Musicians

Adolescents

A hardcore five piece from Los Angeles, the Adolescents were one of the forerunners in the raucous scene that emerged during the early 1980s. Releasing their first album in 1981, the band disbanded and reformed over the course of a tumultuous run of performing that spanned nearly a decade.

Against Me!

Melding the sounds of country, folk, hardcore, punk, and blues, Against Me! delivers their searing social and political commentary in a sincere and poetic fashion. Promoting activism and political consciousness, the Floridian quartet is another hardworking band that has garnered a loyal and far-reaching following.

Asian Dub Foundation

Asian Dub Foundation are 21st century MIDI warriors. Their distinctive sound is a combination of hard ragga-jungle rhythms, indo-dub basslines, searing sitar- inspired guitars and ‘traditional’ sounds gleaned from their parents’ record collections, shot through with fast-chat conscious lyrics. Formed in London from a Community project, they blast against racism, xenophobia and the current right wing agenda in Great Britain today.

Bad Brains

Founded back in 1977 when four inner city kids playing jazz music chanced upon a Sex Pistols album, Bad Brains has served as an influence for almost every punk outfit today, and had followers in such bands as Teen Idles, Minor Threat, and S.O.A. Following the band’s relocation to New York, the quartet adopted the Rastafari religion, and started focusing on living through righteous action and thoughts.

Bad Religion

For over two decades, Bad Religion has been at the forefront of questioning the seeming truths that are being presented to us. Headed by song writers Greg Graffin, who recently completed his doctorate at Cornell, and Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz, the band has presented their challenge to the status quo with a healthy dose of fast paced punk rock.

Bikini Kill

A riot grrrl punk rock band, formed in Olympia, Washington in October of 1990. Often considered the godmothers of riot grrrl, Bikini Kill’s incendiary lyrics, calling for “Revolution Girl Style Now” helped inspire countless female punk bands of the 1990s and later. Hanna, a former stripper, wrote most of the band’s songs and encouraged a female-centered environment at their shows, urging girls to come to the front of the stage and handing out lyric sheets to them.

Billy Bragg

A native man of Essex. He wrote (as well as other Socialism and the new social order in the UK and England) about “England’s Route 66″ which stretches from London and through England. Starting out in Punk in the late 70s, Bragg grew into more overtly political Folk and Blues as the 80s went on. A recent work was an anti-monarchy single released on the same day as The Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Black Flag

One of the most powerful bands to emerge in punk music, Black Flag was founded by guitarist Greg Ginn in attempt to forge a new sound in order to confront the overproduced garbage of the time. Charismatic lead singer Henry Rollins joined the band in 1981 after jumping on stage during a show and impressing the band with his vocals. Despite a number of lineup changes, the band continued to belt out records for a nearly a decade and have influenced bands in every spectrum of the punk scene.

Boysetsfire

The mix of energy and melody, memorable songs and serious messages is what Boysetsfire is all about. The Delaware quintet has been a longtime staple in both underground and mainstream circles, riding on the success of their post-punk sound combined with steady touring and frequent appearances at music festivals.

Bob Dylan

The preeminent songwriter of his time, Dylan has bridged the gaps between rock and country while playing the role of renegade throughout his career. Utilizing image laden and biting lyricism, Dylan has continued to provide a running commentary on a restless age.

CRASS

Easily the most notorious band of the 70s and 80s, Crass are remembered as pioneers in the genre of anarcho-punk as well as for offering their records for little more than they cost to be pressed. Their music has been described as cacophonic and the lyricism as mindless, they were more revolutionary in ways that extended beyond the studio.

Dead Kennedys

Founded in 1978, the heavily social conscious band released records on their own Alternative Tentacles imprint. Fronted by vocalist Jello Biafra, DK songs satirized the violence and conservatism that was ominous in American culture, which in turn led to their confrontations with the police, who were often in heavy force at shows. DK played their last show in 1986, but the Alternative Tentacles label has continued to thrive.

Darkest Hour

In the eight years since the band’s inception, Darkest Hour has become one of the strongest forces in the underground metal scene. Drawing on Swedish speed metal and the chaos that is thrash, the quintet has continued to mature both musically and lyrically with each new release. With their latest album, The Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation, they tackle issues such as overzealous patriotism, military strength, and media propaganda.

