Top 10 Most Important and Influential Punk Bands

Here is a list of the most important and influential punk bands that made significant contributions to the genre.

1. Sex Pistols

   

   The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although they lasted only two and a half years and released just 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 of popular... 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.

2. The Ramones

   

   The Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens, New York City, in 1974. They are widely regarded as the first band to define the punk rock sound. The original lineup included Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, and Tommy Ramone.

   Massive speed of Johnny Ramone for his rhythm guitar inspired a lot of punk and metal guitarists.

3. The Clash

   

   The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Known for their politically charged lyrics and eclectic musical style, they are considered one of the most influential bands in the history of punk rock.

   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!

4. Dead Kennedys

   

   Dead Kennedys are an American hardcore punk band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1978. They were among the first American hardcore bands to gain a significant following in the United Kingdom. The band's politically charged lyrics and satirical style made them a prominent voice in the punk movement... read more

5. Black Flag

   

   Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was originally called Panic and was founded by guitarist Greg Ginn, who served as the primary songwriter and only consistent member during its various lineup changes. Black Flag is widely regarded as one... read more

6. The Stooges

   

   The Stooges, also known as Iggy and the Stooges, are an American proto-punk band from Ann Arbor, Michigan. They were active from 1967 to 1974 and reformed in 2003. Although they initially sold few records and often faced indifferent audiences, the Stooges are now recognized as a foundational influence... 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.

7. Green Day

   

   Green Day are an American pop punk and punk rock band formed in East Bay, California, in 1987. The core members are Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), and Tré Cool (drums), with Jason White often performing live on guitar. They blend punk rock, pop punk, and alternative rock, drawing... 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.

8. Minor Threat

   

   Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band formed in 1980 in Washington, D.C. by vocalist Ian MacKaye and drummer Jeff Nelson. The band is credited with helping to define the straight edge movement within punk subculture. They disbanded in 1983 but remain influential in the punk and hardcore scenes... read more

   Ian MacKaye has become one of the most influential faces of the punk genre. Minor Threat should definitely rank higher.

9. New York Dolls

   

   The New York Dolls were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. They are considered pioneers of both punk rock and glam rock, with notable albums such as New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974). Although the original lineup disbanded in 1976, the band reunited in the 2000s with... read more

   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.

10. Bad Brains

    

    Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band that was formed in Washington, D.C. in 1977. They are widely regarded as pioneers of the hardcore punk movement. However, the band's members have often rejected this label as too limiting for their diverse musical style.

The Newcomers
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    Radio Birdman

The Contenders

13. Misfits

    

    Misfits are an American horror punk band often credited with creating the horror punk subgenre. They combine punk rock with themes and imagery from horror films and B-movies. Formed in 1977 in New Jersey, the band was founded by Glenn Danzig.

    I know they're horror punk, but they're still important to the punk community.

14. MC5

    

    MC5 was an American rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan, formed in 1964. The original members included vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson. The band was influential in the development of punk and hard rock music.

15. Bad Religion

    

    Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1979. The band is known for its soaring three-part vocal harmonies, intricate guitar work, and thought-provoking lyrics. Their music often includes commentary on religion, politics, and social issues.

    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.

16. The Weirdos

    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.

17. Rancid

    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.

18. Germs

19. Middle Class

20. Death

    

    Death was an American death metal band formed in 1983 by Chuck Schuldiner. The band is widely considered one of the most influential in heavy metal and a pioneer of the death metal genre. Their debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, is regarded as the first true death metal record. Death released seven studio... 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.

21. The Saints

    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.

22. Husker Du

    

    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. They were influential in the development of alternative rock and were active until 1988.

23. Fugazi

    

    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. Known for their DIY ethic and refusal to engage with mainstream music industry practices, Fugazi... read more

    Basically invented post-hardcore.

24. The Sonics

    

    The Sonics are an American garage rock band from Tacoma, Washington, that formed in 1960. Their aggressive, hard-edged sound has been a major influence on many music genres, including punk and grunge. The band is especially known for songs like Strychnine and The Witch.

    Influential US garage rock band from the '60s, now described as pre-punk, recently re-formed and even released a new album this year after almost 40 years since their last. They are best known for the classic songs Psycho and Strychnine.

25. Patti Smith Group

    

    The Patti Smith Group was a rock band formed by Patti Smith in 1974. It initially featured guitarist and rock archivist Lenny Kaye and later included Ivan Kral on guitar and bass, Jay Dee Daugherty on drums, and Richard Sohl on piano. The group became known for its fusion of punk rock and poetry, and... read more

26. Circle Jerks

27. Minutemen