Best Punk Rock Bands

Uh, I don't really understand how anyone who is a true fan of punk rock could place a lot of these bands on any type of list that has anything to do with punk rock. Ask Billy Joe who he thinks is the best punk rock band ever. He might put his band in the top 25, definitely not number 1 though. Come on, people, do some research. Papa Roach, All-American Rejects, Simple Plan, etc., are not punk rock bands by any standard. Punk rock bands should not be judged or rated according to record sales either. That defeats the purpose of what punk rock stands for. I suggest some type of screening process before people can vote, because without education there is ignorance. Thank you, Bad Religion, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys, Op Ivy, Rancid, Guttermouth, Strung Out, The Misfits, etc. Most are on this list, just not where they deserve to be. Live long, punk rock. Pop rock should not be on this list.

Now it seems that "punk rock" is just a word for the commercial garbage that industries shove down kids' throats to make them feel rebellious. So many people think that they are "punk" for having a Mohawk or acting like a jerk to everyone. That is the exact opposite of what punk is about. Bands like Blink-182, Green Day, and Simple Plan whine about a girl who broke up with them while people are being persecuted and are starving around the world. They dare to call themselves punk. Punk rock went underground after grunge died out and has nothing to do with pop punk. To me, even a band like Pink Floyd is way more punk than any pop punk band. Grow up.

The Ramones are an excellent band. They often get criticized for not being as aggressive as other punk bands, or for not being as politically involved. Some say all their songs sound the same, or mock their bad haircuts and clichéd, beat-up leather jackets. However, the Ramones brought punk into a new light. They were excellent performers who could really rock an audience. They blended beautiful melodies with driving, heavy guitar and bass. I love every song by them. In my view, the Ramones are one of, if not the best, punk bands ever. They're more than just a T-shirt.

Green Day and Blink 182 are nothing compared to the Ramones. As the godfathers of punk music, along with bands such as the Sex Pistols and The Clash, the Ramones have a unique style and sound. They also possess the most interesting lead voice. In my opinion, no punk band can ever match the Ramones. For me, punk equals Ramones. Bands like Blink 182, Sum 41, and Green Day are simply lame copies of the simple masterpieces that the Ramones created a long time ago.

Their music is so meaningful. It delves into topics like government, politics, and religion. Billie Joe Armstrong has a great voice that has remained consistent over the years. When it comes to bassists, I believe Mike Dirnt is the best bass player in the history of punk rock. Tre Cool is also the best drummer in the history of punk rock, as confirmed by Billie Joe Armstrong during their Bullet in a Bible concert.

Green Day is unquestionably the best punk rock band out there. Billie Joe Armstrong has influenced many people in how they write music. He has inspired others to take up the guitar, and even has a signature model with Gibson Guitars.

Mike Dirnt is renowned for his bass guitar riffs, licks, and techniques. It's no surprise that he has been nominated for the title of the world's best bassist of all time. He even has a signature bass made by Fender.

As for Tre Cool, where do you even begin? He's incredibly funny and highly skilled on the drums. Who would have thought that a German kid, raised in a hippie environment, would grow up to play American punk rock drums?

Stop hating on Green Day. Saying "Green Day's not punk" is probably the least punk thing you can say. "Punk" is about doing whatever you want, whenever you want, without caring what anyone else thinks. That's precisely what Green Day does. It's not just about the music. It's also about the image and attitude. Punk began as a movement fueled by kids angry at those in power, and Green Day has plenty of angry political songs to its name.

I'll admit, they have moved more towards pop in their later years, but every song on Dookie is pure punk gold. I won't even get into the fact that they are better musicians with a more profound understanding of music than most classic punks. Punk has evolved into what Green Day is today. So accept it, and stop trying to tear them down simply because you can't.

Their music is amazing! It's all about politics, governments, and life. It's truly meaningful. They send strong messages to people, and for many, they have saved lives. Billie Joe Armstrong is the most inspirational person I know and is an amazing artist. Alongside Billie Joe, Mike Dirnt is also very inspirational and is the best bass player ever.

