John Bathory if he was Red

Bad interactions with people who listen to folk punk stripping the term punk of all meaning, saying it's not about the elements of the genre, but the lyrics. Some people believe anything is punk as long as an anarchist leftist agrees with it.

Folk punk also sadly isn't actually a punk genre. I would consider rogue folk a more suitable name for the genre, especially considering that was it's original name.

Worth noting; I only see people who listen to folk punk or other wannabe punk music say it's about the lyrics.

I may sound like an elitist for this post, but I'm really just trying to help define a genre that's been watered down to nothing. If it helps my case at all, I do consider pop punk a punk genre. Sure, the whole concept goes against what punk symbolized for years, but it's still a punk genre whether we like it or not.

From what I've heard of it, it definitely has punk influences both lyrically and sonically, but it is simply folk played fast and performed by punks. Yes, it may experiment with fry vocals at times, with crust folk, but fry vocals derive from extreme metal, not punk.

A lot of people want to be considered a punk, maybe because they feel safe with punks, and I get that. The punk community is known to be overall chill and accepting of any and all outcasts. Of course that's something you'd want to be a part of, but don't let that blind you from what punk is; a music based subculture.

I have no doubts a lot of punks are very happy that you want to be a part of this, but if you want to be a part of it, you have to understand and indulge in it. I know folk punk is important to a lot of people. Listen to what you want. Walk your own path and don't care what people label you as.

I, for example, am very similar to most punks in a lot of ways; ideologies, style, my actions and personality. I'm not doing these things to be punk and I don't care if people call me a punk. I do it because it makes me happy and I want to make a difference in the world, even if it's a small one and the will to make these differences came from the actions I have seen done by this community and the words spoken by my favorite artists.

Punks can welcome you as one of their own, even if you're not a punk. What's really important is that we can get along and not get caught up in what a "true punk" is.

Found this old Anti-Cimex documentary while looking for the new one.