Where To Start With...Hardcore Punk
Hardcore punk is a fast, aggressive and uncompromising derivation of Punk rock music that has its genesis in various scenes across the United States. Hardcore punk is often played at maximum velocity with maximum anger and was designed to cut through the bullshit of mainstream music. Later to the intro later to the outro, cut the bridge in half, say what you’ve got to say and leave the audience reeling. Hardcore is characterized as simple, primal 3 chord rock that utilizes D-beat drumming and a yelped, desperate vocal style. The orginal scenes lasted a mere 5 years or so but the impact the genre had on music was tremendous. The pace and energy of Hardcore influenced Thrash Metal, and its spirit lives on through many modern Hardcore or Post Hardcore bands. Its influence can be heard in everything from Metallica to Skate Punk and even the Emo/Screamo scenes prevalent in this day and age. Don’t let that last one put you off, Hardcore is as real as it gets!
The Godfathers: Black Flag
Some hardcore historians have christened Black Flag the undisputed Godfathers of hardcore music and looking at their track record and history it would be hard to argue with such a statement. Plus, charismatic frontman and agitator Henry Rollins could kill me with one single stony stare, but I digress. Formed in Hermosa beach in 1976 by guitarist Greg Ginn and original vocalist Keith Morris (who incidentally went on to front the equally revered Hardcore troupe “The Circle Jerks”) Black Flag began an aural assault of loud, fast aggressive music that was the epitome of the emotions felt by the frustrated, pissed off suburban youths who began
flocking to their shows in and around H.B. The band played gigs in and around their local area with like minded individuals such as “The Minutemen” or The Descendents” and the shows at the abandoned church have become the stuff of Hardcore legend. In fighting and drug problems caused Keith Morris to quit the band shortly after the release of their E.P. and true Hardcore classic, the “Jealous Again”.The band toured and performed with a succession of singers but it wasn’t until they enlisted long time fan and S.O.A. frontman Henry Garfield (later to become Henry Rollins) that the band really took off. United under the iconic 4 bar Black Flag banner and the wonderful comic book aesthetic created by long time collaborative
artist Raymond Pettibon the band quickly gained a cult following that snowballed at a rapid pace. Henry Rollins' take no prisoners attitude coupled with the tight uncompromising musicianship of the band made them an unstoppable juggernaught of rock fury. Their undisputed masterpiece and brilliantly unhinged "Damaged” L.P. was a yelping caterwaul of noise, an incessant outpouring raw emotion and the kind of controlled chaos that makes good Hardcore music work so well. Anthems like “Rise Above”, “Six Pack”, and “T.V. Party” are punk classics that no discerning fan should be without. The album sounds as fresh and ferocious 30 years on, continuing to inspire new generations of Hardcore fans across the globe to scream shirtless in Dive Bars to a crowd of 15 uninterested or hostile country music fans. Yes indeed, we all need help...serious help.
flocking to their shows in and around H.B. The band played gigs in and around their local area with like minded individuals such as “The Minutemen” or The Descendents” and the shows at the abandoned church have become the stuff of Hardcore legend. In fighting and drug problems caused Keith Morris to quit the band shortly after the release of their E.P. and true Hardcore classic, the “Jealous Again”.The band toured and performed with a succession of singers but it wasn’t until they enlisted long time fan and S.O.A. frontman Henry Garfield (later to become Henry Rollins) that the band really took off. United under the iconic 4 bar Black Flag banner and the wonderful comic book aesthetic created by long time collaborative
artist Raymond Pettibon the band quickly gained a cult following that snowballed at a rapid pace. Henry Rollins' take no prisoners attitude coupled with the tight uncompromising musicianship of the band made them an unstoppable juggernaught of rock fury. Their undisputed masterpiece and brilliantly unhinged "Damaged” L.P. was a yelping caterwaul of noise, an incessant outpouring raw emotion and the kind of controlled chaos that makes good Hardcore music work so well. Anthems like “Rise Above”, “Six Pack”, and “T.V. Party” are punk classics that no discerning fan should be without. The album sounds as fresh and ferocious 30 years on, continuing to inspire new generations of Hardcore fans across the globe to scream shirtless in Dive Bars to a crowd of 15 uninterested or hostile country music fans. Yes indeed, we all need help...serious help.
The Birth of Straight Edge: Minor Threat
Minor Threat was, without a doubt, one of the most influential bands to come out of the American Hardcore scene. On the surface they appeared to be playing straightforward D.C. Hardcore but listen closely and you will hear some of the most inspiring, socially conscious and politically motivated lyrics
in any genre of music. Minor Threats quickfire sonic blasts were overlaid with lyrics that were not only brutally honest but also totally uncompromising.
