At Grant high in the San Fernando Valley my few punk friends I and used to hang out at recess and lunch. We stood out and were always on the defense. we were talked about, laughed at and treated like garbage, but that didn’t stop us from forming our own styles. We had no intention whatsoever to be like the in-crowd or blend in like sheep.

Seeing photos of us now, we look rather conservative compared to how most conventional people appear today.

Walking around any city you see colorful folks of all ages, tattooed, pierced and decorated anyway they see fit. There’s no ridicule or stares or name calling. No one spitting in your face or really even noticing you.

It was a pretty silly time to be a teen but I prefer it to today where everyone is just following the trend of the moment. Punk styling doesn’t necessarily make one a punk. It was and still is an attitude and a rebellion.