Did punk die when it hit the mainstream, or was that just its next evolution? Senior Leah Massa explores this question in her thesis, “Get Punk’d: The Fragmentation and Reinventions of London’s Punk Scene.” Drawing on archival research at London’s Bishopsgate Institute, Massa argues that punk’s rise to mainstream fame didn’t erase its political edge, but rather it amplified long-standing ideological divisions and reshaped the movement in unexpected ways.
Massa’s thesis takes a closer look at the splintering and evolution of London’s punk scene from 1976 to 1985.
“Many people believe that the moment punk became co-opted by the dominant culture, it lost its sociopolitical prowess and functionally ‘died’ after fragmenting in varying subgenres,” Massa explained. “However, I am arguing that punk was always composed of varying ideologies and that the influx of fame and money has only exacerbated these existing divisions. I also argue that punk looked different after its explosion into the mainstream, but it still maintained cultural value.”
Massa’s interest in this topic was sparked not only by her history major but also largely by her minor.
“I am a sociology minor and have always been interested in the interconnection of culture and politics,” Massa said. “This project allowed me to explore how countercultures resist dominant institutions.”
One of the most interesting aspects of Massa’s thesis work is her research process as a whole, which took place largely overseas and presented some challenges, but she was able to work through all of them and arrive at her thesis in its compelling final form.
“Most of my archival materials were located at London’s Bishopsgate Institute, which I would get to around 9 a.m. I would stay until 5 p.m., poring over fanzines and trying to identify how punks viewed themselves and the world around them. I compiled all my notes and saw a narrative arise that I knew I could write about,” Massa shared.
As is the case with many students’ senior theses, Massa’s original idea underwent many changes before she began writing.
“I initially wanted to write about labor unions in Manchester, but after going through a timesheet from a union meeting, I saw that there were groups listed that were small punk collectives,” she recalled. “This really intrigued me and made me start researching how politically involved punks were, particularly in grassroots organizations.”
She also had to overcome a few obstacles over the course of her thesis work, some of which were mental.
“The hardest part of writing the thesis is trusting in my ability to put together something interesting and well-written,” Massa confessed. “It has definitely challenged me to put forth my very best work, but with that comes bouts of imposter syndrome.”
However, to push through, Massa came up with a super imaginative routine to get her back into the flow of her work.
“While I was in London, I loved going to FWD:Coffee and making up lore about the baristas in my head to get my creativity rolling. These parasocial relationships kept me coming back and sitting down to actually get work done,” Massa shared.
This creative tip helped Massa push through any moments of doubt and mental fatigue, allowing her to stay focused and see her thesis through with clarity and confidence. Looking ahead to her time post-graduation, Massa feels confident that the research skills and persistence she honed during this project will serve her well beyond Colgate University.
“Being a history major has prepped me very well for my future after Colgate. I am planning on attending [University of Richmond School of Law] next semester and know that my research skills and the patience required to dig through thousands of archival materials will enable me to thrive in a J.D. program,” Massa said.
Massa’s thesis not only reconsiders the cultural legacy of London punk, but also reflects her own intellectual evolution at Colgate. As she heads to Richmond Law, her ability to think critically, research deeply and find meaning in unlikely places will no doubt continue to serve her well.
