Top 10 Modern Punk Bands

WatchMojo

Crank up the volume and embrace the rebellion! Join us as we countdown the bands keeping punk's spirit alive in the modern era. From spoken-word philosophical lyrics to viral social media sensations, these groups prove punk isn't dead—it's evolving and thriving with fresh energy, political consciousness, and innovative sounds that bridge hardcore, post-punk, and beyond.

Transcript

00:00I'd rather buy my nose up, just buy my face.

00:07Welcome to WatchMojo!

00:09And today, we're counting down our picks for the most noteworthy bands who are keeping

00:13the spirit of punk alive.

00:16These are contemporary groups that were formed after 2010 or started gaining mainstream traction

00:22around that time.

00:2310.

00:30La Dispute

00:31If you want to be called an intellectual for your music taste, this is the band for you.

00:37La Dispute has been active since 2004 and is known for their experimental style.

00:45Rather than being restricted by genre labels, their music fuses various influences, such

00:51as hardcore punk with jazz, screamo, or blues.

01:02What makes this Grand Rapids, Michigan act stand out in the punk scene is their spoken-word-style

01:07delivery.

01:08The lyrics are philosophical and often inspired by the members' own lives.

01:12This lends a certain vulnerability to their songs, while the dynamic arrangement ensures

01:17you keep headbanging, it's the best of both worlds.

01:299.

01:30L.S.

01:31Dunes When some of the best punk rockers come together, history is created.

01:40Say-a-sins Anthony Green, MCR legend Frank Ayero, Coed and Cambria's Travis Steaver, and

01:46Tim Payne and Tucker Rule from Thursday formed L.S. Dunes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

01:52This inevitably brought up major 2000s nostalgia during a dark time, but it was also fresh enough

01:59to raise a new generation of emo kids.

02:09No wonder the band has proven so successful.

02:11They've been busy touring, and their second studio album, Violet's, reached number three

02:16on the UK Rock and Metal Albums chart.

02:18Clearly, fans can't get enough.

02:208.

02:21Pink Shift This band rose to fame the Gen Z way.

02:31They went viral on social media for their song, I'm Gonna Tell My Therapist On You, earning

02:35a co-sign from punk outfit Anti-Flag.

02:39Their pop-punk sound is anthemic and easy to get into, however, the band also boasts enough

02:49grunge and grit to convey the defiance of disaffected communities.

02:55I feel so goddamn numb.

02:59Fronted by Ishreda Kumar, Pink Shift's bold focus on cultural activism through their music

03:04resonates with fans, too.

03:05Although they're in the early stages of their career, the band has already supported artists

03:10like Pussy Riot and the Linda Lindas on tour.

03:13We can't wait to see what they have in store for us next.

03:16The Chisel The UK punk scene is a vibrant world and

03:31definitely deserves more global attention.

03:33The Chisel is one of many bands at its forefront.

03:41They tap into iconic subgenres like oi and street punk, giving a voice to the unheard struggles

03:48of young people.

03:49Their music is characterized by the full-throttle intensity of hardcore punk, as well as irresistible

03:55catchiness.

04:02However, don't let the upbeat hooks fool you.

04:07The socially conscious lyrics reveal the dark underbelly of society and are unapologetically

04:12anti-establishment.

04:14With their extraordinary potential, the Chisel is destined for greatness.

04:216.

04:22PUP

04:23If you thought this was too cute a name for a punk band, think again.

04:30PUP is short for pathetic use of potential.

04:336.

04:34PUP

04:35As you can probably tell, these are punk rockers with a sense of humor, and that often translates

04:47into their music.

04:48Hailing from Canada and widely celebrated there, PUP serves up self-aware existential dread that

04:54hits too close to home at times.

04:57But then they laugh about it.

05:05The vocals are passionate, and the instrumentation is explosive.

05:09However, none of that is meant to distract from the emotional core.

05:13Instead, they amplify its rawness in a cathartic way.

05:16Besides, the members are so endearingly chaotic that standing PUP is genuinely fun.

05:225.

05:30The Chats

05:31This deliciously irreverent Australian band calls their sonic aesthetic Shed Rock.

