# Recommend me some good punk music

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 11, 2002, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489 "2002-03-11T04:37:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/41 "2002-03-15T18:55:17Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by vibrotronica \*  
> **Gotta check out The Minutemen’s “Double Nickels on the Dime” and “What Makes a Man Start Fires?”, Husker Du’s “Zen Arcade” and “New Day Rising”, and the Butthole Surfer’s "Rembrant Pussyhorse"**

Well, I’ll second that, although I never really considered the Minutemen or the BS punk. But I suppose you could make the case…

Also, I see one person mentioned them in passing, but I’ve got to say that no punk collection is complete without the truly classic **X** album “Los Angeles”.

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**Author:** ![Orange\_Took](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Orange\_Took](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orange_Took)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/42 "2002-03-15T21:59:45Z")

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**Kid Dynamite** (R.I.P.) is some amazing hardcore. Listen to them. Love them. (I almost cried the day that I heard they broke up.)

**Hot Water Music** is one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen.

If you’re looking for classics, go with the **Clash.**

If you want something more recent, check out **The Devil is Electric** and **Against Me!** D.I.E. is really good poppy punk and Against Me! just plain rocks.

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**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/43 "2002-03-15T22:02:07Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Semp \*  
> \*\*
> 
> Wow, I didn’t know that Couch Flambeau was known outside of Wisconsin. Mmm… The Zoo Is Cool… \*\*

My fave is “My Baby is a Nut”

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**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/44 "2002-03-15T22:43:41Z")

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You guys have listed a bunch of good stuff, so I just wanted to add Good Riddance and Sick Of It All. If you live in the Bay Area (or want to make a pilgrimage), check out 924 Gilman in Berkeley. The Groovy Ghoulies play there a lot.

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**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2002, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/45 "2002-03-15T22:51:29Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by aenea \*  
> \*\*Now, some have dissed their ‘punkness’, but I have a lot of fun with their music.
> 
> You can find a sample of it out on the mp3 traders, look for "greenmind’ and ‘get on it’ - both good songs. \*\*

We are going to have open sexual intercourse on every street corner in America…where thousands and thousands can watch!

I recommend Rhino’s DIY series for starters…histories of American & British Punk (Volumes 1 & 2), Never Mind The Bullocks and Frankenchrist

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**Author:** ![vivablur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b9e5f3/32.png) [@vivablur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivablur)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/46 "2002-03-16T03:10:44Z")

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This thread reminds me that Punk is a strangely conservative musical form considering that it has been around in name for more than 25 years now. Kind of Sha Na Na to me at times. If you are going to stretch the definiton a bit, I would suggest “…and you will know us by the trail of dead” for a great new band and the Nuggets boxset for the '60’s garage bands who invented the form.  
I should add that Elvis Costello’s best punk-ish album is “This Year’s Model.” That is not to say that he isn’t the greatest songwriter alive (he is), but I bet if you listen to, say, “Imperial Bedroom,” or “Mighty Like a Rose” with punk ears pealed you may be disappointed.

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**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/47 "2002-03-16T04:29:27Z")

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While I tend towards pop-punk myself (Offspring, Lit, Green Day, Blink 182 etc) my brother’s obsession with The Artaris and Face to Face seems well placed. My definition of what consitutes a punk band is sort of shaky…I think Rancid and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones sound a lot alike 🙂 but I’ve heard of at least half the bands listed- and I’ve even seen the Dickies, who are great- so maybe I know more punk stuff than I thought. (Does anyone have an idea of what Husker Du might have had as a single in 1995? It’s been a long time since I’ve heard anything about them!) I’m glad no one has mentioned Sum41 or the Living End, though, because even I think they suck.

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**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/48 "2002-03-16T04:39:00Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Ferrous \*  
> \*\*  
> Well, I’ll second that, although I never really considered the Minutemen or the BS punk. But I suppose you could make the case… \*\*

Are you kidding me? These guys all came out of the american hardcore culture. all their shows for years were “punk” shows. See 'em live in the early 1980’s and there is absolutely no question.

