Conclusion

Abstract

The 1990s underground punk scene fostered a culture and politics of resistance against and an alternative to the triumphalism of US empire. Evaluating the successes and failures of the 1990s punk renaissance offers lessons for future alternative cultures seeking to use music to foster political change. Involvement in antiracist movements and protests against globalized capitalism, such as the 1999 “Battle in Seattle,” battles over inclusion within the punk scene, the dangers of becoming insular, and struggles over concrete political commitment versus sloganeering or “lifestylism” all highlight the challenges of creating and sustaining a music of rebellion.