05:365.

05:41On some days, that means garage punk.

05:48On others, it's rock and roll.

05:50Either way, they're honoring the ethos of DIY punk by making music that's rough around

05:55the edges and would probably tick off your neighbors if played too loud.

05:59The Chats have also gone viral for their Australiana, especially through songs like Smoko and Pub

06:05Feed.

06:056.

06:06All I want and all I need, all I crave is a good pub feed.

06:10For the music video of the former, they had a budget of five whole dollars.

06:14Still, they managed to impress rock legends like Iggy Pop and Dave Grohl with it.

06:19Obviously, they're not trying to change the world by singing about smoke breaks, but sometimes,

06:24that's more punk than you'd think.

06:26I got struck by lightning, I can't see out of my eyes, struck by lightning.

06:324.

06:33Turnstile

06:34This Grammy-nominated band from Baltimore, Maryland, is best described as hardcore punk

06:38with a pop sheen textured with shoegaze and driven by an alt-rock energy.

06:44Too bright, too rich, too bright, too dark, I wanna celebrate!

06:49In other words, they're constantly evolving.

06:51While many punk bands throw their fists up in the air and rage against the system, Turnstile

06:57looks inward.

06:58So, you're usually left with feeling more than you bargained for with their songs.

07:02Never let your guard down, anywhere you go.

07:10Crowds go wild at their high-octane performances, but the band is also capable of making you cry

07:15in the club.

07:16This versatility has garnered Turnstile a wide fanbase because there's something for everyone

07:21in their discography.

07:22And now I'm seeing stars again!

07:27Number 3.

07:28Amel and the Sniffers

07:29They're one of the biggest names in the modern punk scene right now, representing Australia

07:34on the world stage.

07:35And they were telling over, saying you should not be doing that!

07:40Amel and the Sniffers, fronted by the exceptionally talented and fierce Amy Taylor, is a powerhouse

07:45of a band.

07:46They've built an unbeatable reputation for their rip-roaring concerts, but are also

07:51beloved for their outspoken politics.

07:54Hey, when you get down, ooh, you're a lit one.

07:58Always been a big star, never been a dumb one.

08:03Whether it be advocating for feminism and protecting their audience from predatory behavior during

08:08shows, or denouncing systemic oppression through their lyrics, the group doesn't shy away from

08:14taking a stand.

08:15Reckless and unfiltered, Amel and the Sniffers is not for the faint of heart.

08:19I'm not stopping my goal, I'll dance the Dutchies, my goal!

08:25Number 2.

08:26Fontaine's DC

08:28We're taking you all the way to Dublin for this one.

08:30I'll punish your business if it's momentary business, ooh!

08:35Formed by a group of poets turned punkers, Fontaine's DC is an award-winning band.

08:40There's a certain cerebral depth to this group that sets them apart from the rest.

08:45Their gritty, post-punk sound, Grian Chatton's world-weary but compelling vocals, and the hauntingly

08:51bleak lyrics hit hard.

09:01The cinematic visuals of their music videos are carried over to their concerts, making

09:05their shows feel grand and immersive.

09:07Put it simply, Fontaine's DC is an experience, and you don't want to miss it.

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09:33Number 1.

09:36Idols

09:37These chart-tapping hitmakers from Bristol, England are the face of modern punk.

09:42They probably wouldn't like this title, though.

09:51After all, they don't consider themselves punk, even though everyone else does.

09:55However, that very defiance, combined with the band's liberal politics, screams punk.

10:01Idols' music has soul and socio-political discourse, and neither of those is presented in pretty packaging.

10:08Their songs are raw, vulnerable, and even violent in the imagery they evoke at times, reflecting

10:19the reality of the world we live in.

10:22That said, there's also hope and love bursting through the cracks.

10:26If all this wasn't impressive enough, they're also electrifying live performers.

10:31With multiple Grammy nods under their belt, Idols truly is the future.

10:44Who is your go-to punk band when you're feeling rebellious?

10:47Share your recommendations with us in the comments section.

10:50Yeah, we don't try too hard.

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