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The mods of Quadrophenia show off their wheels.
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"Zoot suit, white jacket with side vents five inches long. —The Who, "Cut My Hair"
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A sort of precursor to the modern Hipster, only with far more amphetamines and street fights, the Mod subculture emerged in England in the early 1960s. Characteristics included wearing tailor-made suits and army jackets, listening to soul, ska, and R&B as well as bands such as The Who, The Kinks and The Small Faces, riding Italian scooters, and fighting with The Rival Rocker subculture, who preferred the leather-jacketed "Greaser" look and American rock and roll music like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley. This rivalry came to a head at the Brighton Beach Riots of 1964, as shown in the film Quadrophenia. The subculture experienced a revival in the late 1970s and early 1990s, and subsequently influenced the Britpop explosion in the 1990s.
Comic Books[]
- Long Hot Summer, by Eric Stephenson and artist Jamie McKelvie, follows a young mod in Southern California during the revival of the 1980s.
- Although she's technically the godess of Britpop, the Goddess Britannia in Phonogram sports a mod look.
- 2003 Oni Press miniseries Scooter Girl.
- Blue Monday, by the same writer as Scooter Girl.
- DC Comics 1960s teen humour title Swing With Scooter centred around a scooter riding Mod.
Film[]
- Most of the cast of Quadrophenia. The film, based on the album by The Who, follows Jimmy, a young mod, as he pops pills, rides his scooter, and stares aimlessly out at the ocean trying to find himself.
- There is a gang of Mods in SLC Punk!. They are portrayed as the punks' rivals, excepting one who moves freely between social groups.
- Austin Powers
- Several characters in the 2010 film of Brighton Rock, which is set in 1964 and uses the Brighton Beach Riots as a backdrop.
Television[]
- The rivalry between Mods and Rockers featured prominently in one episode of Inspector George Gently.
- In an episode of The Mighty Boosh, Vince goes for the Mod look.
Western Animation[]
- Teen Titans villain Mad Mod, voiced by Malcolm McDowell.