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3 days ago · Most divisive: Devo. Over 700 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Classic Punk. 1. The Clash. 301 votes. The Clash reigned supreme as the explosive pioneers of British punk rock and political activism, creating a unique sound that resonated deeply with disenchanted youth of the late 70s and 80s.
- Black Flag
- Sex Pistols
- The Clash
- Ramones
- The Cramps
- Dead Kennedys
- Bad Brains
- Generation X
- The Exploited
- 7 Seconds
One of the original punk bands to come out of the thriving hardcore scene, Black Flag, and seminal singer, Henry Rollins, spent years touring and producing ground-breaking music, with lyrics running the gamut from celebrations of pop-culture minutiae (“TV Party,” anyone?) to political protests. Next: The greatest punk songs ever recorded (our picks...
Often credited with creating the British punk movement, or at least the ones to term the coin “punk,” the Sex Pistols managed to create a cultural shift with their loud sound and brash, system-bashing lyrics. Next: Most iconic and best bands of all time
Headed by the legendary Joe Strummer, The Clash spent the better part of two decades creating undeniably great music. While many of their older standards never made it to the mainstream, they did enjoy chart successwith their 1983 release, “Combat Rock.” Next: Top 1980s rock bands list (our picks)
Three chords and a guitar were all the Ramones needed to revolutionize the NYC music scene. These CBGB regularsplayed fast and hard, with short songs and simple, catchy lyrics about the insanity of everyday life in America.
The Cramps created an entirely new sound, mixing genres from exotica to punk and rockabilly into a stew of dark tunes. Known for their hedonistic lifestyle, they toured for three decades before disbanding after the death of their singer, Lux Interior.
Dead Kennedys were one of the top US bands to come from the early punk movement and are known for their heavily political songs and singer Jello Biafra’s later career in spoken word. While the band’s legacy may not expand to chart-topping hits, their hard-hitting lyrics have left an indelible impression on the history of punk rock.
Bad Brains, originally known as Mind Power, were one of the first all-black punk rock bands to gain national fame in the late 70s. With undeniably loud music and compelling lyrics, they continue to influence the genre to this day, extending even beyond punk, as evidenced by their long-standing collaborative relationship with hip hop stars, Beastie ...
English punk rock mavericks, Generation X, are well known for launching frontman Billy Idol’s career. But they were a force in their own right, making it into the UK singles chart 6 times—an impressive feat for any band but particularly unusual in the earliest days of punk rock.
A truly grass-roots punk band, The Exploited made music that was fast, dirty, and hard. Their shows inspired both rabid fandom and multiple injuries, but they maintain a strong fanbase to this day.
Reno-born punk and hardcore band 7 Secondscame together in 1980 and has been going strong ever since. Originally formed by two sets of brothers, the band has undergone numerous personnel changes through the years, but two of the members remain.
Mar 12, 2024 · 1. The Ramones. One of the pioneering punk bands in the US and the world, the Ramones started in the NYC borough of Queens in 1974. The group got its name from the Beatles’ bassist Paul McCartney, who used “Ramon” as a fake surname when checking into hotels while on tour.
Aug 18, 2021 · August 18, 2021 | 1:00pm ET. Consequence’s Punk Week continues with a staff list of the genre’s Top 30 bands. Keep checking back throughout the week for interviews, lists, editorials and videos — it’s all things punk, all the time.
- Jon Dolan
- Dead Kennedys, ‘Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables’ (1980) Dead Kennedys' debut LP is the ultimate hardcore comedy album, with singer Jello Biafra playing Johnny Rotten as goofball satirist on songs like "California Über Alles" and "Holiday in Cambodia."
- Devo, ‘Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!’ (1978) As much performance-art collective as punk band, Devo screeched their way out of Akron, Ohio, with a brilliantly warped New Wave vision.
- White Lung, ‘Deep Fantasy’ (2014) This Vancouver band comes on like Black Flag fronted by the bastard daughter of Patti Smith and Stevie Nicks, with each song going off like a nail bomb of desire.
- Blink-182, ‘Enema of the State’ (1999) Blink-182's third LP reimagined Green Day's Dookie as one big, undeniably catchy fart joke. This pop-punk smash stayed on the charts for 70 weeks.
Apr 28, 2023 · 1. The Clash. They are subversive, politically biting, unflinchingly original – how could any band reach the heights of London legends The Clash? Indeed, they formed the backbone of much of the early punk movement in Britain, pioneering a sound that was dizzyingly exuberant and tirelessly innovative.