The best drummer in the history of punk rock is also in this band. His name is Tre Cool. He is funny, talented, and all-around awesome. Jason White is an amazing guitarist. Even though he might not always be included in things, he is still a part of Green Day and helps inspire people with his amazing guitar skills.

In my opinion, Green Day is the most talented Punk Rock band to ever exist, and no one can ever change that.

Okay, here is the point. We have to go back in time and consider the context. The Sex Pistols had one official album and three official years of existence, probably the shortest career of a punk band. But what they did was pure honesty. And if you put it in the period and political state of England, they were the first band that ever did it with such a "straight-in-your-face" approach as the Pistols did. After 30 years, they are known all over the world. Keep in mind, they never went mainstream or radio-friendly like all those new poser bands did: Offspring, Green Day, Good Charlotte. They all sold out and use punk only for its attractive side. They are nothing more than rich kids making money with major record labels. Pistols rule. It's as simple as that.

The Sex Pistols were not the most technically proficient musicians. There's no arguing that. And they only had one album. But they had everything else that mattered. They had the look, the attitude, and the bad hygiene, as well as smoking, drugs, and alcohol. Out of all the punk bands I can think of, the Sex Pistols were the most iconic. When you think of punk, you think of Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten. "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" is one of the most important albums in rock history, and "God Save the Queen" and "Anarchy in the U.K." are essential songs. They brought punk to the press, and they are everything your parents didn't want you to become. That's why they were perfect.

To tell the candid truth, you won't find a more visceral and edgy punk band than the Sex Pistols. You can't beat snarling vocals, intelligent and candid lyrics by Johnny Rotten, an abrasive guitar and bass line from Steve Jones, or the swift drumming of Paul Cook. I find it great for the Sex Pistols, but laughably silly that so many punk bands had way longer careers and more albums and still can't manage to top the Pistols. The Sex Pistols are the epitome of punk and deserve the number one spot! They are the best punk rock band, period, and hands down my favorite, along with the Ramones. Sex Pistols for the win.

Although Green Day is my favorite band, I have to vote for these guys because Green Day is not really punk. They experimented with different sounds after Nimrod. The Sex Pistols have a very raw sound with vocals that will make parents' ears bleed. This is good. They also were incredibly bold and would do anything to piss the world off, from wearing swastikas to spitting on fans. They refused to compromise themselves in any way, shape, or form. They sang about abortion, hate, racism, and many other topics.

Their music is so iconic and still feels so fresh and clear! I respect the Sex Pistols for their role in the creation of the punk industry, but many people forget the impact of The Clash. To be honest, the Sex Pistols sounded a bit off-tune in some of their songs. For Vicious's sake, they only had one album! The Ramones are good, but their songs are a little bit too repetitive. Green Day is good, but they are not the best band on this list. In my opinion, The Clash should at least be at the top. Green Day should be in 4th or 3rd place, Ramones 2nd, and Sex Pistols 4th or 3rd. The battle for 3rd should be between impact on the industry and quality.

To me, The Clash isn't just the best punk band ever. They are the most ambitious, most versatile, and overall best band of all time. Take, for instance, their third album London Calling. In my opinion, you can take almost any song on that album, put it on 75-80% of albums ever made, and it would be the best song on the album. Their fourth album, Sandinista!, despite not being my favorite album ever, earns my respect for covering many different styles, including rap, which wasn't popular yet. Their first two albums are awesome too. Their last two albums weren't too great, but they had some good songs on them.

