7 Punk Bands You Need on Your IPod ...

1. Sex Pistols

One of the punk bands you should absolutely have on your iPod is the Sex Pistols. This band is credited with starting the punk movement in the UK. Although their career was short lived (lasting from 1975-78), their impact is still seen in punk rock today. Their music created a storm of controversy as they spoke out against the English crown, deference, and social conformity. The Sex Pistols have even been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, although the surviving band members refused to attend the ceremony in true punk rock fashion.

2. Lower Class Brats

Lower Class Brats are a punk band from Austin, TX. They have a different sound than other punk bands that they refer to as “Street Noize.” You can see influences from the book and movie, A Clockwork Orange, in their music and style. The band formed in 1995 and they are still making music today.

3. The Adicts

Another band that has drawn inspiration from A Clockwork Orange, are the Adicts. The influence is most notable in their image. One thing that sets this band apart from other punk bands is that their lyrics are light-hearted. So if you love punk music without all the angst, The Adicts are a must-have on your iPod. The Adicts have been around since 1975 and they are still a popular group among punk circles today.

4. Charged GBH

Charged GBH, commonly referred to as just GBH, is an English street punk band. They helped form the English street punk movement. This classic punk band continues to inspire and influence modern punk bands. While some bands change their sound over the years, GBH has been sticking to their same style since 1978 – which is one of my favorite things about the group. The band is still touring and making music more than 30 years after they first came onto the scene.

5. Schoolyard Heroes

The Schoolyard Heroes are a horror punk band from Seattle, Washington. Being a horror punk band, their lyrics and sound are inspired by – surprise! – horror flicks. Many of their songs are about vampires, zombies, aliens, and corpses. What really makes this band standout, however, is lead singer, Ryan Donnelly, and her operatic vocals. Although the band called it quits in 2009 after being together for 10 years, you can still add their 3 albums to your iPod.

6. Dead Kennedys

The Dead Kennedys are a hardcore punk rock band from San Francisco. In the 1980s, The Kennedys helped form the hardcore punk movement in the United States. While the band is punk, they also experimented with other musical sounds including rockabilly, surf, and psychedelic. The band still tours today, although they replaced the original lead vocalist, Jello Biafra, with Ron “Skip” Greer. Their work is classic and influential which is why you should definitely add their music to your iPod.

7. The Casualties

The Casualties formed in New York City in 1990. They are a hardcore street punk band that wanted to revitalize street punk. Although they formed in 1990, they didn’t release their debut album until 1997, but they have been performing throughout their career. The band is still around making music and performing today. You definitely need some songs by The Casualties on your iPod!

Everyone needs these punk bands on their iPods. Some of these bands helped establish the punk movement, while others created new subgenres. What’s your favorite punk rock band? Share with us in the comments so we can all check out your favorite punk bands too!