Crime

Crime was a pioneering punk rock band from San Francisco, known for being one of the first punk acts to emerge on the West Coast in the mid-1970s. Formed in 1976, Crime stood out with their raw, aggressive sound and a rebellious attitude that matched the energy of their music. They gained notoriety not only for their loud, stripped-down approach to rock and roll but also for wearing police uniforms on stage, a provocative and ironic statement that became part of their legend.

Although they never achieved mainstream success, Crime's influence on the punk and garage rock scenes was significant. Their early recordings, like “Hot Wire My Heart” and “Murder by Guitar,” captured a gritty, confrontational style that predated the punk explosion by several years. Albums such as San Francisco's Doomed and live recordings like San Francisco's First and Only Rock 'N' Roll Band: Live 1978 offer a glimpse into their raw, unfiltered performances. Over time, Crime's cult status only grew, earning them a lasting place in punk history.

Genres