In my opinion, The Clash were the best and most talented punk rock band of all time. Their songs and lyrics were brilliant, but the best thing about them is that they bravely went beyond punk. Their most brilliant and most underrated album was the triple album Sandinista! which came on the heels of London Calling. I bought this album when I was in the 7th grade and was at first disappointed that it wasn't traditional three-chord punk. But after listening to it several times, I started to appreciate it for what it was. I learned recently that it was recorded at Electric Lady Land Studios in NYC, where Hendrix did his magic. His creative ghost must have soaked into them because every song was a creative undertaking. Even though the album did have some low points, most of the songs were brilliant and taught me about the world. Listen to Something About England and tell me that I am wrong.

Is Green Day a punk band? Is this some kind of joke? The Stooges are absolutely awesome, but they're in a different league - forerunners to the mid-70s "original" punk bands. Meaning, the term "punk band" should be considered within its own timeframe. If you listened to the Ramones for the first time in 1976, it was a real shock and revolutionary. I had never heard something like that before. Raw, energetic, heavy. First-time listeners today might not come to that conclusion. My point is, playing similar chords and sounds 30 years later does not make it the same, not to mention the impact. Sorry, I was there in 1976/77. These bands changed my life. My favorites are The Clash, especially their first album and "Complete Control." Still, the Ramones are my heroes too. Listen to the "It's Alive" double live album, recorded on New Year's Eve 1977 in London. You can feel how it was.

Undoubtedly, the most intelligent and meaningful punk rock band out there is Bad Religion. Their lyrics put all others to shame, never dumbing them down despite knowing that intelligent music is not popular. This is evident from the popularity of bands such as Sum 41, The Offspring, and Green Day. They are also some of the most influential, inspiring artists like Green Day, the Offspring, and Rise Against. The Offspring and Rise Against deserve a top 10 slot. I'm only 19, but I've been listening to punk my entire life. If any band deserves the title of Best Punk Rock Band, it would be Bad Religion.

If I were picking the top ten punk bands, it would be:

1. The Ramones
2. The Offspring
3. Bad Religion
4. Dead Kennedys
5. The Descendents
The Ramones are first because they created the genre. The Offspring was one of the bands that kept punk alive. Bad Religion inspired many of the bands on this list. Dead Kennedys are the best hardcore punk band. The Descendents are one of the punk bands that inspired a lot of different bands.
6. Bad Brains
7. NOFX
8. Pennywise
9. Social Distortion
10. Green Day
There are still a lot of great punk bands that are not getting the recognition they deserve.

Listen. I love Green Day, Offspring, and Blink, but they owe their musical existence to Bad Religion. Bad Religion has been playing longer than Rise Against or Sum 41 have even been alive. I can understand why the Ramones (and to a lesser extent, the Clash) might be rated higher, although they didn't have anything close to the body of work. I suspect that anyone who put the Pistols in the top list never listened to their albums. Oh, sorry, I meant album. They were an invented phenomenon (by Malcolm McLaren) more than musicians.

So basically, Bad Religion helped me enter the world of punk rock. I obviously knew about the Ramones, The Offspring, My Chemical Romance, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Sum 41, Black Flag, and Green Day. But now, when I really think about punk rock, Bad Religion is what comes to mind. Maybe my interpretation of punk is wrong, but I feel that Bad Religion more or less encompasses all the characteristics of punk into a beautiful image of meaning and powerful lyrics.

Punk is really dead because I see all those girly love song bands at the top of the list, and Dead Kennedys are at Number 13? Jello Biafra is one of the best inspirational figures of punk rock. I could call him the best person in the entire world. He's 54 now but has not yet abandoned his ideals.

Look at all those "hardcore punk" band members from the '80s. They are probably sitting behind a table doing a lame-ass job. Jello is trying to get his message out to the world as a spoken word artist. He aims to help people free themselves from the chains society has placed around them. He's promoting free speech and free thought.

If you've never listened to Dead Kennedys before, you should. But don't listen to the Dead Kennedys of 2012. For Jello, songs were never about money. He left the band not because he fought with his band members, but because people coming to their concerts were dumb metalheads with no brains, and he couldn't get his message out.