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**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/49 "2002-03-16T05:08:25Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by China Guy \*  
> Two LA bands that have been missed earlier in the thread  
> Minutemen  
> Husker du

No, no, no! **Minutemen** yes ( great, great band ), but **Husker Du** were from Minneapolis 🙂 . They were buds of **The Replacements** , another fantastic band and a fair contender ( if not necessarily the winner ) in the ‘greatest rock band that never had major, non-college airplay’ compeitition.

I see nobody has mentioned another favorite of mine, **No Means No** , so I will 🙂 .

- Tamerlane

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**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/50 "2002-03-16T06:34:33Z")

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The Germs  
Pulley  
Agnostic Front  
Minor Threat  
Government Issue

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**Author:** ![BillyGnos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@BillyGnos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BillyGnos)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2002, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/51 "2002-03-16T11:07:19Z")

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Good punk music? There’s a ton of it out there, but if you want the best, go buy **The Decline** by **NOFX**. It’s an EP with one song. The one song is an 18 minute, 21 second long orgasm. Trust me. I’ve heard a lot of punk, and this is by far the greatest punk song ever written.

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**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/52 "2002-03-17T02:43:38Z")

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Just got back from the record store. Picked up some Descendents, Dead Kennedys, Dillinger Four, and Clash. Will be getting through more of the recommendations as time and money permit.

Some recommendations sounded really promising, such as Thee Michelle Gunn Elephant (“bad ass rockabilly” sounds right up my alley, and while we’re on the subject, I’ve heard good things about the [Kings of Nuthin](http://www.kingsofnuthin.com/), a local band that plays something similar, and who are opening for the [Dropkick Murphys](http://www.dropkickmurphys.com) tonight, but I didn’t get around to getting tickets in time, so I’m stuck here rambling parenthetically on a message board) but were out of stock. So, anyone know where to find really obscure albums in the Boston area?

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**Author:** ![pezpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@pezpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezpunk)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/53 "2002-03-17T12:13:24Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by waterj2 \*  
> \*\*Just got back from the record store. Picked up some Descendents, Dead Kennedys, Dillinger Four, and Clash. Will be getting through more of the recommendations as time and money permit.  
> \*\*

That kicks ass! Let us know what you think of your new cd’s. Which cd’s by each band did you get?

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**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/54 "2002-03-17T18:27:56Z")

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Dillinger Four - _Midwestern Songs of the Americas_  
Descendents - _Milo Goes to College_  
The Clash - _Combat Rock_  
Dead Kennedys - _Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death_

My opinions are that the Clash are, of course, a classic, the Descendents are pretty good, Dillinger Four is really good, even if my taste is more East Coast oriented, and the Dead Kennedys really aren’t my thing, too concerned with politics at the expense of the music, which is pretty good when they focus on it.

Plus, other punk albums I already had are:  
Dropkick Murphys - _The Singles Collection '96 - '97_  
Dropkick Murphys - _Sing Loud, Sing Proud_  
Dropkick Murphys and Face to Face split EP  
Pennywise - _Pennywise_  
Operation Ivy - _Energy_ (surprised no one mentioned them here, I really like this album)  
Black Flag - _The First Four Years_  
The Clash - _London Calling_  
NOFX - _Punk in Drublic_  
Talking Heads - _Stop Making Sense_  
Mourningside - _From Two Graves Back_ (local hardcore band, their drummer is one of my coworkers)

Not sure if 311 counts, but I have their first two albums. Same with the Pogues, whose first four albums I have.

I think up next will be Subhumans, Pixies, Stiff Little Fingers, more Clash, Ramones, and perhaps some of the more obscure stuff if I can find it, 'cause I usually have good luck with CDs I buy on a whim.

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**Author:** ![ChristmasEve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@ChristmasEve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChristmasEve)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2002, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/55 "2002-03-17T21:44:08Z")

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If **The Pixies** are next on your list, then try either _Surfer Rosa_ or _Doolittle_, although the former is more punk. I’d second looking out for **The Buzzcocks** or anything by **The Undertones** , especially _Teenage Kicks_.

