realmenhatelife
01-30-2012, 07:28 AM
So noone was happy with Fred's top 10 punk bands of the 90s list, and rightfully so. So I drafted one and will listen to arguments for changes. In Paulo/QT fashion there are more than 10 bands.
In making the list the only hard rule I had was that I'm only judging bands on 90s output, everything else is a mix of different factors. Punk and Hardcore bands only, no post punk/hardcore, indie, sludge, noise, hard rock etc.
1. Screeching Weasel: Top spot because they span the whole decade, didn’t make the same album over and over coughbadreligioncough, and probably have the most to do with classic 80s pop punk. Ben Weasel typifies the snotty front man. Of all the bands trying to be the Ramones SW is the best, but they were smart enough to try to be The Descendants too. My Brain Hurts is the album of the decade and would probably be in any honest top 10 punk records of all time. My Brain Hurts 1991, Ramones cover record 1992, Wiggle 1993, Anthem for a New Tomorrow 1993, How to Make Enemies and Irritate People 1994, Bark Like a Dog 1996, Television City Dream 1997, Emo 1999
2. Rancid: Lest you say I’m not a populist. Really excellent musicianship thanks especially to Matt Freeman. Totally understood that they were a band that existed after Op Ivy, and worked as a natural progression of what was totally iconoclastic in the late 80s to what typified the 90s. Three pretty classic records in a row, even more amazing when you realize they came out in three consecutive years. Sealed the deal with Journey to the end of the East Bay. Rancid 1993, Lets Go 1994, And Out Come the Wolves 1995, Life Wont Wait 1998.
3. Bouncing Souls: High energy and anthemic, important because coming out of the New Brunswick house show scene and steeped in the nearly tribal mentality of east coast hard core the band really conceived itself as punk kids who started a punk band. More relatable to young punks in the 90s who never lived in a pre punk world, and more likely sought the scene than were alienated into it. Maniacal Laughter is a top 5 90s punk records. Good, Bad Argyle 1994, Maniacal Laughter 1996, Bouncing Souls 1997, Hopeless Romantic 1999 plus EPs.
4. NoFX: I feel like in the 90s the west coast was really hitting for average Ichiro style. NoFX is a .315 band. Some great songs but way more good ones. Could get grating after awhile, and Fat Mike is really only funny when you’re 15. Punk in Drublic is another one of those top 10 90s punk records. Ribbed 1991, White Trash Two Heebs and a Bean 1992, Punk in Drublic 1994, Heavy Petting Zoo 1996, So Long and Thanks for all the shoes
5. Jawbreaker: Would be a lot higher on the list if they fit a little better into what was so popular in the 90s, or if we were talking about influence. Nearly doesn’t make the list as a post hardcore group, but they didn’t mess with their tempo enough. Great, heart wrenching records, gravelly vocals, and desperate lyrics. Every song is a premise to a wes Anderson movie. Shows the other side of the East Bay. Unfun 1990, Bivouac 1992, 24 Hour Revenge Therapy 1994, Dear You 1995
6. Sick of it All: Hardcore was turning a little stupid in the 90s, but the 80s were so massively good for hardcore they earned the break. I think you could only really call Refused ‘relevant’ in 90s hardcore, but only on Shape of Punk to Come, so they cant make the list. Sick of it All made really great hardcore that was kindof leftover from the late 80s, but the songs were more tempered and approachable, big catchy breakdowns and a sense of humor. H20 was more of a 90s hardcore act, but Sick of it All is just a better band. Just Look Around 1992, Scratch the Surface 1994, Built to Last 1997, Call to Arms 1999.
7. Discount: Higher up on my own personal list. The good kind of emo, really dynamic drumming and great vocals, through a pop punk filter. Really lasting influence on the 90s pop worship movement going on now. Using a female singer in the best ways you can, exploring vulnerability in nearly uncomfortable ways, more fantastic songwriting. Ataxia’s Alright Tonight 1996, Half Fiction 1997, many many EPs.
8. Bikini Kill: Another band I would probably put higher on a purely selfish list, new 90s feminism. They didn’t just play really abrasive music, some of the songs are really melodic and sweet.
9. Skankin Pickle: Fun ska fusion, great live, pop culture obsessed songwriting with a decent amount of range. Multiple male singers and a female so they could give you a lot of looks. Mighty Mighty Bosstones: sharing room with the other ska band, again fun and great live.