The "New Dead ...more

Of course, they're the best, and despite what happened, Biafra is the philosopher behind punk. He witnessed the Sex Pistols personally, evaluated what was great and not great about them, and built a band that surpasses every other band on this thread. There's no need to apologize for the Dead Kennedys of today because this was Biafra's creation. He is the most theatrical, intelligent, idealistic, and politically passionate punk protagonist to have ever graced the planet. He's an inspiring human being, which can't be said for too many others here. He wouldn't care if he was ranked #7 or #100. He is the gold standard of punk, straight up.

I could not agree more. No one on the planet, apart from Maynard James Keenan and a handful of deceased others, can compare with Biafra. Dead Kennedys mopped the floor with anything that lacked ideals, morality, intelligence, and integrity, and Biafra is the mastermind behind it all. Whatever happened afterwards had nothing to do with him, but it has allowed me access to a lot more DK material than I would have otherwise been permitted. This guy personifies integrity and may just become a religious figure in 1,000 years. How ironic. I'll worship him until I die. He is punk personified.

These fellows are pretty much one of the largest and most well-known among quality punk bands. Nowadays, the majority of punk is pretty much total garbage. I mean, Green Day? Really, why are they on top? They're pop punk, not hardcore or classic punk. Bands like the DKs and Crass, along with others, represent quality punk, instead of poser pop punk. The false stuff should be on a different list, like Best Pop Punk Bands or something like that.

Rise Against has been my favorite band since I was eight years old. I have a deep passion for punk, and Green Day simply isn't punk anymore. While many love the overwhelming political statements that Green Day projects in its songs, I don't want to be listening to something that is going to make me mad. Green Day is almost like Anti-Flag, with ridiculous anarchist messages in their songs.

I do understand The Ramones being ranked higher than Rise Against because The Ramones were really the first good punk band. I also get why Blink-182 is ahead, as they were the first in pop-punk. However, the idea of Sum-41 even being in the top ten is absurd. Bad Religion not being in the top ten is also absurd. Class dismissed.

One of the only punk bands even listed, Green Day is nothing now. Blink was never punk, just poppy teen "punk." As for My Chemical Romance, I don't even know why it's included. This list was made by someone with no knowledge of punk rock. Hell, Bad Religion isn't even in the top 10, and they set the standard for punk post-1980!

In all honesty, Bad Religion should have the #1 spot. Blink and My Chemical Romance have no place on the list at all. I selected Rise Against because they are more likely to receive attention, so maybe some people with knowledge of true punk can set the list straight. No true punk rocker would list three-fourths of these bands. The Descendents, Black Flag, RATM, Social Distortion, The Misfits, and countless others are disgustingly low. This list has no grounding whatsoever. It doesn't distinguish between manufactured punk and the real deal.

Rise Against's early work is a powerful mixture of hardcore and punk. They've drifted toward melodic ...more

In my opinion, Rise Against should be number one. Their lyrics are some of the best of all time, and they have an astonishing number of rock-defining hits. I don't think any other band in history has as many pure, melodic, and lyrically genius songs as Rise Against does.

If you really think about it, Rise Against has released 7 albums, roughly 130 songs, and about 50 of those songs are absolute genius in every way! The rest are still pretty good. That ratio is phenomenal. In my opinion, Rise Against should go down in history as the greatest punk/rock band of all time.

Best punk band in history. No one will ever beat them. All of their lyrics are meaningful and not just random nonsense that rhymes, like NOFX or Green Day. No offense to those bands, though, as I love them both. It's just a fact that Rise Against doesn't have a bad song!

Sure, their sound has changed a little, but it is still punk rock! They don't just try to release as many songs as possible, unlike some of the bands on this list. They make sure their songs are quality before releasing them. They aren't only the best punk band ever. They are also the best band ever!

How in the world are Blink-182, Sum 41, The Offspring, and Green Day on this list? Don't get me wrong. I love those bands, especially Offspring, but dude, they aren't real punk. They barely sound like real punk bands. I've heard them called pop-punk, and I think that's the best term for them. Whatever they are, they shouldn't be here. Misfits are punk. Black Flag is punk. The Sex Pistols are punk. I used to think that the pop-punk bands were true punk, but now I know.

