Definition of Mod Movement

In English the word mod is an abbreviation of modern jazz. He refers to a movement youth counterculture that emerged in London and other English cities in the late 1950s. Like other urban subgroups, this one presents an aesthetic, musical tastes and signs of identity cultural.

General features

They were staunch enemies of the rockers. While these were identified by their fondness for Harley motorcycles and leather clothing, the mods carried scooters or vespas. Both tribes had violent confrontations in London, Manchester and Liverpool. Rockers and mods are said to be the natural heirs of the British Teddy boys subculture.

The mod stands out for its elegance and, in fact, in the germ of this movement there were many young people whose parents were dedicated to the sector textile. His style of dress is characterized by fitted shirts, Italian suits, v-neck jumpers, harrington jackets and Levis 501 jeans. Her hairstyle mimics the French style cut. Those who adopted this aesthetic conveyed a vital message: I don't want to be like other young people.

Most of them were part of the new middle class that emerged after World War II.

They were young fans of the living rooms dance and to consumption of amphetamines. From a cultural point of view, this movement incorporates very heterogeneous elements: pop art, philosophy existentialist and literature beat.

Regarding their musical tastes, the young people of this subculture connected with different genres: ska, rhythm and blues and bebop. In the early 1960s there were three British groups associated with this trend: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who.

Other cultural references that bring us closer to the movement

When speaking of cultural movements and urban tribes, it should be remembered that literature and movie theater they end up expressing the spirit of the new aesthetic trends.

The novel "Absolute beginners" by Colin Maclnnes was published in 1959 and in it we find the typical characters of this youth culture. In the movie "A Clockwork Orange" you can appreciate the aesthetics and slang of those modern young people (in the film and in the homonymous novel also appear the teddy boys and rockers). Finally, in the 1979 film "Quadrophenia" the main character is a young man from the English city of Brigthton who He gets on badly with his parents, he is fed up with his work and that he only feels good with his mod friends looking for a fight with the rockers.

Fotolia photos: aleutie / brimeux / kichigin19