Punk-Tober: Bad Religion

I've been thinking about the different genres of punk that I've been distinguishing since the beginning of this month and think I've finally split the genre into 6 sub-genres. Just to note, many punk bands stride the line between several styles of punk. Ex: Rise Against = (Alterna + Thrash)

First is classic punk, stuff like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols, powered by a strong hard rhythm but is also the least plentiful style in this day and age.

Second is alterna-punk, a modern mainstream re-envisioning of the sounds created by the classics and often mixing influences of other genres as well. Most bands that you will have heard of like Green Day, Rise Against, Blink-182, The Bouncing Souls and even Flogging Molly fit into this category.

Third is thrash punk composed of blistering fast rhythms and usually raspy vocals and often not very good. Many bands have songs that fit into this category (Pennywise, Dropkick Murphys) but it is hard to isolate a popular band that fits here throughout their whole lifespan (seeing as how both Pennywise and Dropkick Murphys have turned to a more alternative sound recently.)

Fourth is Ska which is often separated into an entirely separate genre but does belong here as well. Mostly noted for the use of horns, bands like Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, Streetlight Manifesto, and Catch 22 are prime examples of this genre done right.

Fifth is skate punk which in retrospect is hardly its own genre and more of a mixture of alterna-punk and thrash but has carved out its own niche with bands like Millencolin leading the way.

And lastly in Sixth is what I call Shock Punk. Just as bands like Alice Cooper and KISS created shock rock with outrageous onstage shenanigans and somewhat disturbing lyrical content, punk has its own rendition of those themes. But unlike shock rock, it often takes a much more drastic and disturbing turn than just fake blood and facepaint. Often it involves disturbing content (whether lyrical or topical) either to prove a point or simply to be obnoxious and "edgy" (a.k.a. crude.) Many also fall into the rut of complaining simply to complain or argue over meaningless matters...



Long explanation to get to the band for today: Bad Religion. This band is a great example of how shock punk can be used properly. Nearly all of the songs have a political basis or focus on a current national or worldwide problem and do an honest job of pointing out the issue while also still making compelling music to accompany it. That and they are probably the most successful shock punk band of all time with their music used everywhere from mainstream radio to movies and videogames (Guitar Hero 1, Rock Band, many of the Tony Hawk games.) The music to most shock punk (including Bad Religion) fits its own genre with the most similarities to thrash but doesn't share many of the cornerstones of that sub-genre like the muffled and unintelligible vocals and uncompromisingly fast and complex instrumental parts. Thank Epitaph once again for pulling some choice cuts from most of their albums including two from Process of Belief, two from The Empire Strikes First, two from No Control, two from Against the Grain, one from Generator, two from How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, two from Suffer, one from Bad Religion EP, two from All Ages, two from Recipe For Hate, and one from 80-85. For those unacquainted, try Process of Belief, No Control, and The Empire Strikes First and explore the rest from there. Enjoy!!