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  • 6 months ago
Punk isn’t dead — it’s louder, faster, and more diverse than ever. In this countdown, we highlight the Top 10 Modern Punk Bands keeping the spirit alive in today’s music scene. From underground favorites to breakout stars, these bands are pushing punk into a whole new era.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the genre, this list proves that punk’s rebellious heart still beats strong.

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Transcript
00:00I'd rather bite my nose off, just by my face.
00:08Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most noteworthy bands
00:13who are keeping the 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.
00:41La Dispute has been active since 2004 and is known for their experimental style.
00:46Rather 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
01:07style delivery.
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.
01:19It's the best of both worlds.
01:209.
01:29L.S.
01:30Dudes
01:31When some of the best punk rockers come together, history is created.
01:35Sayosin's Anthony Green, MCR legend Frank Ayero, Coed and Cambria's Travis Stever, and Tim
01:47Payne and Tucker Rule from Thursday formed Ellis 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.
02:01No wonder the band has proven so successful.
02:11They've been busy touring, and their second studio album, Violet's, reached number 3 on
02:16the UK rock and metal albums chart.
02:18Clearly, fans can't get enough.
02:198.
02:22Pink Shift
02:24This band rose to fame the Gen Z way.
02:30They went viral on social media for their song, I'm Gonna Tell My Therapist On You, earning
02:35a cosign from punk outfit Anti-Flag.
02:37Their 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.
02:539.
02:54I feel so goddamn numb
02:58Fronted 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
03:10artists like Pussy Riot and the Linda Lindas on tour.
03:13We can't wait to see what they have in store for us next.
03:167.
03:25The Chisel
03:28The UK punk scene is a vibrant world and definitely 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.
03:567.
03:57You're a bald sucker
03:58You're a bald sucker
03:59You're a bald sucker
04:03However, don't let the upbeat hooks fool you.
04:06The socially conscious lyrics reveal the dark underbelly of society and are unapologetically
04:12anti-establishment.
04:13With their extraordinary potential, The Chisel is destined for greatness.
04:186.
04:23PUP
04:25If 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.
04:34We beers are so messed up!
04:35Get drunk and I can't shut up!
04:366.
04:37She doesn't drink too much!
04:41As you can probably tell, these are punk rockers with a sense of humor, and that often
04:46translates into their music.
04:487.
04:49Hailing from Canada and widely celebrated there, PUP serves up self-aware existential dread
04:54that hits too close to home at times.
04:57But then they laugh about it.
04:587.
04:59And I'm sickin' tired of blockin' out on my carpet and wakin' up, oh boy, you'll know
05:04I'll blow you out!
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 stanning PUP is genuinely fun.
05:225.
05:26The Chats
05:31This deliciously irreverent Australian band calls their sonic aesthetic, Shed Rock.
05:37On 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
06:04Feed.
06:05All I want and all I need, all I crave is a good pub feed.
06:09For 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.
06:264.
06:33Turnstyle
06:34This Grammy-nominated band from Baltimore, Maryland is best described as hardcore punk
06:39with a pop sheen textured with shoegaze and driven by an alt-rock energy.
06:44In other words, they're constantly evolving, while many punk bands throw their fists up
06:53in the air and rage against the system.
06:57Turnstyle looks inward, so you're usually left with feeling more than you bargained for
07:01with their songs.
07:025.
07:09Crowds 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 Turnstyle a wide fanbase because there's something for everyone
07:21in their discography.
07:263.
07:28Amel and the Sniffers
07:30They're one of the biggest names in the modern punk scene right now, representing Australia
07:34on the world stage.
07:36And they were down and over saying it should not be doin' 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 beloved
07:51for their outspoken politics.
07:53Hey, when you get down, ooh, you're a lit one.
07:58Always been a big star, never been a dumb one.
08:02Whether it be advocating for feminism and protecting their audience from predatory behavior during
08:07shows, or denouncing systemic oppression through their lyrics, the group doesn't shy away from
08:12taking a stand.
08:14Reckless and unfiltered, Amel and the Sniffers is not for the faint of heart.
08:192.
08:24Fontaine's DC
08:27We're taking you all the way to Dublin for this one.
08:29I'll punish your business if it's momentary business, ooh.
08:34Formed by a group of poets turned punkers, Fontaine's DC is an award-winning band.
08:39There's a certain cerebral depth to this group that sets them apart from the rest.
08:44Their gritty, post-punk sound, Grian Chatton's world-weary but compelling vocals, and the hauntingly
08:50bleak lyrics hit hard.
08:52B-b-b-baby I swear it I wanted to call, but on my way around I happened to fall.
09:00The cinematic visuals of their music videos are carried over to their concerts, making their
09:04shows feel grand and immersive.
09:06Put it simply, Fontaine's DC is an experience, and you don't want to miss it.
09:091.
09:10Idols
09:14These chart-topping hitmakers from Bristol, England are the face of modern punk.
09:191.
09:20Idols
09:21These chart-topping hitmakers from Bristol, England are the face of modern punk.
09:26They probably wouldn't like this title, though.
09:27After all, they don't consider themselves punk, even though everyone else does.
09:29However, that very important thing is that you don't want to miss it.
09:30If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
09:351.
09:36Idols
09:37These chart-topping hitmakers from Bristol, England are the face of modern punk.
09:41They probably wouldn't like this title, though.
09:50After 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.
10:00Idols' music has soul and sociopolitical discourse.
10:04And neither of those is presented in pretty packaging.
10:07Their songs are raw, vulnerable, and even violent in the imagery they evoke at times,
10:18reflecting the reality of the world we live in.
10:21That said, there's also hope and love bursting through the cracks.
10:25If all this wasn't impressive enough, they're also electrifying live performers.
10:30With multiple Grammy nods under their belt, Idols truly is the future.
10:34Who is your go-to punk band when you're feeling rebellious?
10:46Share your recommendations with us in the comments section.
10:49Yeah, we don't try too hard.
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