By my recollection, some kids were already saying this back when I first encountered the punk scene in '86 or thereabouts; but it really hit a high point in the 90s when all the squares were re-discovering punk. It got another burst of energy when John Lydon started getting in the news for saying nice things about Right-wing politicians; and again when this TV show came out. It's a damned odd belief for an informed person to hold.