History of Hardcore Punk
See;
Alternative rock -
Grunge - Emo
Hardcore punk or hardcore /
hXc is a offshoot of punk rock that originated in the USA in the late ‘70s and
early ‘80s. It was created as some groups reformed or changed directions towards
harder, faster, and more energetic punk music. Hardcore evolved in different
regional subcultures in California, NYC, Chicago, Vancouver, Boston and DC.
Vancouver based band DOA made the term hardcore widely known with their hardcore
’81 album release although it did not become the genre defining term until later
that decade. The genre was
loosely
defined and included many speeds, tempos and styles. Like 70’s style punk most
hardcore bands used the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to recording and
distribution.
Several bands from the time
deserve particular notice. Hardcore bands like Black Flag, Bad Brains, the
Misfits, Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, the Germs, Suicidal Tendencies, the Dicks,
and Minor Threat were particularly influential in their respected areas and
gained a wider audience.
Black Flag helped define the
Los Angeles hardcore punk community and had a huge impact on the punk movement.
They were tireless promoters and though their DIY style promotions they were
able to tour the US and bring hardcore punk to many areas that hadn’t heard it
before.
Bad Brains were from the
Washington, DC hardcore punk scene and they combined diverse musical influences
with lightning fast tempos. With influences as diverse as reggae, funk, jazz and
early heavy metal they fused punk with these influences and became one of the
originators of the ultra fast ultra loud hardcore movement.
Minor Threat were also from
DC and the originators of the strait edge movement which encouraged listeners to
avoid drugs, and live a pure “straight” life. They were formed out of the
remnants of the Teen Idles. Minor Threat were influenced by the speed and
energy
of hardcore punk band Bad Brains and like their fellow DC hardcore band they
played an fast and aggressive music. MacKaye and Nelson after leaving Teen Idles
founded Dischord Records to release their Minor Disturbance EP. The label was
instrumental to the bands success and eventually released EPs by many Washington
DC hardcore bands helping to solidify the movement and spread the word about
hardcore to other fans outside the area. Ian MacKaye went on to co-found Fugazi
a popular post-hardcore group.
The Germs’ self titled ‘79
LP was an early example of classic hardcore record. It was considered by some to
be one of the earliest examples of hardcore music. It features aggressive tempos
and chord changes.
San Francisco's Dead
Kennedys formed in ’78 and quickly became an influential force in the hardcore
movement of the area. They released their first single "California Über Alles"
in ’79 and In God We Trust, Inc. in ’81. Not initially a classic hardcore band
the Dead Kennedys were playing faster tempos by the time In God We Trust, Inc,
came out and became quite an influence on future bands.
The
Misfits were from New Jersey and were an early influence on the hardcore
movement. They grew out of the New York hardcore scene and combined horror and
hardcore thrash into their sets.
Many bands that were well
known in their respective areas never got outside notice due to a lack of
support by local record labels and the major labels that were focused on the MTV
set. Many of them were unable to record or did so in a limited way on Eps or
compilations. MTV put the hardcore band Kraut on limited rotation but most bands
could not get major radio play and were limited to some college radio stations
and other sourced for exposure.
Like the original punk
movement hardcore was associated by most outsiders with drug abuse and violence.
Police began to regularly break up concerts and many violent outbursts were a
result of the police oppression of the movement. Hardcore punk is synonymous
with slam dancing and stage diving and was made more prominent by several
portrayals of it in popular culture. These sometimes unfair portrayals
perpetuated the myth that all hardcore punk fans were violent.
In the ‘90s, hardcore
branched off into different genres. Many hardcore bands began experimenting with
other styles and were a great influence on alternative rock, grunge, thrash
metal, metalcore, speed metal and many other genres.
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