Influences of ska punk within my digipak

The idea for my digipak was influenced by the American phenomenon ska punk.

The album covers from ska-punk bands Less Than Jake and Sonic Boom Six use mainly graphics for their Digi-paks. In doing this they are responding to the youth culture within ska which is the 'skateboarder image' and their target audience of young males between 16-25. They do this by orientating their graphics around rebellion and crime. These are two conceptions often linked to listeners of ska-punk, that they are against the law and are free-willed.

This is the cover of Less Than Jakes album 'Absoloution For Idiots'. The graphics used show razor blades, alcohol and drugs. Immediatley a fan will be able to look at this digi-pak cover and feel that they can relate to the ban by using the idea that 'this band is rebellious, if I listen to their music then so will I'. Less Than Jake are responding to their target audience and picking up on the stereotypical image given to teenagers and instead of trying to fight against it they are working with it to give their target audience the power to rebel.

This album cover works similarly with Less Than Jake in the way it responds to the target audience. The image of the 'corrupt' security gard holding a gun represents how the law is corrupting the cities we live in as the colours within the image are dull and oppressing as though we are suffocated by what society tells us what we can and can't do. This therefore links back to teen rebellion and the image represents how the law doesnt allow free-will on the young. Therefore by using this image Sonic Boom Six are marketing that in listening to their music you are going against what soicety is telling you to do.

I feel my digi-pak was influenced by American ska-punk as I am promoting teen rebellion within my images and, like Sonic Boom Six, I am showing how society can corrupt those around us. For instance within my image I am showing a teen who is stereotypical of youth culture. He is stereotypical as he is wearing a hoody to hide is face and gives off the impression that he doesn't care. By using this image I am allowing fans of Smaller Than You to relate to the image and therefore relate to Smaller Than You's music with the idea that 'Smaller Than You know you hate this streotype and so do Smaller Than You'. I've also resonded to the stereotype associated with ska-punk which is the 'skateboarder' image. This also shows how I have responded to the youth culture recognised of my target audience of young males aged between 16 and 25.