14/09/2025
In the first wave of punk rock, the "older punks" were typically members of influential proto-punk bands from the late 1960s and early 1970s, while the "younger punks" emerged from the mid-1970s onward in scenes like those in New York and London. The younger wave often took inspiration from the older acts to create a faster, more aggressive, and politically charged sound and image.
Older (proto-punk) artists
These musicians developed an influential, gritty sound in the years leading up to the 1974–1976 punk explosion. Their music directly inspired the new generation of punk artists.
Iggy and the Stooges (formed in 1967): Frontman Iggy Pop's erratic, confrontational stage presence and the band's primal sound defined a rebellious new attitude.
MC5 (formed in 1964): The Detroit band blended high-energy rock and roll with radical left-wing politics, influencing the anti-authoritarian themes in later punk.
The New York Dolls (formed in 1971): Combining glam rock with a raw, "trashy" aesthetic and sloppy musicianship, they were a major template for the New York punk scene.
The Velvet Underground (active from 1964): Though more of an art-rock band, their experimental dissonance and gritty, taboo-breaking lyrics influenced the artistic side of the early New York punk scene centered at CBGB.
Patti Smith (active from 1974): An established poet who had worked closely with artists from the 1960s, she brought a bohemian and intellectual flair to the burgeoning punk scene.
Younger (first-wave) punk artists
These musicians emerged in the mid-to-late 1970s, taking the aggressive, confrontational attitude of proto-punk and channeling it into a faster, more direct musical style.
United States (New York)
Ramones (formed in 1974): Known for their distinct, three-chord, buzzsaw-guitar sound and short songs, the Ramones are widely considered to have created the foundational sound of punk rock. Their 1976 tour of the UK was particularly influential for British punks.
Talking Heads (formed in 1975): With their more cerebral and eclectic style, they were part of the artistic scene at CBGB and went on to define the sound of new wave.
Richard Hell and the Voidoids (formed in 1976): As a former member of Television, Hell was a prominent figure in the New York scene and influenced the punk aesthetic with his torn clothing and spiky hair.
Blondie (formed in 1974): Emerging from the CBGB scene, they fused a pop sensibility with punk rock energy, later leading the new wave movement.
United Kingdom (London)
The S*x Pistols (formed in 1975): Created with a specific punk image and attitude by manager Malcolm McLaren, they became the face of British punk, known for their provocative lyrics and notorious behavior.
The Clash (formed in 1976): While sharing a similar rebellious energy with the Pistols, they brought a greater musical diversity, incorporating elements of reggae and ska.
The Damned (formed in 1976): Releasing the first British punk single ("New Rose") and album, they were known for their fast, energetic songs and often more humorous and horror-influenced imagery.
Buzzcocks (formed in 1976): Hailing from Manchester, they brought a catchy, pop-influenced sensibility to punk rock, with lyrics often focused on love and relationships.