Epic

One of the most recognizable figures in the Canadian hip hop scene, Epic combines an unorthodox flow with witty and insightful lyrics. An old school freestyle legend, Epic continues to one his candid style at everywhere from battles to radio shows to parking lots.

F-Minus

F-Minus present hardcore punk in its truest form-fast, abrasive, and challenging. The Huntington Beach quartet has gone through some lineup changes, but their objective hasn’t, thanks to the songwriting consistency of lead singer and guitarist Brad Logan.

Fugazi

Formed by former Minor Threat headman Ian Mackeye, Fugazi have been a major force in the music scene for over a decade. Playing a post-punk style that hasn’t been altered to cater to any particular scene, Fugazi has developed a wide fan base while remaining independent and void of any major radio airplay.

The Germs

The Germs are a punk rock band from Los Angeles, forming in the late 1970s. Their 1977 single, Forming/Sexboy (live), was the first punk record from the West Coast of the US. Lead singer Darby Crash was, despite his erratic behavior, a brilliant lyricist (a contemporary critic described him as “ransacking the dictionary”). Crash committed suicide in 1980, at age 22, for reasons unreported at the time. Many believed as a tribute to his idol Sid Vicious who had died a year earlier.

Good Riddance

Since the band’s formation in 1986, Good Riddance have developed a striking dynamic, featuring lead singers Russ Rankin’s sharp lyrics over a hardcore punk musical backdrop. The hockey obsessed Santa Cruz natives belt out edgy rock with each of their releases.

Gruf

Environmentalism, evolution, the iniquitous distribution of wealth, the imminent prospect of global gridlock - Gruf tackles all these issues and more on his solo projects as well as when teaming up with Pip Skid to perform as Fermented Reptile.

The Locust

The Locust is a hardcore band from San Diego, California. Known for their strange style of music. A synth-heavy, distorted, grindcore, crust punk and experimental/noise-influenced sound. The Locust have a daunting stage presence, wearing skin-tight, full-body, white (or green) suits with large, black mesh, bug-like eye and mouth coverings which make them look fearful and alien. Lyrically, The Locust is a scathing satire of popular mainstream U.S. culture, homosexual culture, and U.S. politics.

Morrissey

Morrissey’s music is characterized by ambiguous sexuality, provocative iconoclasm, and lyrical compositions. Reputed to be uninterested in compromise or record company marketing principles, Morrissey has long suffered the consequences of operating as a quasi-outsider in the music industry.

Napalm Death

Napalm Death have been at the forefront of the death metal movement since they were established in Birmingham, England circa 1982. By incorporating hardcore and thrash into metal riffs they created what is now considered grindcore and to this day have remained a sonically defiant task force. With distribution help from then start-up label Earache, and a countrywide introduction from BBC Radio DJ John Peel their dissident music was heard, available, and embraced by a nation and eventually the world.

Non-Prophets

The Non-Prophets are a couple of straight-edge disaholics who have nothing better to do than create amazing hip-hop. This duo is dangerous if for nothing other than their hateful animosity towards a mainstream culture that would never accept them no matter how tight they rolled their acid washed jeans in 8th grade.

Mike Park

The founder of the fiercely independent Asian Man Records, Mike Park epitomizes the “do it yourself” attitude of the underground scene. Park has released records by such bands as the Alkaline Trio, MU330, Slapstick, and The Lawrence Arms, using only a handshake and a promise of good faith as a “contract.” Also, Park has combated racism and other social maladies through his own bands The Bruce Lee Band and The Chinkees.

Minor Threat

Founded back in 1980 by vocalist Ian MacKaye, Lyle Preslar, Brian Baker, and Steve Hansgen, Minor Threat is arguably the single most important band in the history of hardcore. A group of teenagers, MacKaye’s lyrics tackled very significant socio-political issues, expressing outrage against alcoholism, racism, and violence, while the musicianship featured hard and heavy riffs and driving drums.

