In 1976, older people in Britain were shocked by a new type of music called punk. It was fast and loud and expressed anger against society. But it was more than just music - it was a new youth cul­ture.

Most punk bands (as well as their fans) were from poor work ing-class families. They were felt very pessimistic about the future. Their angry lyrics criticized big business, the media and the gov­ernment. The subjects of many other punk lyrics were boredom and teenage rebellion. 'Punk rock had a message to society that all was not well and all were not equal.'

One of the best-known punk bands — the Sex Pistols — sang songs about anarchy and destruction and  called  for  rebellion. They shocked many people by using bad language and insulting the Queen.

Punk music had simple structures and arrangements. The songs were short and fast, and the lyrics were often shouted out.

As John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) from the Sex Pistols famously said, 'We're into chaos, not music!'

Later, by the mid-1980s, punk music became more varied, intelligent and artistic.

Like all teenage generations, punks wanted to be different. To show their individuality they wore torn trousers and T-shirts, safety pins. Their coloured and spiky hair­styles shocked old grannies and teachers.

30 years on, punk is still alive. Many famous rock bands play punk and you can see people wearing punk fashions in the streets of big cities.

( 1167 знаков)

1)    What did a new type of music called punk express in 1976?

2)    What did most punk bands critisize?

3)    Why did the best-known punk band - the Sex Pistols - shock many people?

4)    How did punk music change later?

5)    What do punks wear?