How did punk rock challenge mainstream music conventions in the 1970s?

Punk rock in the 1970s fundamentally transformed the music landscape by adopting a DIY ethic and a raw sound, which was a stark departure from the mainstream conventions of the time. This movement emerged as a reaction against the highly polished and commercially driven music that dominated the radio and popular charts. Punk artists emphasized authenticity and simplicity, often recording music in a straightforward manner that eschewed elaborate production techniques.

The raw sound characteristic of punk included fast tempos, short song structures, and often rudimentary musical skill, which created a sense of urgency and spontaneity. This approach resonated with audiences seeking a more genuine expression of dissatisfaction with contemporary society, as well as a rebellion against the glamorization of fame in the music industry. The DIY ethic encouraged musicians to produce and distribute their own music, often leading to independent labels and self-released albums, further distancing the genre from mainstream production practices.

In contrast to other options, the notion of elaborate visual performances is more aligned with glam rock, while traditional musical scales and highly polished production are characteristics of mainstream rock and pop that punk directly opposed.