Polka Punk

There is a new punk culture. Frankly I am not sure how new it is or how widespread. I probably should do more research before I, an old guy, comment on it. As one thinks about punk as mean, rebellious and loud. This punk is happy, campy and loud- JD, the accordion player in the Hubbub Club, plays an electric accordion and wears a fake red nose. The band dresses in mock turn of the century Victorian Black. Their 3 dancers do mock Burlesque. In one sketch they dance seductive and in coordinated fashion remove clothing, but costume "cartoon" clothing- down to the "last" layer a white bra with glowing nipples.

The style resembles the orientation of the Handcar Regatta. It is dark culture that celebrates the dead and thumbs its nose at it at the same time. So the style becomes a quaint affirmation of life. When I say punk, I guess that I mean modern Gothic (or Goth) styles.

The band played fast growling songs with words that seems full of humor and lightness. It is an ironic twist from the angry punk of the past. Perhaps it tell something of the culture of escape that we live in these days.