Glasgow is proof punk isn’t dead in 2024, but what does it look like now?
Rock fans in the city were treated to both the Sex Pistols and the Undertones performing in the Southside at the O2 Academy last month.
I attended the gigs and couldn’t help but notice the iconic fashion that stood out in the crowd, as dedicated fans still show up for the bands more than 40 years later.
The punk genre was defined as a rebellious subculture of young people that originated in the late 1970s which covered art, music, and fashion.
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Now the veterans who helped launch the movement have all grown up but are still following punk legend bands decades later.
I caught up with some fans after The Undertones on Sunday show to see where they get their inspiration when it comes to their clothes and lifestyle.
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His tattoos and piercings catch my attention before he tells me he has been in the punk scene for 44 years.
He said: “I have been dressing like this since I was 13, it is just who I am.
“I find inspiration from bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash. Of course, I would call myself a punk and take a lot of influence from the genre.
“I get my clothes from anywhere, a T-shirt and jeans from TK Maxx will do me.
"When I was younger I had punk trousers with zips and that. I have been coming to punk shows for about 20 years, it just keeps getting better.”
He said: “I call myself a Huppie because I am half punk half hippy.
"I get my clothes down the Barras and find inspiration from just being myself.”
They wear Doc Martins, band T-shirts, and cargo pants. They tell me their look hasn't changed much since their youth yet they still remain on trend in 2024.
They said: “Our style inspiration comes from the way we grew up. We were kids looking at people like Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols and wanted to be part of the scene.
“Now we will be still into the style. It is how we express ourselves. Sometimes you can find good stuff on the high street but vintage is great.
“Punk rock ruined our life but we wouldn’t change a thing, we spent all our money on rock and roll.”
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Sandra Innes, 57, and Derrick Lindsay, 52, are enjoying the show when they spare a few minutes to speak to me for the article.
Their look is an updated and more subtle punk style but still takes major inspiration from music.
Sandra said: “We like to get stuff from Vinted and charity shops, you can normally find something a bit different there which we like.
“We follow a lot of punk and rock bands which is inspiring.”
I met brothers Colin Rowan, 58, and John Rowan, 62, in the Laurieston pub across the street after the gig.
They are wearing matching punk band t-shirts and jackets as they tell me how they "never looked back" after finding the genre.
They said: “We were brought up on bands like the Sex Pistols in the early ’70s which changed everything for us.
“The trend got us and we basically never looked back, we love the rock style and band t-shirts.
“We get stuff online but we have been wearing the same clothes for years. Punk really came onto the scene around 1976 and we have been involved ever since.”
Robert Mellon, 56, and Mark Butler, 55, are at the bar when I see them. Robert's hat catches my attention before I notice his beads and necklace as he uses accessories to upgrade his outfit.
They have immediate chemistry and charm as they tell me how much music influences their fashion.
They said: “We feel inspired by music, especially the punk genre. We love seeing live shows. We have been into it since we were really young and stuck with it.
"We buy our clothes mostly online but sometimes you can get cool stuff on West Nile Street in Glasgow.”
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Lorraine McDermott, 62, and Alex Aiken, 61, have been on the scene since they were teenagers.
Their passion for the genre has not faded since then which is obvious as soon as they start telling me about their inspirations.
Lorraine said: “We have known each other since the mid-80s, we actually started our own band when we were about 15 years old.
“We still love seeing bands and the whole music scene, it has had a massive impact on us, including how we dress.
“To find clothes we mostly go for vintage stuff which we get online. The punk genre changed our lives without a doubt.”
Derrick Paton, 61, and Gaz Boy, 58, are playing it cool but can't help but offer a comment when I ask them if the genre has influenced them.
They said: “We find our inspiration from the 80s. Punks and mods influence our fashion choices. Music has a big impact.”
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Phil Hammer, 64, and Lynn Kean, 65, stand at the back of the show and share a similar look as they go for edgy dark colours.
Lynn said: “For my style I try just to be myself instead of following trends.
"Our wardrobe is mixed up with things online and stuff I have kept for years.”
Firstly, they have huge amounts of energy as they jump all over each other and can't stop laughing.
Secondly, they are noticeably a lot younger than most of the other people in the crowd.
They said: “We love a bargain and we love music. Sometimes we share clothes and to be honest we just wear whatever we feel like.
“The punk style is cool but it isn’t our only influence, there’s so much stuff online so it just depends.”
The group doesn't appear to care about what anyone thinks and is there just for the purpose of a good time - reminding everyone else what the scene is all about.
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