What do you consider 'punk music'?
 

Okay okay, so maybe Good Charlotte isn't punk. But for all you punk people out there, what defines punk music? The image I draw in my mind is either a unruly kid from the 80's with more metal on him than a hardware store, or more so an English 'punk' along the same lines. Would Blink 182 be classified as punk?

Most hardcore punks hate blink, and don't consider them near punk. The general poublic does tho.
To me punk music is fast, loud, and maybe offensive. ;) Listen to a band like NOFX, Anti-flag, or something to that extent.

oh, and a lot of it carries a serious message, often politically oriented.
The punk bands are usually totally saying what they want, and aren't afraid of what people wil think. Its not about being popular to them, or selling records/making money.

Isn't that what most bands do now a'days no matter the genre to get out there and become famous?

Not all of them. a lot of bands sing about parties, love, girls, growing up, that kinda stuff...and then there's rap...(or, i should say the "sweet" mainstream rap)
Its like: Yo I got my bling an' ma bitchez an' ma hoez...chillin', illin' fo' shizzle ma nizzle in ma caddie. Check it. Im out. Smoke weed.

I agree, quite a bit of mainstream rap is just some rhymes with some sort of banging going on in the background.

What are some popular punk bands that you would recommend?

I don't know a ton of punk bands, but my favourite would have to be NOFX.

NOFX is a little poppier than most bands that fit under the 'punk' label. If you want to get a feel for what Punk is, I recommend Crass, the Cruci****s, the Dead Kennedys (you probably know them, though), the Circle Jerks, GG Allin, and Bikini Kill (creators of the riot grrrl scene). I also second Anti-Flag.

Xarius explained it pretty good. Here are some bands I like and consider punk Sex Pistols, Ramones, Misfits, Anti-Flag, Crass, G.G. Allin, Social Distortion, Vandals, Varukers, Conflict, Down By Law, Transplants, and there is like a billion more i know of. If i listed them all I might get in trouble for spam or something lol.. just kidding.

Yeah, I truly hate some punk bands that are just truly about "punking out" and figure if they get a mohawk and have some plugs that they are labeled punk. Little kids eat that stuff out. Thrice, rise against, nofx, anti-flag, are a couple i would check out. Ramones are more old school music but good none the less.

:( i still dont know exactly how to class bands as punk... i thot the offspring werre but i was put right :(

Punk isn't just a type of music (and blink 182 isn't it) but more like a lifestyle. It's being clear on what you believe in and standing up for it. It means doing things yourself (diy) and not caring what others are going to say about. The greatest representation of this in music I think is nofx. Not because of the genre they play, but more because of the attitude they take towards what they sing about and the energy they use to convey that message. Nofx really doesn't care if you like their cds or not. They are more concerned with getting what they want to say out there, and not really caring if you care. That to me is punk rock.

No no no, it's not that it's "not just a type of music, it's a lifestyle" - there's Punk the music and Punk the lifestyle - two different things. I stopped being Punk-the-lifestyle awhile ago, but I still like the music. Thus, I am not Punk-the-lifestyle, but I do enjoy Punk-the-music.

thats the way I am...except for I never really was punk-the-lifestyle. I just like some of the music.

Yeah, i definitly agree with you that the music and the lifestyle are totally different things. I was just trying to point out to one of the earier post what the original idea of the whole punk movement was. Back when the bands played and lived punk rock...ex: Reagan Youth, Public Enemy, Anti-Flag, NOFX. And i'm also with you that I don't live the punk lifestyle, but do enjoy the music. Just wanted to clear that all up.

aaaaaahh so thats wot punk is lol :) thanks :)

I agree with the above. Some things anger me though, alot of people that listen to punk nowadays dont know what the heck is going on in politics and alot of punk is politically oriented. I dont get it... Maybe someone could inform me.

Banonbush i agree with you, and I love NOFX. The thing is if u listen to their lyrics, most of the time it sounds stupid, but if u take the timeto listen carefully, u'll understand the meaning. Also, lots of people think punk lyrics are just crap, but this couldn't be further from the truth (in MOST cases). Take "the bag" for example:
"Endless evenings of non-exist
Are getting shorter, monotonous
Like an intruder, I belong outside
Although I find myself right back
The same place I was before
Saying things I'd say once more
There's no reason for me to be here, no
I feel so lonesome, surrounded by friends
Who are talking about me, saying things I could care less about
This dialogue is without
Worth, content, significance"
My point is, that I believe that NOFX just awesome.LOL
No really, and also that punk lyrics are usually pretty intelligent thoughts.

Crap.