BJ’s Top 10 Punk Bands

Lace up the Doc Martins, spike that hair and get out your safety pins people because we are about to go on a punk rawk journey of epic proportions.  I am in a bit of a punk rock mood today.  It's probably because my good buddies in local punk band The Blisterz dropped off their latest album to me yesterday and I have been cranking it.  I love punk rock music.  To be honest, it's simple straight forward rock music that just gets you pumped up.  To say that it's simple sounds like an insult, but really that's exactly what it is.

If you don't love punk you have probably at least gone through a punk rock phase in your life.  Everyone has.  You crank up The Ramones or The Clash an think that you're the most rebelious person in the world.  I think Punk is the perfect in between music for people who don't want metal all the time, but want that edgy factor.  I fell in love with punk music when I was in high school and have loved it ever since.  So let's take a look at my top 10 punk bands.  Some you'll agree with, some you won't and you may even want to add some in and feel free to.

10. Blink - 182

Blink was the soundtrack to high school for me. I loved these guys. Just a fun band that guys and girls could both like. One of the best pop punk bands and I think they sum up the sound of the 90's pretty well. I'm glad that they are back together and working on a new album.

9. AFI

I think AFI gets a bad wrap these days but back in the day these guys were total punk rockers. I may not be a big fan of some of their new stuff but pop in The Art of Drowning or Black Sails In The Sunset and you'll see what I'm talking about.  Lead singer Davey Havok had to change up the way he sang due to some vocal problems, but he still tears up the stage every single time.  These guys were actually discovered by The Offspring and put on their Nitro record label, who decided to let them go because they thought they could be bigger than that.  I guess they were right.

8. Rancid

Here is another great punk band to come out the 90's.  I love Rancid.  They have a very old school punk feel.  Maybe it's Tim Armstrong's voice?  One thing that is for sure, Matt Freeman is one of the most phenomenal bass players in the biz.  The way he just lets his fingers walk the bass line gives Rancid a real signature sound. If you're not into Rancid, do yourself a favor and listen to them.  You'll thank me.

7. The Offspring

Americana was one of the first CD's I ever owned. I didn't even know who The Offspring were, I just liked the cover of it.  It was after that, that I went out to get a bunch more of their stuff and man was that awesome.  These guys are all grown up now with kids that are high school and college age but are still rocking just as hard.   I have always loved Dexter Hollands vocals. There new album really sounds like those old Offspring album of the early 90's.

6. Dropkick Murphys

If you want to get your face rocked off then go to a Dropkick Murphys show. Some fo the best Irish punk rock music to come out of Massachusetts.  I have been to multiple Dropkick shows over the years and they are so full of energy it's awesome.  They never slow down.  Thank god their parents use to play them tons of Irish music when they were kids or we wouldn't have this awesome sound.

5. The Stooges

One of the pioneers of the punk movement. To bad they kind of imploded in the 70's after just 3 albums. They would record another album in 2007 and their influence was recognized in 2010 when they were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

4. The Clash

These guys are the reason that we have bands like Green Day, Good Charlotte and New Found Glory. Pioneers of that pop punk sound and still influential to this day. Every once in a while I like to sit back and listen to the Clash. RIP Joe Strummer, you are missed.

3. Social Distortion

One of my all time favorite bands period. Mike Ness is a punk rock god. If you have never been to a Social D show then keep you're ears open for the next time they are coming to town.  I love that it's  little 1950's rockabilly, mixed with Johnny Cash mixed with The Ramones.  That's why these guys rock.

2. Black Flag

These guys rep that California punk scene like no other. Plus you can't deny that Henry Rollins is the man! Everything about Black Flag is punk. The attitude, the dress, the fact that there is a constant tempo change throughout every single song. So punk.

1. The Ramones

It's hard to argue that these guys aren't the most influential punk band of all time. When their first album came out, the British guys took notice and changed up their sound to match. Love, love, love the Ramones. One of the best rock bands ever.

So those are my top 10 punk bands.  Just my favorites, nothing definitive here so don't take it that way.  I'm sure you'll disagree with some, but hey that's what is so great about America.  Sorry guys, no Sex Pistols here.  I can't stand that crap.