Though the concept of punk music dates back to the 70’s, it still has a firm grip on many audiences and music fans. With time many punk rock bands have evolved but only handful of them can be appreciated as the best punk rock bands. Their roaring guitar, loud music and appealing lyrics with different themes have left fans awestruck. All the punk rock numbers are generally shorter than mainstream songs and deals with topics such as social angst and alienation. Here we will discuss about few of the best punk rock bands that have been produced during the decades.

Get to know about the best punk rock bands from the list of top ten best punk rock bands.

Cited as one of the first punk rock band, The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City’s neighborhood, Queens in 1974. The group helped invent punk rock by mastering a simple but extremely effective sound — a combination of speedy grooves, sing-along tunes and deadpan lyrics. They performed 2,263 concerts, touring virtually nonstop for 22 years. In 2002, the Ramones were ranked the second-greatest band of all time by Spin magazine and in 2011 the group was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Formed in London in 1975, Sex Pistols was responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians. Though the band survived for only two and a half years, four singles and one studio album including the “Never Ming the Bollocks” and “Here’s the Sex Pistol” were some of the most influential acts in the history of popular music.

As part of the original wave of British punk, The Clash is regarded as one of the top 10 best punk rock bands. The Clash achieved commercial success in the United Kingdom with the release of their debut album, The Clash, in 1977 and their third album, London Calling brought them popularity in the United States. The Clash is universally praised as one of punk’s most important bands and for being broad-minded and talented enough to incorporate influences from other genres, including reggae and folk.

Dead Kennedys were one of the most popular and important American hardcore punk bands of the 1980′s, and in their nine year history stirred up a good deal of controversy through their overtly political songs and actions. They swept the nation with their music, and with their songs like Holiday in Cambodia and Kill the Poor. Dead Kennedys also broke records when they hit the scene in 1979 with their 7” single, “California Uber Alles.”

Although their music flirted with heavy metal and experimental noise and jazz more than that of most hardcore bands, Black Flag was an intense punk rock band from America formed way back in 1976. With the creation of their music, they were also the innovators in the first wave of American West Coast punk rock and are considered a major effect on punk subculture in the United States and abroad. After breaking up in 1986, Black Flag briefly reunited in 2003 and again in 2013.

Out of all of the Southern Californian hardcore punk bands of the early ’80s, Bad Religion has a name for being the best with the extensive use of soaring 3-part vocal harmonies, guitar solos and intellectual lyrics that often contain political or religious commentary. Though the band’s lineup has changed several times during their performances, their lyrics often relate to matters of social responsibility. While “True North” is the band’s latest number released on 22^nd January, 2013; “Stranger than Fiction” is their biggest hit.

Popular for more than three decades, Social Distortion is a mix of potent power that appeals to all age brackets offering genuinely satisfying numbers. The 1978 California based band has sold more than three million albums worldwide. Their blazing guitars and a locomotive rhythm section sound as alive today as they did in ’82 with their hard-luck tales of love, loss and lessons learned. Most of Social Distortion’s songs are written and sung by Mike Ness with the theme of impulsiveness, its consequences and the struggle for maturity.

Setting the style for the straight-edge punk movement, of the early ’80s, Minor Threat originated in Washington in 1980. Though the band could not get through for long, it did not cease to influence the hardcore punk scene. Through their songs, the group rejected drugs and alcohol, espoused anti-establishment politics, and led a call for self-awareness. Every song was fast, sharp, and lethal, often clocking in at just around a minute. Their records and concerts also helped spawn straight-edge, an American punk lifestyle based on the group’s intense, clean-living ideology.

With the growing importance of horror punk and its artwork becoming iconic, Misfits original incarnation took in Lodi, New Jersey when vocalist Glenn Danzig teamed up with Manny Martinez – Drummer, Jimmy Battle €œGuitar and Dianne DiPiazza €œ bass. During late ‘œ78/’79 the Misfits fan base started growing and it was named as “Fiends”. They also had a fan club by the name “Fiend Club”. The trademark dark eye makeup and the devil lock hair inspired many then as well as now.

Originally formed as a jazz fusion ensemble under the name Mind Power, Bad Brains developed a very fast and intense punk rock sound, which was both musically complex, and was often played faster and more ardently than the music of many of their peers. The band broke up and reformed several times over the years and has released nine studio albums till yet. They are one of the great 1970s punk bands who have evolved with time and have stated covering everything from soul to reggae to heavy metal.