Best Punk Rock Music Groups of All Time
Contents
A list of the best punk rock groups of all time, according to critics and fans alike.
The Ramones
The Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in 1974. They are often cited as the first true punk rock band. The Ramones were a major influence on the punk rock scene that followed them. Their music was fast, simple, and catchy. It was also full of energy and attitude. The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
The Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk rock movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians. Although their initial career lasted just two-and-a-half years and produced only four singles and one studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, they are considered one of the most influential acts in the history of popular music.
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1976 as a key player in the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, and rockabilly. For most of their recording career the Clash consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Topper Headon. Headon left the group in 1982 and was replaced by Pete Howard.
The Damned
The Damned are an English rock band formed in London in 1976. The group was the first punk rock band from the United Kingdom to release a single, “New Rose” (1976), release an album, Damned Damned Damned (1977), and tour the United States. They have experienced several line-up changes, with Captain Sensible and Dave Vanian as the only constant members.
Buzzcocks
Formed in 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and bassist-vocalist Howard Devoto, the Manchester, England-based Buzzcocks were one of the first punk bands to break through to the mainstream, thanks in large part to their infectious pop sensibility and sense of humor. After releasing a series of groundbreaking singles on their own independent label, the band signed to CBS Records in 1978 and released its debut album, Another Music in a Different Kitchen. While the record was not a commercial success, it cemented the Buzzcocks’ reputation as one of punk’s most accomplished and influential bands.
The Stooges
The Stooges, also known as Iggy and the Stooges, are an American rock band formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1967 by singer Iggy Pop, guitarist Ron Asheton, drummer Scott Asheton, and bassist Dave Alexander. The band was active until 1974, and reformed briefly in 2003. They are widely considered one of the most important and influential rock bands of their era.
MC5
The MC5 were an American punk rock band from the 1960s. They were one of the earliest and most influential punk rock groups, and their music reflected their political and social views. The band’s name stands for “Motor City Five.” The MC5 were known for their high-energy live performances and their revolutionary politics. They are considered one of the most important punk rock bands of all time.
The Heartbreakers
The Heartbreakers were a punk rock band that was formed in the late 1970s. The band was known for their fast, melodic songs and their energetic live shows. The Heartbreakers were one of the first punk rock bands to gain mainstream popularity, and they are considered to be one of the most influential punk rock bands of all time.
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys are an American punk rock band that formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band was one of the first American hardcore bands to make a significant impact in the United Kingdom. dead kennedys are considered one of the most influential and controversial punk bands of all time. The band was thrust into the national spotlight after the release of their second album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980), which became an underground success. The album’s provocative title track, “Too Drunk to Fuck”, as well as its equally offensive cover art, caused considerable controversy.
10)Descendents
Formed in the late 70s in Manhattan Beach, California, the Descendents were one of the first punk rock bands to fuse the fast-paced, high-energy sound of punk with the pop sensibilities of bands like the Beach Boys. With their blend of catchy melodies, smart lyrics, and thrashy guitars, the Descendents helped to define the Southern California punk sound and influenced countless punk and alternative bands that followed. The band’s lineup has changed several times over the years, but founding members Milo Aukerman and Bill Stevenson have remained constant forces in the Descendents’ three-decade-plus career. The band has released seven studio albums, including the classic Milo Goes to College, which was released in 1982 on SST Records.