My favorite band of all time.

By the way, since when are a bunch of emos, sellouts, and pop-rock bands considered punk? Back in the '90s, those bands wouldn't even have been considered punk by the biggest musical noob in the world. I really don't like that nowadays there are almost no real punks anymore. Nowadays, it's just a bunch of posers. It's a shame.

Well, I should have expected that there would mostly be non-punk bands here. Punk is represented by bands like the Ramones, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Sex Pistols, the Misfits, Bad Brains, and more. Blink 182 and Green Day are pop-punk. Rise Against is kind of punk-influenced hardcore. My Chemical Romance is post-hardcore alternative rock. Why can't we have a single top 10 on this site where only bands that fit the genre are in the top 20?

While some of the other bands on here are good, they aren't punk. My Chemical Romance isn't punk at all, but they, especially Frank, got their inspiration from rock and punk music. That doesn't make them punk. At least 5SOS isn't on the list. And I haven't seen Black Flag here? Excuse me? Anyway, both Danzig and Graves-era Misfits are great. Why have they only received four percent of the votes?

I'm mentioning these guys only because of their self-titled album: The Offspring, and Ignition, Smash, and Ixnay. After that, I don't think The Offspring qualify as punk rock from Americana onwards. I don't think this band should be number one, but definitely top three. I've listened to so much punk rock, and "The Offspring" and Ignition are extremely good albums.

In fact, despite The Offspring not actually being my favorite punk band, their self-titled album is by far my favorite. I've been told that Dexter's voice isn't for everyone, but they did produce some amazing horror punk and hardcore punk. I do find it a shame how they turned out. Now they get categorized with Green Day, Blink-182, and Sum-41, which is sad really.

Best Punk Rock band from the '90s, in my opinion. They even won the Best Punk Award from the OC Awards in 2013. Apparently, the band is considering releasing their next album independently, which means they can do whatever they want now that they've left Columbia Records.

There's still hope for a return to their roots, since they have been playing 20th Anniversary Ignition shows for the past two years. I have a funny feeling, which a lot of people might not agree with, but I think they are going back to Epitaph to make another SMASH Vol. 2, like a movie sequel. But that's maybe just me daydreaming. Given how unpredictable the band can be at times, and with Pete having a lot of similarities to Ron Welty, who knows?

The Offspring definitely needs to be higher on the list. I've been a fan since 1993. This is one of the only bands that have consistently put out great music year after year! I disagree with the comment that all their songs sound the same. That's obviously coming from someone who hasn't listened to all their albums. They must have confused them with Green Day. It's great to see The Offspring getting back to their punk roots on their new album, Days Go By! That album rocks! Dexter's voice has range and power well-suited for punk rock music.

The Band truly doesn't get the credit they rightfully deserve. Even the haters who like other bands in the top 10 can't deny the fact that The Offspring played a major role in the popularity of punk rock music all over the world. They might sound more mainstream with their newer albums, but they still have a lot of hits. Easily a top 3 band, all votes aside. The current line-up with Dexter, Greg K, Noodles, and Pete Parada, and adding Todd Morse, is the best line-up for live shows, in my opinion.

Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance? Seriously? I've been listening to punk rock since I was about 9, and they are not punk. Maybe alternative rock. Social Distortion, The Ramones, and The Clash are my all-time favorites. They should be the top bands. Punk pretty much died after 2003.

The best punk rock band in history, with rockabilly influence, is Social Distortion. Story of My Life is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my whole life. It makes me think about the good times from the past. They are just so great.

I do love The Misfits, The Ramones, The Clash, and The Sex Pistols, but Social Distortion is my ultimate favorite punk rock band. To me, Mike Ness is the Johnny Cash of punk rock. "Ball and Chain" is one of my all-time favorite songs.

