Top 10 Most Important and Influential Punk Bands
Here's a list of the most important bands that did something great for the genre.
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although they initially lasted just two and a half years and produced only four singles and one studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, they are considered one of the most influential acts in the history... read more Sex Pistols beat the Clash. No Ramones and Sex Pistols means no Clash. That "the only band that mattered" is a load of pretentious tripe. Ramones and Sex Pistols are better and should be higher than the Clash. The Clash are good, by the way.
The Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first band to define the punk rock sound. Massive speed of Johnny Ramone for his rhythm guitar inspired a lot of punk and metal guitarists.
The Stooges, also known as Iggy and the Stooges, are an American proto-punk band from Ann Arbor, Michigan, first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003. Although they sold few records in their original incarnation, and often performed for indifferent or hostile audiences, the Stooges are... read more Arguably the first punk band. Paved the way for every band on here. The only bands I can see being ahead would be the Sex Pistols for solidifying the punk mindset and Black Flag for starting hardcore.
More important than the Sex Pistols.
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. One of the most important and influential punk bands ever, but it would be a sad world if they were the only punk band that mattered.
Yes, the Clash are most certainly the most important band out there! They weren't called 'The Only Band That Mattered' for nothing!
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. Initially called Panic, the band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band. They are widely considered to be one of... read more
Dead Kennedys are an American hardcore punk band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band was one of the first American hardcore bands to make a significant impact in the United Kingdom.
Misfits are an American Horror Punk band often recognized as the progenitors of the horror punk subgenre, blending punk rock and other musical influences with horror film themes and imagery. I know they're horror punk, but they're still important to the punk community.
L.A.'s first punk band, named as an influence by almost all Southern California punk bands. Bands like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, The Descendents, Adolescents, Wasted Youth, D.I., Symbol Six, and T.S.O.L. have all stated on record that The Weirdos were a major, if not primary, influence for them.
"The Weirdos... the band that infected us all." - Symbol Six
Southern California's first punk band, named by pretty much all Southern California punk bands as an inspiration.
They were an influential precursor to the punk movement, and they innovated glam punk in the early seventies before punk rock was a thing. They influenced bands such as the Sex Pistols, Ramones, Blondie, Kiss, and Guns N' Roses.
Green Day are an American pop punk/punk rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar). Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some of their... read more Green Day. One of the most amazing bands ever. Innovative music at its best. Billie Joe Armstrong is a perfect lead singer.
They've produced albums like Dookie, American Idiot, Nimrod, and Kerplunk. It's impossible not to like them.
MC5 was an American rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan, formed in 1964. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson.
Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1980 in Washington, D.C. by vocalist Ian MacKaye and drummer Jeff Nelson. Ian MacKaye has become one of the most influential faces of the punk genre. Minor Threat should definitely rank higher.
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members have objected to this term to describe their music.
Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band makes extensive use of soaring three-part vocal harmonies, guitar solos and lyrics that often contain religious and political commentary. What makes Bad Religion one of the most important punk bands is not only that they've released so many great albums but that they came from the same scene as bands like Black Flag, Minor Threat, The Dead Kennedys, and The Circle Jerks. Not to mention, they started one of the most influential indie labels of all time (Epitaph Records) and went on to influence and inspire many notable bands (such as The Offspring, NOFX, and Pennywise), as well as today's pop-punk and post-hardcore bands.
No band will make you think more than Bad Religion. They were there at the beginning and, unlike most of these bands, are still going strong.
In my opinion, they had two of the best punk albums of all time - Let's Go! and ...And Out Come the Wolves. Additionally, they are still putting out great music and great shows.
My Chemical Romance is an American rock band from Jersey City, New Jersey, active from 2001 to 2013, and again from 2019 to present day. For much of their career, the band consisted of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, bassist Mikey Way, and drummer Bob Bryar.
Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 by Chuck Schuldiner. Death is considered to be one of the most influential bands in heavy metal and a pioneering force in death metal. Its debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, has been widely regarded as the first death metal record, while the band's... read more Who is Death, you ask? Well, technically, they are the first punk band. They started in 1971, about 4-8 years before the punk bands considered iconic, like The Sex Pistols, NOFX, and The Dead Kennedys, formed. These guys practically defined the genre of punk music. They are and will be the most important punk band ever.
Hell, they even have a documentary on it called "A Band Called Death."
Nice to see they're mentioned for once.
One of the most influential and important anarcho-punk bands. Thanks to their label, so many other bands were able to release great albums.
T.V. Smith is a living punk legend!
Most important punk band from Australia, released debut album '(I'm) Stranded' before 'Never Mind the Bollocks' or 'The Clash' came out.
Sadly, they left their punk roots after two (maybe three) albums.
Suicidal Tendencies is an American crossover thrash band founded in 1980 in Venice, California by vocalist Mike Muir, who is the only remaining original member of the band. The band is often credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash". They are one of the most important punk bands because they invented and popularized the crossover thrash genre during the '80s, along with D.R.I. and other emerging bands from that era.
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart.
Fugazi is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Washington, D.C. in 1987. The band consists of guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty. Basically invented post-hardcore.