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**Author:** ![Degrassi\_High\_Dropout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Degrassi\_High\_Dropout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Degrassi_High_Dropout)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2002, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/56 "2002-03-18T02:10:17Z")

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personally I can’t stand much old school with the exception of the dead kennedys. I like my punk music Fast! melodic and technical. Some “moderne classics” from my collection you might want to check out are:

Strung Out - Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues (i can’t believe the mighty strung out hasn’t been mentioned yet, or have they?)

NOFX - Heavy Petting Zoo (I know this was sh!t on by NOFX fans when it came out, but it will grow on you, trust me)

At The Drive In - Relationship of command (post-punk, but one of the best albums I’ve ever heard)

Thrice - The Illusion of Safety (a beautiful blend of metal, punk, emo, and hardcore this album is brilliant)

Lagwagon - Duh (super catchy technical santa barbara punk, buy it, you might thank me later)

Propagandhi - Today’s Empires, Tomarrow’s Ashes or How to Clean Everything

Sublime - S/T or 40 oz. to Freedom

and lastly Bad Religion - Suffer (the new school starts here, this is the album that Fat Mike of NOFX claims “changed everything”)

for me these are all cds that dont require the skip button I hope you take my advice

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**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2002, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/57 "2002-03-18T12:03:36Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Tamerlane \*  
> \*\*
> 
> No, no, no! **Minutemen** yes ( great, great band ), but **Husker Du** were from Minneapolis 🙂 . They were buds of **The Replacements** , another fantastic band and a fair contender ( if not necessarily the winner ) in the ‘greatest rock band that never had major, non-college airplay’ compeitition.
> 
> I see nobody has mentioned another favorite of mine, **No Means No** , so I will 🙂 .
> 
> - Tamerlane \*\*

I knew that. Of course, I was referring to bands on the SST label. Including the Meat Puppets, who were from Phoenix or Tuscon or somewhere in Arizona. Speaking of which, what about all the Arizona bands.

JFA looms large, the Zany Guys. There was a great compilation called something like Madison Square Garden, featuring Arizona bands.

BTW, I would point out there is a difference between “punk” and American hardcore, but I’m not going to go into an explanation suffice to say they are related but very different genres.

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**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/58 "2002-03-18T16:15:12Z")

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I forgot to mention specific Albums.

Seeing your taste thus far I reccomend:

Bad Religon - Stranger than Fiction  
Dangerhouse Compliation 1 - If you can find this, it has an excellent sampling of bands like X, Eyes, Rhino 39  
Descendants - Somery (kind of a “best of” album)  
Dead Kennedy’s - Plastic Surgery Disasters  
Misfits - Collection 1 & 2 - All their great tracks from the Glen Danzig era. Nothing better than schlock horror movies turned into punk songs.  
NOFX - Pump up the valium  
The Vandals - Live Fast Diarrhea or Fear of a Punk Planet  
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Have a Ball or Are a Drag - this band has people from Lagwagon, Swinging Udders and NOFX doing some great cover tunes  
You mentioned you like Rockabilly style so I reccomend The Reverend Horton Heat - Liquor in the Front

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**Author:** ![Degrassi\_High\_Dropout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Degrassi\_High\_Dropout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Degrassi_High_Dropout)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/59 "2002-03-28T05:12:27Z")

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hey Water2J

I was just wondering how old you are and if you checked out any of my picks. its great to see someone exploring new genres of music.

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**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2002, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-good-punk-music/97489/60 "2002-03-29T05:27:44Z")

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I’m 23.

And I haven’t gotten to your suggestions yet. Though I have been meaning to get some Sublime and Bad Religion at some point in the forseeable future.

Since my last post, my debit card came in the mail, so I have been very fiscally irrresponsible. I picked up:  
Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies - _Blow in the Wind_  
The Clash - _The Clash_ (US version) and _Sandanista_  
Pixies - _Surfer Rosa_  
Circle Jerks - _Golden Shower of Hits_  
Stiff Little Fingers - _No Sleep 'til Belfast_  
Subhumans - _From the Cradle to the Grave_

I haven’t even unwrapped all of these yet, so I don’t really have much of an opinion on them, except Me First, which is very addictive.

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