By far, they are the best punk rock band ever. I just can't get enough of these guys. When that guitar kicks in, I can't help but rock out, no matter where I am.

Thank God, a real punk rock band! Listen to their song "The Separation of Church and Skate." Look up the lyrics, read them, and you'll know why I don't like bands like Simple Plan anymore. They're another lame, soft, and whiny sub-genre of punk rock. People mistake this as being punk rock. Listen to the song, and you'll hear the difference. The lyrics mean something, as opposed to that song "I'm Just a Kid" by Simple Plan, which is just a guy (who has definitely outgrown his teens) whining about what a hard life he has with his parents and school. Seriously, who cares? I sure don't.

Half of these bands aren't real punk. Most are variations of pop. Bands like Bad Religion, NOFX, Social Distortion, Rancid, early Offspring (songs before their 2003 album), The Ramones, Sex Pistols, Nirvana, The Clash, Misfits, Bad Brains, and Papa Roach are examples of real punk. Rise Against can be considered punk. Sum 41 and My Chemical Romance depend on the song. Otherwise, it's pop-punk or post-hardcore. Blink-182 and Simple Plan are pop-punk. Green Day started off somewhat punk, then went pop-punk, and are now alternative. Bands like All Time Low, All American Rejects, and Good Charlotte are pop and alternative.

Honestly, this is one of the first educated lists I've seen on this site. I was half-expecting a ton of bad Fueled by Ramen bands, but I was thankfully surprised. Yes, there are plenty of less-heard-of punk bands that are superior to the rankings on this list (Dead Milkmen, Bad Brains, and Snuff all come to mind), but aside from that, this list isn't that bad.

NOFX should still be placed higher.

NOFX is the best band on the planet. Punk rock may not be popular, so I can't say they are underrated. However, I can say I'm their #1 fan. Songs such as Vincent, San Francisco Fat, Total Bummer, Lower, Freedom Like a Shopping Cart, Drop the World, and The Longest Line often get overlooked, even by so-called NOFX fans.

Greatest punk band of all time, for sure. Okay, they didn't write songs about rebelling against the powers that be as often as other, more high-profile punk bands (e.g., The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, etc.), but no other band wrote about the smaller pains and problems of life like they did. Note the use of the word "did": unfortunately, like The Stones, Descendents are still active, even though they passed both their studio and live prime about thirty years ago, but what a glorious prime it was. Albums like "Milo Goes to College" and "All" have stood the test of time.

Can't believe whoever put them on this list couldn't even spell the name right - DESCENDENTS, no "The." Punk rockers in my day were smart. Half the bands on here are pop. Green Day themselves admit that they are not punk, yet they are number one here. Sickening. Anyway, not number one, but they definitely deserve top 10 for creating a style of punk rock that would later become emo. Great live band.

While these guys never had a top 40 hit, they've left an indelible mark on pop culture, especially in the 1990s and 2000s. They've been around since 1980, and yet they still come out and put on a killer show every single time they play. Their music timelessly captures the angst we all feel but can never express. Bill, especially, deserves our salute.

Bill Stevenson is the best drummer, Stephen Egerton the best guitarist, and Karl Alvarez the best bassist. Milo's rad, and ALL was great with Scott Reynolds. Look, I like NOFX, but they lack enough intelligence to buy new stuff. Bad Religion's stuff sounds the same, but when Descendents put out a new album, I buy it, simply because they are perfect for all stages of life.

These guys not only defined punk/hardcore long before GD, etc., they were/are incredibly talented musicians! I saw Fugazi in a small venue, and they blew the top off the place. Crazy!

I do really like these. Why are bands like My Chemical Romance and Paramore on the list? Just because they talk about politics or whatever doesn't make them punk. They aren't part of the genre. They are just alternative/popular rock.

Pioneers of the Straight Edge movement, this band was raw and unadulterated while delivering a positive, get-your-stuff-together message. I had the opportunity to see them later on as Fugazi, and it was the craziest mosh pit I've ever seen.