Paint It Black

After establishing a melody driven edge to today’s punk in Lifetime, and re-configuring it in Kid Dynamite, the tested-and-approved duo of Dan Yemin and Dave Wagenschutz now offer their most distilled, aggressive approach as Paint it Black. Yemin “steps to the mic,” conveying the intensely personal as well as the overtly political. Armed with the largesse of experience, the band isn’t afraid to dispose with the guarded irony and get with the threatening urgency of a beautifully written “fuck you” song.

Pip Skid

Pip Skid is the angriest and most intense individual in hip hop. Heralded as the last great political rapper, Pip’s music is far from soothing, featuring scathing rants that leave no rock unturned. He also teams up with Peanuts and Corn label mate Gruf to form Fermented Reptile.

Propagandhi

Crossing the border into the States from the backwoods of Canada, the thrash rock trio confronts all facets of political and social spectrum head on. Promoting their “Anti-Fascist, Gay Positive, Pro-Feminist, Animal Friendly” ideology, Propagandhi has also started G7 Welcoming Committee Records to further the cause of socio-political awareness.

Rage Against the Machine

The controversial and popular metal band exemplified the messages they promoted in their music. From performing for the Anti-Nazi League to taking part in protest marches, Rage gained a tremendous following and inspired a vision for a better tomorrow. Since the departure of lead singer Zach de la Rocha, the remaining members of the band have continued on as Audioslave with new singer Chris Cornell.

Reagan Youth

One of the driving forces behind the New York hardcore scene, Reagan Youth’s music is highly ironic and satirical. The band toured across the country, and shared the stage with acts such as Bad Brains and Dead Kennedys at “Rock Against Racism” shows during the early 1980s. Having made no money from the music industry, Reagan Youth officially disbanded when President Ronald Reagan left office.

Refused

The now defunct hardcore act constantly examined every facet of the global spectrum, spreading their message equipped with an honest performance and a delirious tour schedule.

Sole

The founder and driving force behind the Anticon movement, Sole left his job as a computer programmer to follow his rap aspirations. Utilizing the internet medium to gain a wide and diverse following, Sole has set out to show that hip hop hasn’t entirely been engulfed by corporate machines, rapping about life and politics, Sole has honed a style that is one of the most distinguishable in the scene.

soso

Disgusted by run of the mill boring hip hop, Soso started Clothes Horse Records along with fellow Canadian Epic as a means to develop and disseminate his unique musical vision. Soso continues to develop his skill as both a poignant lyricist and a producer featuring simple yet haunting beats.

System of a Down

The hard rock band, sharing Armenian ancestry, developed from a wide range of musical interests. Song topics range from abstraction and existentialism to political and religious, all while entertaining many in the mainstream scene.

The Circle Jerks

The Circle Jerks have reigned as the leaders in taking pot-shots at high class society and indulging in insolent rage. Garnering their own unique crowd in the Southern Californian hardcore scene, The Circle Jerks have opened the door for many bands, despite their staunchly political lyrics.

The Manic Street Preachers

Originally a four peice band hailing from Wales in the UK, The Manic Street Preachers wanted to restore the controversy and rebellion that rock and roll had seemed to have lost since the 1970s. Now a three peice since one of their band (Richey James) vanished, their songs talk about Socialism, the failure of Capitalism and the perils of the far right and facism.

The Suicide File

What started off as just a few friends jamming turned into one of the most pertinent hardcore bands to have emerged in the last decade. Burning bright and going out in a blaze, Suicide File’s existence was carried by the kind of no-holds barred lyricism that has been lost in the current “punk” scene.

T.S.O.L.

Exploding onto the Californian punk scene in 1979, T.S.O.L. quickly became a force to be reckoned with featuring fast paced punk anthems and catchy melodies. However, due to the excessiveness that came with the rise in popularity, the band’s foundation fell apart and led to the departure of lead singer Jack Grisham and Todd Barnes and resulted in the band regressing to a more primitive sound.

Woody Guthrie

A keen observer of the world around him, Guthrie drew largely on first hand experience in his song writing. Guthrie developed a knack for commenting on topics such as corruption in politics, business and law, and praising humanist principles and union members.