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Learn about the different types of punk rock music and their characteristics, origins, and influences. From afro-punk to queercore, discover the diversity and history of punk rock subgenres.
- Classic Punk. Classic Punk, often referred to simply as “punk,” is the genre’s foundational subgenre. Emerging in the mid-1970s in the United States and the United Kingdom, classic punk is characterized by its DIY (Do It Yourself) ethos, short and fast-paced songs, and rebellious, anti-establishment lyrics.
- Hardcore Punk. Hardcore punk takes the intensity of classic punk and cranks it up several notches. Emerging in the late 1970s and early 1980s, this subgenre is known for its blistering speed, aggressive vocals, and politically charged lyrics.
- Pop Punk. If classic punk and hardcore punk are the rebellious older siblings, pop punk is the catchy, more accessible cousin. Emerging in the late 1980s and reaching its peak popularity in the 1990s, pop punk combines the energy of punk with melodic hooks and relatable lyrics.
- Post-Punk. Post-punk emerged in the late 1970s as a reaction to the limitations of classic punk. Bands in this subgenre embraced experimentation and pushed the boundaries of punk music.
Apr 30, 2019 · Learn about the various types of punk genre, from cyberpunk to biopunk, and how they use technology and society to create fantastical worlds. Find examples, subgenres and links to explore more about each punk genre.
- Anarcho-Punk
- Oi!
- Hardcore Punk
- Post-Hardcore Punk
- Horror Punk
- Street Punk
- Queercore
- Riot Grrrl
- Skate Punk
- Punk Rock Fusion Genres
Anarcho-punk rose to prominence back in the late 1970s in the United Kingdom. The song “Anarchy in the UK” by the English band Sex Pistols is widely regarded as the first anarchy-punk piece. The subgenre is recognized by its politics-inspired lyrics and themes that promote anarchism, anti-government movements, and mainstream issues like animal righ...
Oi! is a style of punk music that emerged in the 1970s in the United Kingdom as a reaction to the first wave of punk bands. The guitarist Steve Kent described the punk rock artists at that time as “trendy university people using long words, trying to be artistic…and losing touch.” The pioneers of the oi! movement wanted to create punk music for the...
Hardcore punk is all about rejecting commercialism and drifting away from anything that can be classified as mainstream rock. It was first defined in the late 1970s in Vancouver and several US cities that include San Francisco and Washington D.C. The subgenre took the rock industry by storm and was a direct cause behind the establishment of indepen...
Post-hardcore punk maintains the foundations of hardcore punk, with the addition of better expression of creativity. The subgenre appeared in the punk rock scene in the 1980s in the United States, particularly after acts like Minuteman and Hüsker Dü caught significant attention. Post-hardcore punk keeps the same fast tempos, DIY ethics, and loudnes...
Horror punk? Yup, it exists. This subgenre is literally meant to scare you. Horror punk artists combine the distinctive sounds of proto-gothic and punk rock music with scary scenes and violent lyrics. However, it’s not uncommon to find horror punk pieces that discuss politics. The horror punk style of music originated in New Jersey in the late 1970...
Street punk is a working class subgenre of punk that’s highly influenced by oi!. It emerged in the early 1980s in the United Kingdom after oi! gained significant popularity. Street bank incorporates sing-along choruses, communal vocals, single-note guitar lines, and short solos. The lyrics often involve political issues. This style of punk music to...
Queercore generally involves sexuality-related themes about gender identity and expression. The subgenre came into prominence in the 1980s, particularly in Toronto, Canada. So, how did it all start? Well, most music fans agree that the publication of the zine J.D.s was the spark that gave birth to Queercore. Some of the most popular queercore bands...
Riot grrrl is more of an underground subcultural movement rather than a subgenre of punk. It started in the early 1990s in Washington, Olympia, and other regions in the United States. This style of music is influenced by feminism, particularly in opposition to the dominant sexism in the punk music industry. Some notable riot grrrl bands encompass H...
Skate punk is a style of punk music that is, as you might’ve guessed, widespread among the skaters’ community. Many musicians view it as a style of pop hardcore. Some of the earliest works of skate punk popped in the early 1980s in the United States. The subgenre is defined by vocal harmonies, guitar riffs, fast tempos, and drums. Examples of the b...
Punk rock fusion encompasses various genres that resulted from mixing up punk with other styles of music. For instance, Celtic punk borrows the use of instruments like fiddles and bagpipes and adds it to the unadulterated style of punk music. Flogging Molly, The Tossers, and The Real McKenzies are a few names that helped the subgenre mature. One mo...
Mar 17, 2024 · Learn about the history and characteristics of nine prominent subgenres of punk rock, from classic punk to horror punk. Find out how bands like the Ramones, Green Day, and The Misfits shaped the evolution and diversity of punk music.
May 8, 2019 · Learn about the different types of punk music, from anarcho-punk to psychobilly, and their influences and sounds. Discover the essential bands and songs of each subgenre and how they evolved from the original punk movement.
Aug 12, 2024 · A comprehensive list of punk rock subgenres with examples and descriptions. Learn about the origins, characteristics and artists of various punk styles, from 2 Tone to Zeros.