Best ever. I See Red. Nothing more in this world to defend. This song says it all about life and punk ideology!

A bunch of posers must be voting on this. How are those preppy little pop-punk bands ahead of Bad Brains and Black Flag, who are both great bands? Good Charlotte is not punk rock! It's corporate pop, and so are Simple Plan, Blink-182, Sum 41, Boys Like Girls, Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday, and the majority of these bands ahead of Bad Brains. I don't think they're the best, but they're top 25 hands down. All those bands I mentioned are just a bunch of 20-year-old millionaires whining about their make-believe problems and that girl who didn't go to the prom with them because she thought they were dorks. Get over it, you losers. How is Good Charlotte even on here? Britney Spears is more punk than them.

This band is insanely good. I remember when I bought their first record. It left me breathless. The songs were hard and fast. This band is better than other, more famous hardcore punk bands like Black Flag.

Incredibly unique hardcore punk band, mixing reggae songs between their extremely technical fast-paced songs. I would not hesitate to claim their first album as the greatest punk album of all time.

Bad Brains not even in the Top 10?! Check yourself, fools. Bad Brains is the real deal. They would eat most of the other top 16 for breakfast.

The Stooges should be number one. They were punk without even trying and couldn't care less! They never bothered to sell out, and their music just has that great sound. And besides, what other punk band had a frontman that could compare to Iggy Pop? Then you get such a calm-looking but fierce-sounding guitarist, Ron Asheton. Then there's Dave Alexander, a great bassist who played for a short time, but if you listen to his bass lines in Fun House and T.V. Eye, few can beat those drums as loud as Scott Asheton (Rock Action). Their three original albums were a source of inspiration for The Ramones and The Clash. Their music sounded like no other during their great time (1967-1974).

I think it's obvious why the Stooges are this low on the list. Almost all the voters are people who have only listened to pop music that's been thrust in front of them. The Stooges were the heaviest and still are. No contest.

"The Ramones are the all-time greatest punk band... They were punk before punk..."

Not only did The Stooges form seven years before The Ramones, but they are also a far superior band. None of The Ramones' songs even come close to "I Wanna Be Your Dog," "Search and Destroy," or "Raw Power." And seriously, Green Day and Rise Against on a "best punk" bands list?

It's true, punk is still alive! They were and are without any commercial and business stuff. Their music is more interesting than the Pistols'. And what about some of Iggy's own stuff? It sounds pretty good too!

They are the most creative punk band out there. They definitely should be up there in the top tens. So many punk bands just sound cookie-cutter, but these guys have so much character to their music. THIS is what punk music should sound like.

Dropkick Murphys is definitely my favorite punk rock band. Go Irish boys! (Ok, my roots are Irish, so it helps.) People, if you put Green Day in first place and Dropkick Murphys only at 21st, there is a real problem!

Behind Blink-182 are the Murphys, my absolutely favorite band, because they make the best Irish-folk sound in the world. They should be in the top ten! P.S. The best songs are, in my opinion, "Shipping up to Boston," "Which Side Are You On," and "Rose Tattoo."

I am Irish, born in Ireland. I love their punk versions of Irish traditional music. It's the best music to get drunk to.

Best punk band. Many great songs - punk, hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, and pop-punk. The songs are really melodic. I really like it. They have fast songs (hardcore punk) and slow ones (from pop-punk to alternative rock), as well as some acoustic songs too. Justin Sane and Chris Head are great guitarists, and Justin Sane and Chris #2 provide impressive, wonderful vocals.

It was hard to choose, but come on, Anti-Flag is REAL punk. Most people don't know what punk is. They're so retarded. Simple Plan? Panic! At the Disco? Paramore? That's so NOT punk. I mean, I love My Chemical Romance and maybe some of their songs are kinda punk, but none of them are really political, and it's NOT real punk though.

