The punk movement was a countercultural movement closely associated with punk rock music that emerged in the mid-70's. The punk movement was characterized by anti-authoritarian, anti-corporate, and anarchist tendencies, as well as freedom of personal expression and self-reliance. .
Key Figures[]
The Clash[]
The Clash is a punk rock band from the late 70's that formed in England and contributed to movements there that eventually made it over to the U.S. They wrote music about issues they viewed in society such as war and social equality.
Courtney Love[]
Courtney Love is a punk rock-star known for her band Hole. She wrote graphic, confrontational songs for Hole and put them on the punk map. She is known for her erratic and often chaotic behavior and her frequent trips to rehab facilities.
Sid Vicious[]
Sid Vicious was the bassist for the infamous UK punk rock outfit Sex Pistols. Vicious was drafted into the band more for his outsized persona and fearless attitude than his skills as a bass player. Vicious is the subject of the feature film Sid and Nancy, which describes the end days of his life, including his murder of his wife Nancy and subsequent drug overdose.
The Sex Pistols[]
An english punk rock band of the mid-late 70s lead by vocalist Johnny Rotten
The Ramones[]
The Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in New York in 1974. They were originally
made of four people: Joey Ramone, Johnny, DeeDee, and manager Tommy Ramone. They wrote songs related to the societal issues in American like the wars.
Sub-genres, Eras, & Revivals[]
Grunge[]
Grunge music is a genre of rock popularized in the late 80's and early 90's. Grunge music is often characterized by distorted guitar and lyrics conveying pain or angst. Bands such as Nirvana, Hole, and Pearl Jam found success in this area of music.
Emo/Pop Punk[]
Pop Punk, which came out of the mid-nineties alternative scene, was catapulted by the mainstream success of bands like The Offspring, Green Day, Sum 41, Weezer, Eve 6, and Blink 182. The radio play and overall access to this sound made the younger generation eager to continue exploring the sound, which talked about coming of age, angst, love, and overall relatable topics for teenagers.
This made way for the rise of more "emo" pop-punk groups such as Panic! At The Disco, The All American Rejects, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, andMy Chemical Romance. These groups resonated with Gen Z and Millienials transitioning through the mid 2000s, and later paved the way for a pop-punk renewal around 2015 with bands like Neck Deep, Modern Baseball, The Story So Far, The Wonder Years, and Real Friends.