Why are punk bands (and independent punk record labels) different?

Question by Doug: Why are punk bands (and independent punk record labels) different?
Usually, punk bands and their record labels love to release some of their songs for free all the time. Punk bands also usually sign to independent labels and don’t like major labels, but they usually start going downhill if they do sign to a major label. I also have trouble finding albums by independent bands in stores too (excluding at Hot Topic) even if they’re really popular. Do you have any idea why the nature of punk like this? Does punk seriously have to follow all these non-musical rules?

Best answer:

Answer by Mysterium Inq.
All real punk is indie.

“Do you have any idea why the nature of punk like this? Does punk seriously have to follow all these non-musical rules?”

The nature of punk is DIY. That is, a do-it-yourself ethic that commits the band to producing its own records, promoting, booking, and writing. Punk is always more concerned with message than with profit, so bands shun major labels and create their own. The message is generally anti-consumer, ‘sapere aude’ (dare to think for yourself) and anti-authoritarian. Commercial stores are not concerned with political and social reform, rather they prefer to sell light and easy entertainment that people will buy. Hence, a punk record being sold in a commercial store would not make sense.

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