Anti-Flag is one of the only bands to go out and say how dumb it is to be a proud citizen of any country. Especially one that elected a president like Bush and now Trump.

I'm an old-school punk, but I take my hat off to Anti-Flag. I've always believed in anarchy, and I'm glad that there's a new generation to keep the dream alive.

Okay, okay, okay, I know it's a little high, but bear with me. A ton of bands could be right here. But after careful deliberation, I decided that, hey, I don't want to leave Pennywise off the top ten because, quite frankly, they rule!

Personally, no top 10 punk bands list is complete without Pennywise. They are a band who know how to interact with society and clearly explain their views.

Love this band. Their sound is good and loud, and the music kicks ass. My favorite song by them is As Long As We Can from their album Reason to Believe.

We'll miss you, Jim, but this band still has got it. Can't wait for their next release.

They are among the best ever for Punk and Ska. This band was the motivation and inspiration for Green Day. Green Day saw OI numerous times and hung out with them when they rehearsed. OI should be before Green Day on this list! If you like the old-school sound of garage-style West Coast Punk Rock and haven't done so yet, check out Operation Ivy. They are a great band to hear, and I very much wish they'd go on tour again!

It was really hard to leave these guys off the list. Even to this day, whenever I listen to "Artificial Lie," "Room Without a Window," or "Missionary," it just puts a smile on my face.

They are arguably the inventors of ska punk. Even with only one album, they are one of the most impactful punk bands of all time. They are one of the biggest influences on Green Day.

Operation Ivy is amazing! Anyone who likes hardcore punk ska should listen to them. In my opinion, Operation Ivy, Rancid, NOFX, and Bad Religion are the best bands on this list.

This list makes me sick! It was obviously concocted by teenagers with no real sense of what authentic punk music is. When I see here that Circle Jerks is #40 on the list, under "boy bands with guitars," i.e., Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte, Sum 41, etc., it makes me cringe. Circle Jerks meet all the criteria for a true punk band: political and social defiance, fast grinding guitar, speedy beats. And as the first lead singer of the notorious band Black Flag, Keith Morris delivers vocals that are not as polished as some of the corporate-controlled "punk puppets" of today.

So, here's my top 10 list, whether anyone likes it or not:

1. Dead Kennedys
2. Sex Pistols
3. Black Flag
4. Circle Jerks
5. X
6. Minor Threat
7. Ramones
8. New York Dolls (I'll bet you teenagers have NEVER heard of them. Do your research!)
9. Pennywise
10. Social Distortion.

The Damned at No. 60 is an absolute crap rating. I'm looking for Buzzcocks, Stranglers, and SLF, among plenty of others. Lame poll. Green Day at number 1? LMFAO! Is this an American poll by any chance? If anyone suggests that none of these bands were punk, then they were not around at gigs in the 70s and 80s.

I've never been a big fan of The Damned (being a punk myself), but their recent live shows convinced me otherwise. The Captain & Co. still totally have it.

The only American punk band in the top 10 should be the Ramones. All the other 9 should be British: Clash, Damned, Jam, etc. I am surprised this American poll didn't include Britney Spears.

The Damned released the first British punk rock single. How are they not in 1st place? Not to mention, Dave Vanian basically founded the goth genre and subculture.

Based only on their first album, a masterpiece from beginning to end, this is the best for me. I appreciate the pioneering work of the Sex Pistols and Ramones, but ST's first album takes the cake.

I'm pretty sure they're crossover thrash, not exactly 100% a punk band, but still pretty good.

The best band ever. I got my guitar signed by them.

Mike Muir just wanted a Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to him. Just one Pepsi.

The Germs had a three-year career and one album. That album ended up being one of the greatest punk albums ever released and was a major influence on the underground music community, influencing countless punk and hardcore bands.

Darby Crash was incredible. I love the band and Pat is awesome.

The fact that The Germs aren't even in the top 20 is quite sad.

The Germs should be way higher up! At least top 50!