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Punk Is Dead, But Not Forgotten
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Okay, so it's not "dead" per say. But much like many genres of metal, it'll never be the same. My point is, this list will not feature Blink 182. I am by no means an expert in the genre, but this is a list of required listening entry-level punk that even the heaviest of metal fans should find something to enjoy. Links are in the first comments box. Most go to full albums, but some to single songs.

Created by: flightoficarus | 12.02.2015


1. Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
1980: This album is like a punk rock Jesus sent to turn water into punk. Punk. PUNK! Some of the most eviscerating social commentary out there.
2. Bad Religion - Against the Grain
1990: Fast, hard, political. One of my favorite albums of all time.
3. Bad Religion - No Control
1989: See above. They could be part I and part 2.
4. Ramones - Ramones
1976: It's a timeless classic. Without this album, I have no idea what "punk" would sound like.
5. Bad Religion - The Process of Belief
2002: Huge comeback after what was probably their worst album. Of their post-90's stuff, this is where it's at. Supersonic, Kyoto Now, Evangeline. All amazing.
6. Ramones - Rocket to Russia
1977: Cretin Bop. Hilarious, biting, fun.
7. Black Flag - Damaged
1981: Henry Rollins is a hero of mine for many reasons, but this is where it all begins. Inconsistent, but entertaining.
8. AFI - Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes
1997: Before they turned into a bunch of fashion-rock pussies, AFI put out 3-4 solid albums of grit-your-teeth, balls-to-the-wall punk. This is my personal favorite and their debut.
9. Green Day - Dookie
1994: Similar to above. Now writing ballads for the radio and wearing eye-liner, Green Day used to kill it. One of the last great punk albums.
10. The Offspring - Smash
1994: Bad Habit. 'nuff said. But honestly every track on here is solid. This is in my regular rotation at all times.
11. Alkaline Trio - Goddamnit
1998: Another group that has gone pretty south, they still have a wealth of good punk songs in their earlier career. Grim social commentary broken up by the occasional funny moments such as "Cop."
12. Descendents - Milo Goes to College
1982: Hilarious. If you don't laugh, you're dead inside.
13. NOFX - Punk in Drublic
1994: Fat Mike's voice is a bit of an acquired taste, but it is punk rock to the core. This is their best album imo. Of the later stuff, I also recommend "The War on Errorism."
14. Rancid - Rancid
1993: Listen to those monster bass lines. I drool over them every time.
15. MXPX - Life in General
1996: In some ways, MXPX is to blame for the slew of pop-punk that took over in the late 90's. But no one did it as well while still keeping the slider closer to the punk side of the spectrum.
16. Anti-Flag - Die for your Government
1996: The title track has one of the best sing-along moments ever. "Drink Drank Punk" is a great anthem as well. Great stuff.
17. Dropkick Murphys - Blackout
2003: I also love The Meanest of Times, and Warrior's Code, but this was a more breakout album. Great Boston vibe and Irish heritage.
18. Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!
2006: Chicagoans to the core. This album is so fast it will leave you wondering where your wallet, and your pants, went.
19. Rancid - Let's Go!
1994: Rancid part II. A bit longer and not quite as consistent, but great cuts on here.
20. Rancid - ?And Out Come the Wolves
1995: I'll admit that I pretty much hate ska, but as far as making the jump, Rancid did it better than anyone else. The ska elements never manage to take over and make this sound like totally radio-friendly fare.
21. Toxic Narcotic - 89-99
1989-1999: This is most metal punk band I know. It's some gutter, kick you while you're down punk. Favorite tracks include "Asshole," "People Suck," and "Fuck You." You get the idea.
22. The Clash - London Calling
1979: I am also not a big fan of the Clash. The new wave influences on their sound (or the other way around depending on how you look at it) turns me off. However, this is my favorite album of theirs. The title track and "Clampdown" always make it into my punk playlists.


Disclaimer: All top lists are unofficial and do not represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
[ More lists by flightoficarus ]



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Comments: 35   Visited by: 100 users
14.02.2015 - 23:40
flightoficarus
Stamp Tramp
Written by Erik M. on 14.02.2015 at 21:19

Written by [user id=136611] on 13.02.2015 at 22:45

yeah i love his punk band too

Yeah, well, I don't really have anything to add to the list since I never cared for punk. Then again, I listened to stuff such as Sum 41 (my first concert ever was here in 013, in 2001 I think it was), Blink 182 etc. when I was in high school, but according to some people here that isn't punk. I always thought it was, though.

Common mistake of youth, but it's the equivalent of saying you like black metal, but you only listen to Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth.
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19.02.2015 - 18:19
moe5512
Some good shit, some decent shit and some shit shit.. IMO you can never put Anti Flag on a list of good punk bands and have a straight face
I have never got into Bad Religion, I think they have a too "clean" sound for punk.
I would like to add Operation Ivy only album and Against Me's first, both are classics. Gogol Bordello and Flogging Molly also deserve a mention!
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19.02.2015 - 18:45
flightoficarus
Stamp Tramp
Written by moe5512 on 19.02.2015 at 18:19

Some good shit, some decent shit and some shit shit.. IMO you can never put Anti Flag on a list of good punk bands and have a straight face
I have never got into Bad Religion, I think they have a too "clean" sound for punk.
I would like to add Operation Ivy only album and Against Me's first, both are classics. Gogol Bordello and Flogging Molly also deserve a mention!

Regarding Anti Flag, I agree in general, but that album is plenty punk enough to warrant being on this list. Now to immediately follow your statement by saying that Bad Religion is too "clean" for punk...THAT is something that cannot be said with a straight face

Flogging Molly's Drunken Lullabyes almost made the list. I felt like it was a little too folk to fit in.
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19.02.2015 - 18:55
moe5512
Written by flightoficarus on 19.02.2015 at 18:45

Now to immediately follow your statement by saying that Bad Religion is too "clean" for punk...THAT is something that cannot be said with a straight face

More exactly the vocals, the singer is good but maybe too good?
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19.02.2015 - 19:12
flightoficarus
Stamp Tramp
Written by moe5512 on 19.02.2015 at 18:55

Written by flightoficarus on 19.02.2015 at 18:45

Now to immediately follow your statement by saying that Bad Religion is too "clean" for punk...THAT is something that cannot be said with a straight face

More exactly the vocals, the singer is good but maybe too good?

It was a grower for me. I thought similarly many years ago, but now they are probably my favorite punk band.
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