International Greaser Equivalents: Rocker

Since we went overseas (figuratively) to visit raggare culture in Sweden, we should extend our European trip for this week! Our next stop is Great Britain. The crown jewel of the United Kingdom houses a similar subculture to greasers, which is called rockers. Rockers are similar to Greasers from societal perceptions, to origins, and characteristics.

Rocker subculture originated in the 1950s. They have assumed numerous nicknames, such as Ton-Up boys and Café Racers. After World War II, young people of the working class received more financial stability. More roads were built in 1950’s UK that resembled “race track-like arterial roads around British cities”. (1) Motorcycles were cast away in favor of motorcars. Rockers attached themselves to motorcycles because of the convenience. Stigma of motorcycles worsened after they were used by rockers because of frequent speeding. The media exaggerated the common rocker and demonized them. This caused a moral panic among citizens.

The rockers were usually found at transport cafes, which are the British equivalent to an American truck stop. Rockers used their bike for sport and image. Their bikes were used to intimidate others; paired with the heavily decorated leather jackets that flashed studs, rivets and skull and cross bones symbols. Rockers didn’t wear helmets, which furthered their death defying image. Rockers also wore t-shirts, jeans, motorcycle boots, and pompadour hairstyles. The style was still like greasers on account of practicality.

Rockers had somewhat of a real-life rivalry that resonates with a story like The Outsiders. Rockers developed conflict with a 60’s subculture, mod. Mods were also located in the UK at the time. Mods were known for their fashion and taste of what was popular at the time. Mod is short for modern. A mod was mostly interested in their tailor-made suits, soulful music, and a drug filled night life. Their vehicles of choice were their customized scooters. This conflict with rockers also worsened the moral panic by English residents.

In terms of influence, rocker subculture has gone on to inspire the Beatles and the rockabilly music genre. There was a short revival of rockers in the 1980s and reunions that occurred in the 90s.

What fascinates me the most about rockers is their rivalry with mods. A little drama is entertaining but to have it emulate a work of American greaser fiction is surprising. It makes me think of the question; “Could the conflict between rockers and mods could have had an influence on the Outsiders?” Let me know what you believe in the comments. Is it coincidence, or influence?

And away we go, Rockabeau ;)

Sources

"Rocker (subculture)", Wikipedia, 17 March, 2017. 30 March, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocker_(subculture)

Can the Modern-Day Public Recognize a Greaser?

In this segment of Rockabeau, we’re going to the public eye! Since Greasers are a dying breed, I was curious to see if anyone else, outside of my peer group, can recognize a greaser. I went around my University campus to chat up random strangers. I asked my fellow students, staff, and patrons these three questions below. 

1. How old are you, what gender and where from?
2. Can you recognize what I am, based off how I am dressed?
3. Do you know what a greaser is?

For the first question, I asked random selections for their location to see if it held a pattern of popularity in location of greasers. I asked for age to see if that also affected knowledge of greasers. Lastly, I asked for gender to see if that affected more masculine people, since Greasers as typically masculine.

With the second question, I asked my random selects if they could identify if I was a Greaser based off what I was wearing. I dressed as a stereotypical greaser, with a leather jacket, white t shirt, blue jeans, and boots with my hair slicked up.

While I don’t want to base my research off looks, greasers are typically known for the way that they dress.

Lastly, I asked my selects if they knew what a greaser is, to get to the point of this assignment. Below is a graph of my information

Random Select	Age	Gender	Location	Aware of what a Greaser is by historical knowledge or media	A description of who I am based on how I am dressed
1	18	Male	Indonesia	No/Neither	Casual
2	44	Female	Erie, PA	Both	Young college student
3	49	Male	Erie, PA	Historical knowledge	Typical college student
4	18	Male	Bronx, NY	Media	Normal person
5	19	Female	Erie, PA	Media	Normal person, skater?
6	21	Female	Rochester, NY	Media	Cool dude
7	62	Male	Erie, PA	Familial Relationship	Normal
8	55	Female	Erie, PA	Historical Knowledge	Student
9	21	Female	Cleveland, PA	Media	Normal
10	N/A	N/A	N/A	Historical Knowledge	Normal*

I was very surprised by the responses I got. Most of the people above who knew greasers from Media, could recognize greasers from the movie Grease. The young gentleman form the Bronx recognized greasers from The Outsiders.

The 62-year-old man had the most interesting recollection of greasers, because his brother was one. “You know the guys with the white t-shirts with the carton of cigarettes rolled up the sleeves”. He also gave me his card in case I could find a replica of my jacket. I would like to say, you have good taste, brother.

I was flattered by select #6 calling me a “cool dude”. Select #10 said that my style wasn’t too different. “American culture is so relaxed, today”, she said. Along with all the “normal” responses, it got me thinking. Either greaser style has had a positive effect on our culture for being blended in, or maybe our style just isn’t too different from others nowadays.

To my fellow greasers, do you think the public in your area could recognize a greaser? If so, tell ‘em Rockabeau sent ya.

And away we go, Rockabeau ;)