Singer/shouter Ian Mackaye’s primal style and smart mouth struck a chord with audiences in ways that still resonates to this day. Their song “Straight Edge” is
possibly the most influential 45 seconds of music ever conceived. A simple ode to sobriety and self control, the song spawned the important yet divisive Straight Edge scene whose followers set out to preach the alternative message to getting wasted at shows. Lines like ‘I don’t need to smoke dope/coz I know I can cope!’ were supposed to unite kids who didn’t want to fall into the trappings of alcohol and drugs. Unfortunately it also spawned factions of absurdly militarized Straight Edge thugs who would knock drinks out of punters hands and behave just as badly as the violent drunks they were supposedly chastising. Regardless of what Ian Macaye inadvertently started in those 45 seconds, this motley band of 17 year old kids were knocking out ferociously amazing Hardcore
music. Minor Threats bombastic attacks strike out at the listener like a rabid hyena on amphetamines and don’t let up for a single second. Short, loud and brutally fast this is music at its most emotive and desperate. Like a primal call of the wild from somewhere deep within the animalistic part of ourselves, Minor Threat served to break all bounderies and give the angry and pissed off some self respect. All of their releases are worth picking up but luckily for us, Dischord records recently released “Minor Threat: Complete Discography”, a collection that contains all of the songs they ever recorded together. This is an essential purchase for any Hardcore fan and frankly if you don’t have this you need your head examined. Simple as that.
in any genre of music. Minor Threats quickfire sonic blasts were overlaid with lyrics that were not only brutally honest but also totally uncompromising.
Singer/shouter Ian Mackaye’s primal style and smart mouth struck a chord with audiences in ways that still resonates to this day. Their song “Straight Edge” is
possibly the most influential 45 seconds of music ever conceived. A simple ode to sobriety and self control, the song spawned the important yet divisive Straight Edge scene whose followers set out to preach the alternative message to getting wasted at shows. Lines like ‘I don’t need to smoke dope/coz I know I can cope!’ were supposed to unite kids who didn’t want to fall into the trappings of alcohol and drugs. Unfortunately it also spawned factions of absurdly militarized Straight Edge thugs who would knock drinks out of punters hands and behave just as badly as the violent drunks they were supposedly chastising. Regardless of what Ian Macaye inadvertently started in those 45 seconds, this motley band of 17 year old kids were knocking out ferociously amazing Hardcore
music. Minor Threats bombastic attacks strike out at the listener like a rabid hyena on amphetamines and don’t let up for a single second. Short, loud and brutally fast this is music at its most emotive and desperate. Like a primal call of the wild from somewhere deep within the animalistic part of ourselves, Minor Threat served to break all bounderies and give the angry and pissed off some self respect. All of their releases are worth picking up but luckily for us, Dischord records recently released “Minor Threat: Complete Discography”, a collection that contains all of the songs they ever recorded together. This is an essential purchase for any Hardcore fan and frankly if you don’t have this you need your head examined. Simple as that.
The Innovators: Bad Brains
Bad Brains were one of the most exciting and energetic Hardcore bands ever to emerge
from the fertile D.C. scene. Their influence was so huge and far reaching that you can see their T-Shirts adorn the chests of frontmen and scene kids to this
day. A group of African American Rastafarians who were excited by the burgeoning punk scene blossiming all around them, the Bad Brains fused Reggae, punk and hard rock into an exciting blend of truly innovative music. The Bad Brains were so amazing because they took the music seriously and were tighter than most bands in the scene. They were blisteringly fast and manic but able to start,
stop and lock-up rythms on a dime. Furiously energetic frontman H.R., who had a circus background, would gyrate and leap about the stage like a man possessed. He could also utilize his voice in many different ways which would range from a melodic croon to a high pitched wail. Bad Brains were the band that everyone feared to play with because it was so hard to match their relentless energy and sonic assault. In fighting, a patchy discography and questionable ideology have marred the reputation of the Bad Brains somewhat but their debut album is a bombproof slab of Hardcore perfection.
from the fertile D.C. scene. Their influence was so huge and far reaching that you can see their T-Shirts adorn the chests of frontmen and scene kids to this
day. A group of African American Rastafarians who were excited by the burgeoning punk scene blossiming all around them, the Bad Brains fused Reggae, punk and hard rock into an exciting blend of truly innovative music. The Bad Brains were so amazing because they took the music seriously and were tighter than most bands in the scene. They were blisteringly fast and manic but able to start,
stop and lock-up rythms on a dime. Furiously energetic frontman H.R., who had a circus background, would gyrate and leap about the stage like a man possessed. He could also utilize his voice in many different ways which would range from a melodic croon to a high pitched wail. Bad Brains were the band that everyone feared to play with because it was so hard to match their relentless energy and sonic assault. In fighting, a patchy discography and questionable ideology have marred the reputation of the Bad Brains somewhat but their debut album is a bombproof slab of Hardcore perfection.
