31 80s Punk Bands

The punk music you know and love today has roots that date back to the 1980s (and beyond). Where the 90s punk movement saw more of a pop influence, 80s punk was usually quite raw in comparison.

Any punk fan would do well to trace the roots of punk for themselves to understand the genre’s lineage. The following groups are some of the most well-known 80s punk bands to have withstood the tests of time.

X

X is a punk band that was based out of the Los Angeles scene. Out of all the groups of the decade, X is considered one of the most successful 80s punk bands. 

The group is most notable for being the musical home to the female powerhouse, Exene Cervenka. Their first 2 albums have gone on to receive widespread critical acclaim as some of the best ever recorded.

Black Flag

Ever wonder where Henry Rollins made a name for himself to become the cultural icon he is today? While Black Flag had existed a few years prior, it was Henry’s involvement that made the band truly iconic. 

Many words have been said about Black Flag over the years. To sum it up, Black Flag is one of the most important bands of all time.

Bad Brains

Bad Brains is another group that is among the famous and recognizable punk bands of the 1980s. The group was based in Washington, D.C., and brought a unique blending of genres to the city’s scene. 

At the time, D.C. had some of the most aggressive punk rock in the world. Bad Brains set themselves apart by offering a signature sound that no other band of the time had.

Zero Boys

Midwest USA isn’t typically known for punk music in the 1980s (though it would become known for emo-based genres). Zero Boys emerged from the Hoosier State of Indiana to prove that those living among corn fields have musical contributions.

The band has had a small smattering of releases over the years, with the most recent being in 2014. Paul Mahern and Mark Cutsinger have been consistent members, with a number of people rotating in the lineup throughout time.

Dead Kennedys

Dead Kennedys are one of the most well-known punk bands to ever exist, largely thanks to vocalist, Jello Biafra. The band came together in the late 70s, eventually becoming one of the leading banner-waving punk bands in the world.

Many of their early works received critical success, despite maybe being a bit blunt for mainstream audiences. Their music remains some of the most influential amongst bands of the past, as well as those still forming. 

Misfits

Misfits have perhaps some of the most signature logos in all of music. It’s not all that uncommon to see someone sport a Misfits shirt, even if they aren’t actually fans.

The band came around in the 1970s and has since remained a cultural enigma to the present day. They were also one of the first to blend horror and punk in a successful manner. 

Adolescents

California was truly a hotbed for punk music in the 1980s, with the Adolescents being one of its emerging bands. Their self-titled debut album remains one of the most important underground punk releases of all time. 

The 1990s saw the group disbanded, but the 2000s have seen the group more productive than ever. However, in 2022, the only remaining original member is the vocalist, Tony Reflex.

Toy Dolls

Any casual punk fan knows that there are different types of punk music within its encompassing genre title. Many of the groups of the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s tended to be quite extreme. 

But, bands like Toy Dolls showed that punk rockers could be total goofballs at the same time. In fact, a nonchalant and goofy attitude could be more aesthetically punk than being overtly militant. 

The Exploited

The Exploited came from Scotland and quickly gained a worldwide presence and importance in punk communities. Their music is notably more aggressive and raw than much of what was happening at the time. 

It’s a safe bet that many of the punk groups you listen to today have been influenced by The Exploited. The entire decade of the 1980s saw the group on a musical warpath, with echoes still being heard today. 

Agent Orange

Agent Orange is another group to emerge from California in the 1980s. This trio had more of a power-rock sound, at times emulating 60s surf music, while sounding like punk Black Sabbath.

If you want to get a taste of surf punk, check out the song, Bloodstains. You’ll notice a Dick Dale influence during the guitar solo with that uncanny exotic surf guitar sound.

Gang Green

Some bands are pioneers in genres, though they are often overshadowed by the successes of those influenced by them. However, you’ll often hear those successful bands give props to these somewhat unknown pioneers. 

Gang Green is considered at least partly responsible for incorporating speed and thrash into punk music. Despite being active for over 40 years, the band still isn’t as recognized as other groups on this list. 

The Cramps

The Cramps were one of the many bands that made a name for themselves by being frequent performers at CBGB. When 1980 rolled around, The Cramps released their first album to respectable success. 

This eventually saw The Cramps being one of the first punk bands to embrace personalities within the stage show. Both Poison Ivy Rorschach and Lux Interior have distinguishable identities on the stage.

Operation Ivy

Some bands exist forever and accomplish small things, while some bands are together for a short period but are meteoric. Operation Ivy only released 1 album and it forever changed how punk music would be made. 

This group is essentially the predecessor to the famous punk group, Rancid. There aren’t many punk bands beyond 1989 that Operation Ivy doesn’t influence in some way.

Minor Threat

Minor Threat is another very recognizable name resonating in the hall of achievements throughout punk history. This Washington, D.C. band is one of the most important and groundbreaking groups to ever play music. 

Though they didn’t have many releases, Minor Threat’s music would touch every hardcore band’s sound with inspiration. Ian MacKaye would make a name for himself as one of the best punk vocalists of all time. 

Minutemen

The Minutemen were another group that was short-lived but extremely influential in punk music beyond the 1980s. This is another California-based group, which was unfortunately cut short by the death of D. Boon in an accident. 

Nevertheless, the Minutemen continue to be one of the most talked about groups in punk circles. The band is also the subject of the 2005 hit documentary, We Jam Econo. 

Anti-Pasti

Anti-Pasti was an English punk band that received respectable success in the early 1980s. Their debut album actually managed to stay on the charts for 7 weeks, a major feat for any punk band.

The 1980s saw Anti-Pasti only release 2 albums along with a sizable score of EPs and singles. Anti-Pasti has also reunited multiple times over the years, even releasing a studio album in 2016.

