Punk rock is a type of rock music that developed in the middle to late 1970’s. It has a loud, fast, and energetic sound. Punk rockers bring an angry, rebellious attitude to their music. Many of the early punk rockers tried to shock people with their rowdy behavior and wild clothing and hairstyles.
Punk rock developed mainly in New York City and London. The movement was led in New York City by such bands as the Ramones, the Patti Smith Group, Television, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids. The leading punk bands in London included the Clash and the Sex Pistols.
The punk rock movement began partly as a reaction against mainstream rock and the technical, impersonal sounds of disco music (see Disco music). Many punk bands were emotional. Some—particularly the Sex Pistols—deliberately tried to offend audiences with their outrageous and insulting behavior on stage. Others, such as the Clash, wrote passionate political lyrics.
Loading the player...Rock music: Punk
Punk rock songs are often short and simply structured. Many punk rock performers tried to re-create the raw energy of the early rock ‘n’ roll groups. Notable punk rock songs include “Blitzkrieg Bop” (1976) and “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” (1977) by the Ramones, “Anarchy in the U.K.” (1976) and “God Save the Queen” (1977) by the Sex Pistols, “Blank Generation” (1977) by Richard Hell and the Voidoids, and “White Riot” (1977) and “London Calling” (1979) by the Clash.
A type of music called new wave developed around the same time as punk rock. New wave was a more commercial form of music than punk but was closely related to it. Like punk rock, new wave expressed anger—but in a softened form. Many new wave songs had a fun and danceable sound. Important new wave performers from the United Kingdom included the singer Elvis Costello and the band the Cure. Among the major new wave performers from the United States were Talking Heads, led by the singer and guitarist David Byrne; the Cars; and the B-52s. Popular new wave songs include “Watching the Detectives” (1977), “Pump It Up” (1978), and “Radio Radio” (1978) by Elvis Costello and the Attractions; “Rock Lobster” (1978) by the B-52s; and “Take Me to the River” (1978) and “Once in a Lifetime” (1981) by Talking Heads.
Loading the player...Rock music: New wave
Punk rock and new wave influenced a number of later popular rock bands. Notable examples include the American bands the Offspring, Green Day, Nirvana, and Blink-182.
