Top 5…Hardcore Punk for Beginners

You guys must know by now my love of punk music, right? Pretty much every style and sub genre of it. From the seminal days of proto punk to the unyielding modern day post punk revivalism. But, if I had to guess I’d say that hardcore punk might be the most alienating and inaccessible for some? For anyone that is, of yet, uninitiated or doesn’t know where to start within the sub-genre, here are in my opinion 5 of the easiest and most essential starting points in hardcore/post hardcore punk. 

5. Hüsker Dü / Zen Arcade

1984 SST

This choice makes sense to me personally because Hüsker Dü are a trio that would go on to make more refined rock albums in their future. Rock albums with traces of their earlier sound. This is what their earlier sound was, blistering hardcore, with the occasional, palate cleansing interlude. 

4. Descendents / Milo Goes to College

1982 New Alliance

This is the shortest of the five albums represented here, clocking in at just a little over 20 minutes long, it could almost serve as a potential sample to the genre. It’s incorporation of pop punk will also make it an easier place to start. 

3. Minor Threat / Complete Discography

1989 Dischord

This Washington based band is one of the sub genre’s most essential and seminal groups of all. Personally, they were one of the first bands that I discovered in hardcore. Fast, raw and unpredictable tracks litter this compilation. Which is, as the title suggests, their entire discography. 

2. Minutemen / Double Nickels on the Dime

1984 SST

On the surface, this 45 track album may not seem like the most logical choice for a beginner but…it is. This is by far the most versatile on my list. This great trio seamlessly mix together tracks with influences from rock, folk, reggae, country and more. 

1. Black Flag / Damaged

1981 SST

The debut album from Henry Rollins and company was one of the first albums of its kind and the earliest on this list. Perhaps the most acclaimed and important of this top 5. Fast and furious punk tracks that constantly find a balance between intense angst and playful fun. 

Those were my choices. What would you add to the list? Thanks for checking this out. 

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