The word “underground” sparks images of art marked by authenticity and unscathed by commercialization. In music, punk has its roots in the “underground,” as its rebellious, unapologetic themes of defiance do not quite attract ears searching for a simple melody to get through the day. Because of its confined and abrasive nature, punk can appear intimidating to get into, but understanding its origin and familiarising oneself with a few punk artists can help break the ice when becoming a punk-rocker.
Bands like The Kinks, who were banned from touring in the US once, laid the foundation for punk with gritty and ragged collections of instrumentals, but true punk came into existence when newer bands, like the Sex Pistols began accompanying these instrumentals with edgy and uncensored lyrics that critiqued society, officially defining the genre for what it is today — raw anti-establishmentarianism — and separating it from similar genres like metal that preferred more inexplicit rebellious lyrics. Punk has always been unafraid of public perception, but it spans a spectrum when it comes to lyrical arrogance. The Ramones, in particular, place less emphasis on stirring controversy and are regarded as a founding punk band, and serve as a great segue into punk due to their more upbeat melodies and cleaner lyrics.
Perhaps the Ramones’ most famous song is “Blitzkrieg Bop,” which captures the pure essence of punk at its nascent stage. Its title plays on a German warfare tactic from World War II, playing into the satirical nature of punk, and the song is driven by a fast-paced yet controlled three-chord progression that would appear in many future punk songs as well. Its lyrics compare the eccentric and high-energy punk crowds to German soldiers performing blitzkrieg, yet the song is on the tamer side of punk, just as many other Ramones songs are, because the Ramones intended rather to sing of a teenage type of rebellion rather than actual political or societal critiques. Thus, the Ramones have a higher level of accessibility for those unacquainted with more violent or shocking lyrics, as are those of the Dead Kennedys.
Emerging just before and continuing into the Ronald Reagan era of the US, the Dead Kennedys are a staple punk band known for unapologetically calling out injustices with lyrics completely unconcerned with mainstream reception. In fact, their debut single from 1979, “California Über Alles,” has its first lyrics as, “I am Governor Jerry Brown,” instantly calling out the former California governor. The band continues in the perspective of Brown, mocking him with the lead singer, Jello Biafra, singing heinous statements such as, “I will be Führer,” illustrating the controversy associated with punk and contributing to its confinement in its own scene. The Dead Kennedys continued their explicit and problematic lyrics in albums like “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables” and “Plastic Surgery Disasters,” which were often accompanied by disturbing album covers, building a niche but withholding fanbase that finally felt heard in their societal struggles. Once used to more aggravating lyrics, new punk fans should definitely give the Dead Kennedys a try, especially those who frequent protest songs.
Though protest is definitely a core value of punk, the Misfits took a different approach to the genre. Punk is intended to shock, and the Misfits pushed this boundary to the limit, creating an entirely new subgenre: horror punk. Rather than centering their lyrics on direct political protest, the Misfits infused every lyric in their catalog with sheer macabre and gore, focusing on pure shock value for their listeners. They also went as far as to alter their appearances, appearing nearly demonic with their ghoulish makeup and signature hairstyle of a long, centered strand of black hair, coined the “devil’s lock.” Being a band in the 1990s meant competing with mainstream metal bands that were becoming heavier with each new album, yet every Misfits album was absolutely unhinged in its lyrics and speed, putting all heavy and thrash metal albums of the decade to shame.
Though their lyrics did not quite fit the mold of protest, their aggressive instrumentals and uncaring attitude brought them into punk and earned them a spot as a cult classic that all punk fans should try to emulate. After all, when dabbling in the punk genre, their mascot, the Crimson Ghost, is always bound to show up. However, any new punk listener should be warned that when noted that their albums are “unhinged,” it means that their lyrics are absolutely diabolical and may disgust listeners not used to art with shock value.
Perhaps when listening to the lyrics of Dead Kennedys or the Misfits, a punk listener may find themselves uncomfortable in the genre. In that case, the new punk-rocker can turn to pop punk. Blink-182 is a great limbo between the light-hearted lyrics of pop and the more rebellious themes of punk. Their lyrics are certainly enough to upset a listener’s parents, but they typically avoid controversy as they rarely tie into politics. Blink-182 perfectly captures the rebellion that teenagers experiment with as they pass these transitional and often humiliating years of their lives, making the band relatable and light on the mind to listen to. Despite this more light-hearted rebellion, they maintain high velocity in their instrumentals, keeping listeners in high energy just as punk does. Blink-182 and other pop-punk bands like Green Day offer a safe entry into punk for those unsure about starting with more gritty, abrasive sounds.
Punk is undoubtedly a niche genre that not all may come to appreciate, but it is also broader than some may presume. For a music fan looking to explore its repertoire, it all boils down to the listener’s comfort with shock and aggression. If the listener is already familiar with harsh, violent lyrics from other genres like death metal, they may jump straight into the Misfits. On the contrary, if the listener prefers more tame yet still satirical lyrics, they may check out the Ramones. But no matter the band a new punk-rocker starts with, punk always remains a rewarding experience.
