresses, tanks, tops even jewelry and makeup that will include the gothic look for an overall complete appeal to your being. Gothic clothing is often times including the use of black, red, and sometimes whites and bold yellow or red in the material that is used. The black gothic clothing represents the dark feeling that someone wants to portray, but that was back in a day. Now black gothic clothing is a style, one that is going to provide you with a slim, sexy even sultry appeal in your crowd. The gothic clothing you purchase online can be different from anyone else in the club if you mix and match the accessories that are also available to match that outfit. Have you ever been to a play or a drama movie that includes the use of gothic clothing? If you are trying to break into the action scene, that is going to put you in a time when gothic clothing is worn all the time, you should purchase gothic clothing now, and put yourself into this everyday scene and feel now, so you are ready when you go to the audition for that gothic situation. You can find gothic clothing actually quite comfortable, providing you a feeling of power as you wear it and it takes you to a time in history that is different from where we are now. Gothic clothing lines are often times going to be geared towards those who want to create a feeling an atmosphere that is secretive but revealing at the same time. Gothic clothing is going to show off the curves of your body, the slightest hint of sexiness while still covering those needed and required to be covered in public. The corset in particular is one that is fun, and will show off what you have without revealing too much skin at the same time. You can mix and match the gothic clothing of your choice for an overall appeal that is going to be exciting and bold at the same time. Gothic clothing is available for purchase online, now, and in just a few days you can be out on at the club, showing off your new style.

Green Day Revives Punk Rock Music

Californian bands like Rancid and The Offspring, Green Day revived the popularity of the punk rock scene in the United States. The success of Green Day and other punk rock bands have influenced the new generation of punk rock bands like Good Charlotte and Sum41.Having sold over 25 million records in the U.S. alone and over 65 million albums worldwide, Green Day is one of the most successful punk rock bands of all time. Green Day have successfully won three Grammy Awards Best Rock Album for American Idiot, Best Alternative Album for Dookie and Record of the Year for the single Boulevard of Broken Dreams.The story of Green Day started when childhood friends Mike Dirnt and Billy Joe Armstrong, which were both 14 years old in 1986, decided to form a 2 person band that they called Sweet Children. Performing their first live act at the workplace of Armstrong`s mom, Sweet Children experience their first exposure as a band. In 1998, however, Al Sobrante joined the band as their drummer. The three piece band soon switched their band name to Green Day after a marijuana incident and played their first performance at Sobrante`s school in Contra Costa College, San Pablo, California.When Larry Livermore of Lookout! Records saw Green Day performed, he offered the band a record deal and immediately released their first EP in 1989 called 1,000 Hours. The band recorded two other EPs known as Slappy and Sweet Children. When Sobranted moved to California to attend college, Tre Cool became a temporary drummer for Green Day. However, when Sobrante couldn`t commit to the band any further, Tre became the permanent drummer for the band.In early 1991, Green Day released their second album known as Kerplunk! under Lookout! Records, while featuring Tre Cool on drums. Green Day successfully performed plenty of live acts during 1992 and 1993 all throughout U.S. and Europe. The second album sold over fifty thousand albums in the U.S. alone and over two million records worldwide. With the release of the successful Kerplunk! album, Green Day was a focus of major record labels and the band ultimately left Lookout Records. Although many fans regarded Green Day as a sell out, the trio had no choice but to move.In 1994, Dookie became a major commercial hit, after recording it in a mere three weeks. Songs like basket case, when I come around and Longview all became #1 songs on different charts. Because of this massive popularity, Green Day was able to perform at Woodstock 1994 and Lollapalooza. The following year, Green Day was nominated for nine awards while winning the Best Alternative Album.Green Day released a single entitled J.A.R. in 1995, which was soon followed by their third album Insomniac. The album comprised of a darker and more melodic style of songs like Walking Contradiction, Stuck With Me and Brain Stew/Jaded. After winning an MTV Video Music Award, Green Day took a break from producing music and performing concerts, claiming exhaustion.In 1996, after their much criticized break, Green Day recorded and released their nimrod album. Major hit songs like Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), Redundant and Hitchin` a Ride were products of the band`s experimental style, far from their standard pop punk rock signature. The band again took two years off to spend time with their families. When Green Day came back to the music scene in 2000, they released an album called Warning:, which reflects a more mature version of their music. However, the Warning: album only received gold, instead of double platinum labels like their past albums. Fortunately, Green Day won eight awards at the California Music Awards on 2001 for this album.While Green Day was working on a new album, which was supposed to be entitled Cigarettes and Valentines, the master tapes of 20 complete tracks were stolen from their recording studio. In 2004, without trying to use their materials from the stolen album, Green Day released the 2004 American Idiot album, which instantly became #1 on different music charts.All throughout 2005, Green Day did 150 shows promoting their album on a worldwide tour. To this day, Green Day remains a strong influence to modern punk rock bands.