My Alternative tribe.

Gangs of London. & Broken Britain.

Today it is continuously brought to our attention that there are changes with underground Britain; It is not so much underground but more in your face overground. Gangs are a lot more common on our streets today and although I dont live in any of the larger cities that suffer this gang culture, I am aware it is happening. There are a lot more urban street style films being made telling stories of the lives within this 'scene'. Much of it tells tales that are actually quite sad; usually a young person looking up to their peers and feeling pressured to carry out initiations they are made to do. These sometimes involving killing somebody just so they are allowed into their chosen gang. There is sex, drugs and violence. Very similar to that of the tribal cultures I have researched previously. Including the initiation process.

  'London riots: social media helped gangs orchestrate the looting, says MP

Karen Buck claims there is 'deep denial' of spread of gang culture in city and calls for inquiry into role of social media

 She has been particularly concerned by the growth of videos posted on YouTube and the Spifftv website, made by rival gangs in central London, with gang members performing hip-hop and rap songs, written about their area, filmed against the backdrop of local estates. Some of the videos are professionally and expensively produced; some have confrontational lyrics, threatening gangs in other areas.'

The Guardian, Thursday 11 August 2011

I watched this film recently directed by Plan B a 'Visionary Artist'. I have become a fan of this type of film. There are various similar films that have been released over the years but I love the way in which this one has been made. Plan B's latest album 'Ill Manors' actually narrates you through the whole film; the album tells a story. I find it very relevant to my thoughts and ideas of the link between tribes through out the world. They are all not that dissimilar to one another however, this culture we have in Britain seems very urban and modern and a lot more real as we see it mentioned day to day and witness it with our own eyes.

 

 

I Found this following information on Http://www.britishcouncil.org. 

 I like it because it shows how this country is so stereotypical and these are the types of groups or "tribes" that people (more likely youths) are catergorise in to. I do agree that people within these groups are infact tribe like - seeing as I have learnt from my original research of the definition of a tribe that it is a group; a culture. Everyone connects together, wearing the same fashion, listening to the same music, attending the same places. Its the cultural difference and preference of the individuals forming together with others alike. This concept of catergorisation has been around for years. I remember my mum telling me about the 'Kevins' and the 'Sharons'. It was a whole style which I guess would translate into the nowaday term of 'chav'. When I was at school I remember you were either a 'Korn' or a 'Kev'. A 'Korn' was a rock/metaller type style and the 'Kev' was actually the same as a 'Kevin' and a 'chav' just an abbreviated version. Nowadays however, I feel there are definitely a lot more variations of styles. Obviously we are continually adapting, developing and experimenting with new styles, instruments, textures, social media. Everything around is changing and we evolve with it. Some however (like myself) like to think they are not in a certain catergory. They like to mash up all the different 'tribes'. To pick and chose from each what they like and put it together to form their own personality and individual style. This is the same with Make up. The choice to have facial piercings or tattoos. This is where I feel this new, modern and ever changing concept of the 'tribe' is relevant to this project as we ourselves are part of something cultural and unique. It is our choice to be who we want to be. It is our choice to join with others who are similar and stand up to our beliefs and passions. But we can also be part of a cultural mash up which is relevant to this project.

Tribal warfare

There is a huge range of youth culture in the UK. Are we divided into different tribes, or are the boundaries less clear cut?

Walk through any town in the UK and you will see a wide and wild mix of young cultures and style. They group together, some would say in gangs. These gangs are generally softer, friendlier than the punks and teddy boys of the past, more like tribes. So what are the main tribes?

Chavs and scallies
Stereotypically they wear flashy gold jewellery, tracksuits, ‘hoodies’ and baseball caps. They like rap music and RnB. Jane, 14, says ‘I’ve been called a chav, but I don’t think I am. I just like to wear brand labels – I think they look good!’

Baby Goths

Goths love everything black – long black hair, black make up, black clothes, and black painted nails. They are often fascinated by the occult, and they listen to music like Marilyn Manson, HIM and Sisters of Mercy. Tom, 17, describes himself as a Goth, ‘Yeah I wear a lot of black, but it’s not a necessity. Being a Goth is more about the music you listen to.’

Skaters

This group love their skateboards. They wear baggy jeans and have lots of tattoos of body piercings. ‘I spend most of my time hanging about in the town centre. There are lots of places to practise new skateboard tricks,’ says Mark, 16.

Indie kids

Indies are very passionate about guitar music. They wear skinny jeans and scruffy trainers and go to lots of music gigs. Indie Emma, 21, says ‘at the moment I love the Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian, but there are always new bands coming up.’

Mixed up

There are many more tribes than these four examples. With so many different types, can there be clear cut distinctions between current UK tribes? Matt, 20, doesn’t think so, ‘I don’t classify myself as belonging to one group. I wear baggy jeans (like skaters), I have long hair (like Goths) and I play my guitar a lot (like Indies). It doesn’t really matter as long as you fit in with your own friends. Anyway trends change so fast it’s hard to keep up.’

Future Tribes

A lot of us are more like Matt, a mix of aspects defining each tribe. But what will be the next tribes? Research by Ramp Industries predicts that the Olympic Games in London in 2012 will create a sports-obsessed tribe, and rising environmental problems will lead to a tribe called ‘the activists’. We’ll have to wait and see.