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Hardcore punk (commonly abbreviated to hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock.
- Hardcore
- Misfits
- Germs
- Bad Religion
- The Minutemen
- Hüsker Dü
- Circle Jerks
- Bad Brains
- Minor Threat
- Black Flag
- Dead Kennedys
New Jersey’s Misfits blended fast, thrashy tempos, and horror film imagery in their lyrics and look. Their 1982 debut, Walk Among Us, inadvertently spawned another subgenre, “horror core.”
Fronted by the late Jan Paul Beahm (AKA Darby Crash) and future Nirvana/Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear, Germs released LA’s first DIY punk single, “Forming,” in July 1977.
Challenging the punk manifesto, Bad Religion incorporated vocal harmonies and (cough) guitar solos into their music, but the Californian band’s 1982 debut, How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, still kicks up a mighty thunder.
Californian trio The Minutemen’s quirky, eclectic punk-pop sound heavily influenced what we now call “alt.rock.” Their third album, Double Nickels On The Dime, remains an essential purchase.
This Minneapolis trio included two ace singer-songwriters in Bob Mould and Grant Hart. They later signed with Warner Bros, but their 1981 debut, Land Speed Record, is still a seething hardcore classic.
Prominent LA hardcore quartet Circle Jerks were formed by ex-Black Flag vocalist Keith Morris. On their furious 1980 debut, Group Sex, they romped through 14 tracks in just 16 minutes.
Led on vocals by HR, Washington DC-based American-American quartet Bad Brains blended spiritual roots reggae with blistering punk rock. Their debut 45, “Pay To Cum,” is still utterly incendiary.
Also from DC, Minor Threat were fronted by future Fugazi leader and Dischord Records boss Ian MacKaye. Their anti-inebriation anthem, “Straight Edge,” was a whole new philosophy in itself.
Pioneering Southern California hardcore band featuring guitarist Greg Ginn and vocalist Henry Rollins whose catalogue includes nihilistic classics such as 1981’s Damaged.
Formed in the late 1970s, this controversial San Franciscan band’s peerless catalogue includes both timeless 45s (“Holiday In Cambodia”) and albums such as Plastic Surgery Disasters. Think we’ve missed one of the top 10 hardcore punk bands like New York City hardcore scene legends like Agnostic Front or Cro-Mags? How about d-beat pioneers Discharge...
Mar 26, 2019 · L.A.'s Black Flag, Washington D.C.'s Minor Threat, and Bad Brains were the primary pioneers of the hardcore sound, which also ushered in the era of slam dancing at punk rock shows. While it had been around for a while at punk rock shows, the intensity of hardcore music really brought it into prominence.
Hardcore Punk. The most rigid and extreme variation of punk rock, Hardcore Punk, was primarily an American sensation that took shape in Los Angeles and New York, with small, individual scenes dominating the east and west coasts soon after. Washington DC, Boston, and San Francisco played massive roles in the growth of the genre.
- Black Flag – Damaged (1981) They may not have been the first hardcore band (we’ll get to them in a second), but Black Flag remain the first thing that comes into most people’s heads when the genre is brought up.
- Bad Brains – Rock for Light (1983) They may have missed out on releasing the first ever hardcore song, but Washington quartet Bad Brains are generally thought of as being the very first full hardcore band.
- Gorilla Biscuits – Start Today (1989) By the time the late 80s came around, hardcore had become an inhospitable, chaotic scene, dominated by violent deeds, one-note aggression and dogmatic attitudes toward what and who could be considered part of the genre.
- Converge – Jane Doe (2001) Is Jane Doe strictly a hardcore album? It’s hard to say; metalcore, noise-rock and no wave influences all permeate the Boston band's 2001 masterpiece.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 15 of the best hardcore punk bands of all time, exploring their sounds, attitudes, and the impact they had on the genre. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the scene, this article will take you through the loud, fast, and defiant world of hardcore punk.
Hardcore punk, often simply called hardcore, is a raw, fast, and intense style of music that emerged in the late 70s and early 80s. It's like punk rock's louder, tougher sibling. The tunes are typically short, fast-paced, and loaded with powerful riffs and rapid drumming.
