The Sound of Early US Punk

“The Sound of Early US Punk” captures the raw energy and chaotic spirit of American punk from its late '70s and early '80s heyday. This playlist pulls in gritty cuts from coast to coast—whether it's the snarling attitude of California acts like the Germs, The Dils, and The Weirdos, or New York staples like the Dead Boys, Richard Hell, and the Ramones. It highlights the diversity within the genre, from the fast and confrontational “Don't Push Me Around” by The Zeros to the wild synth-punk of The Screamers’ “122 Hours of Fear.”

Unearthing lost gems and essential punk touchstones, these tracks showcase the anti-establishment vibes, DIY ethos, and raw sound that laid punk’s foundation. There’s shout-along anthems, fuzzed-out guitars, and enough outsider swagger to make it clear why this scene still resonates. Whether you’re revisiting punk’s roots or just getting into it, this mix offers a cross-section of bands that helped shape early US punk into something loud, fast, and defiantly weird.