Youth Culture - Mods

Mods (modernist) is a youth culture that originated in London, in 1950s and peaked in the early-to-mid 1960s. A revival was also sparked in the 1970's, brought about in some way, by the film Quadrophenia (1979).

Significant elements of the mod subculture include fashion (often tailor-made suits); music, including African American soul, Jamaican ska, British beat music, and R&B; and motor scooters. The original mod scene was also associated with amphetamine-fuelled all-night dancing at clubs. From the mid-to-late 1960s and onwards, the mass media often used the term mod in a wider sense to describe anything that was believed to be popular, fashionable, or modern.

The revival of the mod culture was sparked by the film Quadrophenia and by mod-influenced bands such as The Jam, Secret Affair, Purple Hearts and The Chords. Many of the mod revival bands were influenced by the energy of British punk rock and New Wave music.

We believe that the mod culture could be a reaction to the rocker culture which was established in the same period (1950's), although it could also have been a reaction to a lack of freedom, and becoming a mod meant they could be part of a group and be their own person.