WHAT IS, AND IS NOT  STEAMPUNK

By Captain Robert, republished with permission from his blog.  (Source of article can be found HERE.)

Steampunk is Victorian styled Science fiction. At least, that's how it started. Currently, Steampunk is a subculture full of people doing a million amazing things that may have drifted from that original definition quit a ways, but as part of the NEW definition of “Steampunk is our subculture”, its now all Steampunk.

For example: when “Gothic” started, it was an architectural style, looking like this:

The subculture was inspired by that, and eventually evolved to the point of having nothing to do with that style:

In that later photo, you'll notice absolutely nothing that could have existed during the actual time frame that Gothic architecture was created. It is, however, completely Goth, because the subculture dictates that it is.

Steampunk was originally a genera, and aesthetic that played on Victorian aesthetics, but mixed it up. The problem is, not much has changed in mens formal fashion since Victorian times, so for something to be “Steampunk” it HAS to include some “mash-up” with modern, or science fiction elements.

This Victorian suit is not Steampunk, its Victorian:

This Contemporary tux is not Steampunk, its contemporary. Fashion has not changed a ton for mens formal wear.

Lincoln, in the suit above, with power arms and goggles, IS Ever-fucking-Steampunk, bitches!

WHAT IS, AND IS NOT STEAMPUNK MUSIC:

Now, the reason Steampunk music is so hard to pin down, is precisely the same: pure Victorian music is not Steampunk, it's Victorian. Victorian music is typically quiet “Classical” to our ears (here I'm using classical in the more popular, less historically accurate sense). Piano and voice, Harpsicord or orchestral. Backbeat Banjo and a megaphone came later, but that sound is nostalgic. Vaudevillian music is something we hear a lot in the newer Steampunk bands, but again, that's not steam punk: its vaudevillian, which actually started as the Victorian area ended.

So, in order to keep with our definitions of Steampunk, Steampunk music has to have elements of Victorian, and Science Fiction. Victorian and Futuristic mixed. The problem is, Sci-fi Synths coupled with Piano, Harpsichord, or Orchestral music existed long before the Steampunk evolved as a subculture. So to some ears Steampunk music doesn't sound very exotic, and to many, Steampunk music sounds like “Modern Music With Steampunk Lyrics”. That's because (like the contemporary tuxes above) many elements of Victorian music never went away, and they have been mixed with modern music all along.

You could also try Victorian music with Modern Lyrics, if you wanted to, and I guess that would technically work, too.


Gilbert, “I am the very model of a modern Major Astronaut"
Sullivan, "dude, WTF? Knock that shit off."

Now, the subculture has broadened to include Diesel Punks, Atomic Punks, Da Vinci Punks, etc. An ever growing list of bad-ass new mash-ups. All very Steampunk, since they are part of our subculture.

What does that mean for Steampunk Music? It means that to stay consistent to our definitions, you are allowed as an artist to go all kinds of fun directions, as long as you are mixing old and new in a way that the subculture likes. On our new album (due Oct 15th), we have VERY Victorian pieces, but we also have A LOT of Diesel Punk, Post Apocalyptic Punk, and some new things that are just now evolving, like this new Western-Punk trend that all the cons are excited about this coming year. For Example, our piece Victorian Vigilante is lyrically just Victorian with some magical-horror-scifi elements in the lyrics. The musical arrangement, however, is very anachronistically blended Vaudeville and Dark New Orleans Dixieland. So, Steampunk from the stand point of “This is a mix of things the Steampunk subculture is doing”.

Steampunk WAS "Victorian Science Fiction".

Steampunk IS: "things the subculture does".

Captain Robert is the lead singer of Abney Park, America's foremost Steampunk band.  Their new album The End of Days will be available for sale October 15, 2010.  Be sure to get your copy today.