Trying to convince someone punk‘s not dead? Introducing your kids to the iconic genre? Here are three classic punk rock songs to get you started, featuring bands from the Bay Area, L.A., and Washington D.C. punk scenes of the 1980s.
Videos by American Songwriter
“California Über Alles” － Dead Kennedys
“California Über Alles” was Dead Kennedys’ debut single released in 1979. It preceded their first album Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, released in 1980. Written by Jello Biafra and John Greenway, and composed by Biafra in a rare turn on bass guitar, the song is an articulate yet scathing attack on Jerry Brown, Governor of California from 1975 to 1983. It features allusions to Nazi Germany, with the title referencing a line from the German national anthem often associated with Nazism. Additionally, there are references to the Shakespeare play Julius Caesar. This, in turn, inspired the Ingmar Bergman film The Serpent’s Egg, which is set in 1920s Berlin.
Upon its release, “California Über Alles” sparked confusion in the Bay Area punk scene; Brown was allegedly a liberal-leaning politician, at least in 1979 terms. Jello Biafra was known for his hard left views, but he also made it clear that no one was above satirization, be they right-wing or left.
“Voice of God is Government” － Bad Religion
“Voice of God is Government” was featured on Bad Religion’s debut album How Could Hell Be Any Worse? released in 1982. The entire album is punk rock gold. However, this track stands out for its commentary on organized religion and for highlighting the band’s early anti-evangelist leanings.
How Could Hell Be Any Worse? is Bad Religion at their most raw and unrefined. They would later polish their sound and style to a gleaming shine. Still, their debut offering laid the subtle brickwork for their much louder statements. As Zach de la Rocha once said of the album, “Throughout the record there was very little relief from the sad truths except one: ‘there are two things you can do … one is to turn and fight … the other’s to go headlong into the night.’”
“Waiting Room” － Fugazi
“Waiting Room” was first released on Fugazi’s debut self-titled EP. It was later released on the compilation album 13 Songs in 1989. As one of Fugazi’s most popular songs, it exists as a staple of their post-hardcore style, blending funk and hip-hop with punk.
Ian MacKaye wrote “Waiting Room” partially about his short-lived project Embrace, which lasted barely a year. It’s about waiting for the right people and circumstances to come along. Essentially, about “carefully getting one’s ducks in a row,” according to journalist Michael Azerrad. Additionally, “Waiting Room” set Fugazi apart from MacKaye’s other band.
“Within the first 15 seconds of [“Waiting Room”] you knew you didn’t need to compare it to Minor Threat anymore,” according to a 2014 op-ed from Alternative Press. “[That song] was an event that changed the meaning of everything that came before it.”
Featured Image by Anne Fishbein/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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