CBGB R.I.P: How to Keep Punk in Your Life

Another piece from my colleague, Darryl Ohrt author of "The Punk Rock Brand!" (Also posted on Newsvine) from his blog BrandFlakesforBreakfast.com.

CBGB R.I.P: How to Keep Punk in Your Life
By Darryl Ohrt, VIA
darryl@viaworldwide.com

This weekend hosted the last shows at CBGBs, as the legendary punk club closed its doors on midnight on Sunday.

I still have the Village Voice ad from when my band was booked at CB's. Something dear to my heart. And so is the punk rock philosophy. A few weeks back, I wrote a piece about how the punk rock credo relates to creating a successful brand.

I believe that punk rock philosophy goes much deeper than music. For many punk rockers, like myself - it's become a part of our lives. And the way we do business.

So in this way, CBGB's will always be with us.

The venue doesn't matter anymore. Punk rock is happening all around us. Punk rockers still question authority. They're still creating messages that break through the clutter and drive change. And they're still producing media themselves - without expensive recording studios or big TV budgets. Look around you - the person in the cubicle next door just might be a punk rocker.

Here's five ways to keep punk rock alive in your life:

Question everything - especially authority, rules, and "the way it's always been done."

Promote change.

Live for the message. Not the money, not the lifestyle.

Be genuine.

Allow your audience to participate in the experience.

Punk rock lives. Even in the design, branding and blogging business. ;)

-Darryl Ohrt, former punk rocker guy