Satire and Trouble-making: The Dead Kennedys
Scamps, upstarts and general troublemakers The Dead Kennedy’s
were a fiercely political, socially conscious band whose anti authoritarian lyrics and left wing approach caused a stir in the mainstream. Supremely clever and caustically witty frontman Jello Biafra knew exactly how to get under people’s skin by using a blend of acerbic satire that left a bad taste in the mouths of the conservative right
wing and religious pressure groups. The masterpiece “Fresh Fruit For Rotting
Vegetables”, is a Hardcore classic that blends surf rock guitar with hardcore
rhythms, overlaid by Biafra’s unmistakable lisping vocal. Anthems such as “California Uber Alles” and “Holiday In Cambodia” are so menacing they had the
mainstream shaking in their boots and punks rejoicing in the glorious sound.
were a fiercely political, socially conscious band whose anti authoritarian lyrics and left wing approach caused a stir in the mainstream. Supremely clever and caustically witty frontman Jello Biafra knew exactly how to get under people’s skin by using a blend of acerbic satire that left a bad taste in the mouths of the conservative right
wing and religious pressure groups. The masterpiece “Fresh Fruit For Rotting
Vegetables”, is a Hardcore classic that blends surf rock guitar with hardcore
rhythms, overlaid by Biafra’s unmistakable lisping vocal. Anthems such as “California Uber Alles” and “Holiday In Cambodia” are so menacing they had the
mainstream shaking in their boots and punks rejoicing in the glorious sound.
Raw Primal Rage: The Germs
The Germs were a group of largely inept musicians led by nihilistic junkie frontman Darby Crash who caused a storm in the early 1980’s Hardcore scene by putting on the most chaotic, violent and ramshackle stage show know to man. Crash would lacerate himself onstage, start fights with audience members and destroy equipment. As destructive as it was, the Germs also felt vital and garnered a devoted following all around Southern California. Below the rough and ready surface, Crash’s lyrics contained snippets of Nietzsche and were often wordy existential meditations on what it was to be lost and disenchanted. The poorly produced but incredible “G.I.” album is worthy of its classic status and contains a number of superbly sloppy punk anthems. “Lexicon Devil” is as lyrically dense as anything found in the genre and classics such as “Richie Daggers Crime” and “Manimal” contain hooks that stay with you. Darby Crashs’ talent as a songwriter is often obscured by his onstage antics, vaguely fascist mind-games and messy early death but once “G.I.” clicks it becomes lodged in your brain forever for good or ill.
The Record that changed everything: Bad Religion (Suffer)
By the time Bad Religion released “Suffer” in 1988 the original Hardcore scene was dead and punk was in the process of digging its own grave. With this record Bad Religion made punk sound vital again and breathed new life into a comatose scene. Their innovation was to add a healthy dose of melody to Hardcore, thereby making it more accessible and listenable to a wider audience. The music was still fast and furious but the extremely well crafted melodic hooks transcended the boundaries of Hardcore and brought it kicking and screaming out of the basement. The thinking mans punk band, P.H.D. candidate (and now Dr.) Greg Graffin made punks use their brains while slam dancing. Don't believe me? Wrap your heads around these lines from the song "Delirium of Disorder"; "I am just an atom in an ectoplasmic sea/Without direction or a reason to exist/The anechoic nebula rotating in my brain is persuading me contritely to persist." Heavy stuff! Bad Religion spawned so many like minded bands and their melodious approach influenced the entire skate punk scenes. Disciples such as NOFX, Millencollin, Rise Against, Pennywise and Ignite often cite “Suffer” as a major influence on, and turning point in, their careers. Without “Suffer” modern punk rock might not exist at all let alone sound the way it does. Vital!
The Essential Hardcore Playlist
"Rise Above" (Black Flag)
"Six Pack" (Black Flag)
"Seeing Red" (Minor Threat)
Screaming At a Wall" (Minor Threat)
"California Uber Alles" (Dead Kennedys)
"Holiday In Cambodia" (Dead Kennedys)
"Amoeba" (The Adolescents)
"I'm Not a Punk" (The Descendents)
"Lexicon Devil" (The Germs)
Richie Daggers Crime (The Germs)
"Banned In D.C. (Bad Brains)
"Pay to Cum" (Bad Brains)
"Suffer" (Bad Religion)
"The Index Fossil Part IV" (Bad Religion)
"Wild In The Streets" (Circle Jerks)
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"Six Pack" (Black Flag)
"Seeing Red" (Minor Threat)
Screaming At a Wall" (Minor Threat)
"California Uber Alles" (Dead Kennedys)
"Holiday In Cambodia" (Dead Kennedys)
"Amoeba" (The Adolescents)
"I'm Not a Punk" (The Descendents)
"Lexicon Devil" (The Germs)
Richie Daggers Crime (The Germs)
"Banned In D.C. (Bad Brains)
"Pay to Cum" (Bad Brains)
"Suffer" (Bad Religion)
"The Index Fossil Part IV" (Bad Religion)
"Wild In The Streets" (Circle Jerks)
BadIdeaDan for MLMGB