The Ramones were the band that started it all for punk rock. Starting their musical careers in the mid 1970s in New York City, they were the first punk band to make it big and sign with a major label. They gained punk much of its popularity early on and inspired many other bands.

The Misfits are another influential punk band from New York. They began around the same time as the Ramones but made their own sound that was heavier than all the other bands at the time. They call this genre horror punk and are the credited founders of it.

Minor Threat was from the early 80s and helped shape the hardcore punk scene. They were most noted for their extremely fast playing, which no other band had done before them. They sped up all their songs and screamed all their lyrics, giving them a unique and aggressive sound.

Bad Religion was a 80s hardcore band who had very strong political views. They were loud and fast and had very ingenious lyrics. Greg Graffin was their singer and was also a Harvard graduate. They were a very important band and are still touring and creating music today.

The Dead Kennedys were a very political San Francisco punk band. They used satiric humor in their songs to help get the point across. Jello Biafra, their singer, had a very unique and memorable voice to compliment and complete there unforgettable sound.

The Casualties are one of the few 90s hardcore punk bands that made it big. They aimed to bring back the “golden era of punk” in which they loved so much. They went away from what the newer punk bands were doing and stayed true to their New York roots, which lead them to be very successful.

Anti-Flag is another big 90s band that is still touring and making music today. They are one of the few successful Pittsburgh punk bands that have made it big and love and support their hometown. They have very strong political views and are all activists.