Bullock Texas State History Museum
What Isn't the New Punk Rock?
RECEIVED Sun., April 1, 2007
Dear Editor,
It was great to see Austin's old-time-music scene getting some media attention [“Dueling Banjos,” Music, March 30]. Thank you. Mark Rubin's piece was thoughtful and informed. But I cringed at the suggestion that old-time music is “the new punk rock.” Yes, for sure, there are some striking similarities between the two genres. But what hasn't been called “the new punk rock” by now? According to Amelie Gillette, in a March 15 article for the A.V. Club Web site: "At this point there are only three things in the world that haven't been called 'the new punk rock': zoos, Carnival cruises, and Talbot's." This particular rhetorical move is, by now, a cliché. I'm disappointed. I expected the Chronicle editors, and Mr. Rubin, to be more culturally savvy.
It was great to see Austin's old-time-music scene getting some media attention [“Dueling Banjos,” Music, March 30]. Thank you. Mark Rubin's piece was thoughtful and informed. But I cringed at the suggestion that old-time music is “the new punk rock.” Yes, for sure, there are some striking similarities between the two genres. But what hasn't been called “the new punk rock” by now? According to Amelie Gillette, in a March 15 article for the A.V. Club Web site: "At this point there are only three things in the world that haven't been called 'the new punk rock': zoos, Carnival cruises, and Talbot's." This particular rhetorical move is, by now, a cliché. I'm disappointed. I expected the Chronicle editors, and Mr. Rubin, to be more culturally savvy.
Ellen Briggs
