Top 10 Modern Punk Bands
#10: La Dispute
If you want to be called an intellectual for your music taste, this is the band for you. La Dispute has been active since 2004 and is known for their experimental style. Rather than being restricted by genre labels, their music fuses various influences, such as hardcore punk with jazz, screamo, or blues. What makes the Grand Rapids, Michigan act stand out in the punk scene is their spoken word-style delivery. The lyrics are philosophical and often inspired by the members own lives. This lends a certain vulnerability to their songs, while the dynamic arrangement ensures you keep headbanging. Its the best of both worlds!
#9: L.S. Dunes
When some of the best punk-rockers come together, history is created. Saosins Anthony Green, MCR legend Frank Iero, Coheed and Cambrias Travis Stever, and Tim Payne and Tucker Rule from Thursday formed L.S. Dunes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This inevitably brought up major 2000s nostalgia during a dark time, but it was also fresh enough to raise a new generation of emo kids. No wonder the band has proven so successful. Theyve been busy touring, and their second studio album, Violet, reached number three on the UK Rock & Metal Albums chart. Clearly, fans cant get enough.
#8: Pinkshift
This band rose to fame the Gen Z way. They went viral on social media for their song I'm gonna tell my therapist on you, earning a co-sign from punk outfit Anti-Flag. Their pop-punk sound is anthemic and easy to get into. However, the band also boasts enough grunge and grit to convey the defiance of disaffected communities. Fronted by Ashrita Kumar, Pinkshifts bold focus on cultural activism through their music resonates with fans, too. Although theyre in the early stages of their career, the band has already supported artists like Pussy Riot and The Linda Lindas on tour. We cant wait to see what they have in store for us next.
#7: The Chisel
The UK punk scene is a vibrant world, and definitely deserves more global attention. The Chisel is one of many bands at its forefront. They tap into iconic sub-genres like oi! and street punk, giving a voice to the unheard struggles of young people. Their music is characterized by the full-throttle intensity of hardcore punk, as well as irresistible catchiness. However, dont let the upbeat hooks fool you. The socially conscious lyrics reveal the dark underbelly of society and are unapologetically anti-establishment. With their extraordinary potential, The Chisel is destined for greatness.
#6: PUP
If you thought this was too cute a name for a punk band, think again. PUP is short for Pathetic Use of Potential. As you can probably tell, these are punk rockers with a sense of humor, and that often translates into their music. Hailing from Canada and widely celebrated there, PUP serves up self-aware existential dread that hits too close to home at times, but then they laugh about it. The vocals are passionate, and the instrumentation is explosive. However, none of that is meant to distract from the emotional core. Instead, they amplify its rawness in a cathartic way. Besides, the members are so endearingly chaotic that stanning PUP is genuinely fun.
#5: The Chats
This deliciously irreverent Australian band calls their sonic aesthetic shed rock. On some days, that means garage punk. On others, its rock and roll. Either way, theyre honoring the ethos of DIY punk by making music thats rough around the edges and would probably tick off your neighbors if played too loud. The Chats have also gone viral for their Australiana, especially through songs like Smoko and Pub Feed. For the music video of the former, they had a budget of five whole dollars. Still, they managed to impress rock legends like Iggy Pop and Dave Grohl with it. Obviously, theyre not trying to change the world by singing about smoke breaks, but sometimes, thats more punk than youd think.
#4: Turnstile
This Grammy-nominated band from Baltimore, Maryland, is best described as hardcore punk with a pop sheen textured with shoegaze and driven by an alt-rock energy. In other words, theyre constantly evolving. While many punk bands throw their fists up in the air and rage against the system, Turnstile looks inward. So, youre usually left with feeling more than you bargained for with their songs. Crowds go wild at their high-octane performances, but the band is also capable of making you cry in the club. This versatility has garnered Turnstile a wide fan base because theres something for everyone in their discography.
#3: Amyl and the Sniffers
Theyre one of the biggest names in the modern punk scene right now, representing Australia on the worlds stage. Amyl and the Sniffers, fronted by the exceptionally talented and fierce Amy Taylor, is a powerhouse of a band. Theyve built an unbeatable reputation for their rip-roaring concerts, but are also beloved for their outspoken politics. Whether it be advocating for feminism and protecting their audience from predatory behavior during shows or denouncing systemic oppression through their lyrics, the group doesnt shy away from taking a stand. Reckless and unfiltered, Amyl and the Sniffers is not for the faint of heart.
#2: Fontaines D.C.
Were taking you all the way to Dublin for this one. Formed by a group of poets-turned-punkers, Fontaines D.C. is an award-winning band. Theres a certain cerebral depth to this group that sets them apart from the rest. Their gritty post-punk sound, Grian Chattens world-weary but compelling vocals, and the hauntingly bleak lyrics hit hard. The cinematic visuals of their music videos are carried over to their concerts, making their shows feel grand and immersive. To put it simply, Fontaines D.C. is an experience, and you dont want to miss it.
#1: Idles
These chart-topping hitmakers from Bristol, England, are the face of modern punk. They probably wouldnt like this title, though. After all, they dont consider themselves punk, even though everyone else does. However, that very defiance, combined with the bands liberal politics, screams punk. Idles music has soul and socio-political discourse, and neither of those is presented in pretty packaging. Their songs are raw, vulnerable, and even violent in the imagery they evoke at times, reflecting the reality of the world we live in. That said, theres also hope and love, bursting through the cracks. If all this wasnt impressive enough, theyre also electrifying live performers. With multiple Grammy nods under their belt, Idles truly is the future.
Who is your go-to punk band when youre feeling rebellious? Share your recommendations with us in the comments section!
