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Description of Hardcore

 
Frighteningly fast, alarmingly loud and intensely idealistic, Hardcore Punk rose from the original glory days of Punk to become its most extreme subgenre. Hardcore bands shared a distaste for New Wave (the more stylish offshoot of late 1970s Punk), shunning its pretensions and pricey production techniques. The result was music that diametrically opposed New Wave's slickness. Hardcore bands such as Black Flag and Minor Threat also set the future standard for do-it- yourself bookings and promotion by creating pockets of interest nationwide through grassroots efforts, constant touring and anti-rock star attitudes. Hardcore continues to thrive today in both regional scenes and a national network of 'zines (self-published magazines).
 

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Hardcore Key Artists

 
Agnostic Front

Pioneers of New York City
Hardcore scene, Agnostic
Front released their first
record in 1982. Agnostic
Front were one of the ear...

Avail

Combining marching
melodies and anthemic
vocals, Avail broke the
stereotype of Hardcore
bands playing loud, fast a...

Bad Brains

Not just one of the first
Hardcore bands ever, the
Bad Brains remain one of
the few all-black Punk
bands ever. Bad Brains sta...

Black Flag

Formed in 1977, Black Flag
were one of the earliest,
best, and most important
hardcore bands. Raymond
Pettibon, the artist respon...

Circle Jerks

Led by one-time Black Flag
singer Keith Morris, the
Circle Jerks are a staple of
old school L.A. Punk. With
raunchy lyrics and thrash...

Descendents

The Descendents first
formed in 1979. Their
infectiously catchy pop
melodies helped lay the
foundation for pop-punk....

MDC

Minor Threat

In just three years, '80-'83,
D.C.'s Minor Threat laid
down the blueprint for
hardcore DIY punk. The
band's first gig was openi...

Rise Against

Chicago-bred Rise Against
fuse the fury of classic
hardcore punk with a new
sense of melody and
phrasing. The band was f...

Teen Idles

A critically important band
in early Hardcore, the Teen
Idles gave rise to Dischord
Records and later, to Minor
Threat. The Teen Idles fe...

Electronics

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