Peter And The Test Tube Babies

Out of any band name, Peter And The Test Tube Babies has to be one of the most creative. With a humorous name like that, you’d almost expect something of the hilarious type.

This UK group was exactly that, joining forces with other groups to show that punk could be funny, too. While they might not be worldwide icons, Peter And The Test Tube Babies have remained impressively active and consistent.

Circle Jerks

Though they have a goofy and suggestive name, the Circle Jerks are one of the most important punk bands ever. Their 1980 debut album set the standard to which the rest of the decade’s punk music would be measured.

Circle Jerks were also one of the first true punk bands to be recognized in mainstream media. The band was commissioned for film work, providing music to a number of films over the years. 

Suicidal Tendencies

Suicidal Tendencies has almost been a school for musicians over the years. A number of famous musicians held time in the lineup, including Thundercat, and Robert Trujillo

This band is known for having an element of thrash to their brand of punk. Of course, they weren’t unknown to throw a little bit of funk into the mix for good measure, either.

The Gun Club

The Gun Club was a bit of an oddity as the group was too unique for its surrounding music scenes. Nevertheless, The Gun Club is most closely associated with the punk scene.

If you’ve ever wondered what the blues would sound like mixed with punk, you’ve found it. The Gun Club is definitely a unique band, though their music has influenced some great musicians, including Jack White. 

Subhumans

The legacy and influence of bands like The Sex Pistols can be seen in the 1980s with groups like Subhumans. This UK group carried on the tradition of anarchist lyrics and hardcore musicality to sizable success.

It should be noted that Canada also had a punk band called Subhumans throughout the 1980s. This could be especially confusing as the Canadian band was also moderately successful.

The Dead Milkmen

The Dead Milkmen have a name that, once you see it, you’ll always remember it. And, with a name like that, this Philadelphia-based group definitely made waves in the hardcore punk scene. 

They even landed a song into regular music video play on MTV at the height of the channel’s early success. Jim Walewander, an MLB player, was also a very notable fan, seemingly mentioning the group any chance he could.

Flipper

With a name like Flipper, you might expect something buoyant and bouncy, reminiscent of the similarly-named dolphin. However, Flipper is actually one of the heaviest punk bands of the 1980s, eventually signing to Rick Rubin’s label.

Some consider Flipper to be one of the founding fathers of noise rock and sludge. Their music has certainly influenced prominent bands within those respective genres and beyond.

Reagan Youth

Reagan Youth was another New York City punk band that rose to prominence by playing at CBGB. Members of the group had actually attended the same high school as members of The Ramones. 

In some ways, Reagan Youth pioneered sounds that no other punk band was exploring at the time. The band continues to perform in 2022, though only 2 of its members are original.

Descendents

Another band with some very signature iconography is the Descendents, which has a mascot named Milo. This mascot has found its way into many subsets of popular culture, continually leading new fans to the band.

The band made a name for themselves in the 1970s and 1980s, though they have remained popular ever since. Some consider their 90s releases to be some of the best work they ever did. 

The Clash

Some would gather a lynch mob if they knew that The Clash was listed in an article covering 80s punk. Though The Clash made waves in punk rock in the 1970s, the 1980s saw something slightly different. 

You might say the band sold out for commercial success, but The Clash did have some membership changes. It’s only natural that, with personality changes, so too, would the music change slightly. 

Mission Of Burma

With a career spanning just beyond 40 years, Mission Of Burma was one of the most enduring punk bands ever. It’s safe to say that, during that period, the group would influence some of the biggest bands in history. 

Mission Of Burma had a small number of releases during the 1980s, with the 2000s seeing an increase. The band even has its own dedicated holiday in the city of Boston, with annual celebrations taking place at MIT. 

Dirty Rotten Imbeciles

While most of the popular 80s punk bands came from the coasts, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles was founded in Texas. They were one of the major pioneers of incorporating thrash into punk, influencing some of the biggest thrash punk bands.

The group has remained relatively active over the years, even reportedly recording new material for an album. However, it seems as if every Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album since 1995 has been stuck in production purgatory. 

Cro-Mags 

Cro-Mags are yet another New York City punk band that helped to make the hardcore sound “cool”. Their albums, The Age Of Quarrel, and, Best Wishes, remain important pieces of work for the punk genre.

Bassist Harley Flanagan has been the only consistent member throughout the years. Under his direction, Cro-Mags have remained very active, releasing an album as late as 2020. 

Bad Religion

With a name like Bad Religion, you’d almost expect to hear some lyrics that challenge the status quo. It’s partially what’s helped this Los Angeles punk band to remain relevant for over 40 years. 

Bad Religion has been insanely active since 1980, seemingly touring and recording non-stop. It seems, as every decade goes by, new generations find resonance and meaning in Bad Religion’s music. 

Gorilla Biscuits

Gorilla Biscuits is a band that formed out of love and passion for other punk bands. This New York City punk band established a name for themselves at the famous CBGB in the late 1980s. 

Gorilla Biscuits is still periodically performing, though their last official release was a 7-inch EP in 2006. Nevertheless, Gorilla Biscuits still has quite the underground cult following, something only typical in punk scenes.

Best 80s Punk Bands, Final Thoughts

In its recorded form, punk music of the 80s often sounds like it was recorded by novice high school students. But that is part of what made punk so infective, as people realized anyone could play punk.

In fact, this is the decade that spawned the DIY musician movement, as more people found success beyond record labels. A band didn’t need to have a major label contract if they had dedicated fans in their scene.

The 1980s were extremely influential in the joining of skateboard culture with the punk ethos. These are somewhat synonymous today, and you can still hear the influences in today’s modern punk groups.