10. Plow United: Manically paced thrashing pop punk with bluegrass notes. I honestly would put Sean Rule with the best drummers of punk. Digger: another SE PA band that grabbed some national attention. More great pop punk pulling in some emo influences. That’s kindof what SE PA in the 90s sounded like.
My Also Rans were: Cub, J Church, H20, Pinhead Gunpowder and Zoinks!
In making the list the only hard rule I had was that I'm only judging bands on 90s output, everything else is a mix of different factors. Punk and Hardcore bands only, no post punk/hardcore, indie, sludge, noise, hard rock etc.
1. Screeching Weasel: Top spot because they span the whole decade, didn’t make the same album over and over coughbadreligioncough, and probably have the most to do with classic 80s pop punk. Ben Weasel typifies the snotty front man. Of all the bands trying to be the Ramones SW is the best, but they were smart enough to try to be The Descendants too. My Brain Hurts is the album of the decade and would probably be in any honest top 10 punk records of all time. My Brain Hurts 1991, Ramones cover record 1992, Wiggle 1993, Anthem for a New Tomorrow 1993, How to Make Enemies and Irritate People 1994, Bark Like a Dog 1996, Television City Dream 1997, Emo 1999
2. Rancid: Lest you say I’m not a populist. Really excellent musicianship thanks especially to Matt Freeman. Totally understood that they were a band that existed after Op Ivy, and worked as a natural progression of what was totally iconoclastic in the late 80s to what typified the 90s. Three pretty classic records in a row, even more amazing when you realize they came out in three consecutive years. Sealed the deal with Journey to the end of the East Bay. Rancid 1993, Lets Go 1994, And Out Come the Wolves 1995, Life Wont Wait 1998.
3. Bouncing Souls: High energy and anthemic, important because coming out of the New Brunswick house show scene and steeped in the nearly tribal mentality of east coast hard core the band really conceived itself as punk kids who started a punk band. More relatable to young punks in the 90s who never lived in a pre punk world, and more likely sought the scene than were alienated into it. Maniacal Laughter is a top 5 90s punk records. Good, Bad Argyle 1994, Maniacal Laughter 1996, Bouncing Souls 1997, Hopeless Romantic 1999 plus EPs.
4. NoFX: I feel like in the 90s the west coast was really hitting for average Ichiro style. NoFX is a .315 band. Some great songs but way more good ones. Could get grating after awhile, and Fat Mike is really only funny when you’re 15. Punk in Drublic is another one of those top 10 90s punk records. Ribbed 1991, White Trash Two Heebs and a Bean 1992, Punk in Drublic 1994, Heavy Petting Zoo 1996, So Long and Thanks for all the shoes
5. Jawbreaker: Would be a lot higher on the list if they fit a little better into what was so popular in the 90s, or if we were talking about influence. Nearly doesn’t make the list as a post hardcore group, but they didn’t mess with their tempo enough. Great, heart wrenching records, gravelly vocals, and desperate lyrics. Every song is a premise to a wes Anderson movie. Shows the other side of the East Bay. Unfun 1990, Bivouac 1992, 24 Hour Revenge Therapy 1994, Dear You 1995
6. Sick of it All: Hardcore was turning a little stupid in the 90s, but the 80s were so massively good for hardcore they earned the break. I think you could only really call Refused ‘relevant’ in 90s hardcore, but only on Shape of Punk to Come, so they cant make the list. Sick of it All made really great hardcore that was kindof leftover from the late 80s, but the songs were more tempered and approachable, big catchy breakdowns and a sense of humor. H20 was more of a 90s hardcore act, but Sick of it All is just a better band. Just Look Around 1992, Scratch the Surface 1994, Built to Last 1997, Call to Arms 1999.
7. Discount: Higher up on my own personal list. The good kind of emo, really dynamic drumming and great vocals, through a pop punk filter. Really lasting influence on the 90s pop worship movement going on now. Using a female singer in the best ways you can, exploring vulnerability in nearly uncomfortable ways, more fantastic songwriting. Ataxia’s Alright Tonight 1996, Half Fiction 1997, many many EPs.
8. Bikini Kill: Another band I would probably put higher on a purely selfish list, new 90s feminism. They didn’t just play really abrasive music, some of the songs are really melodic and sweet.
9. Skankin Pickle: Fun ska fusion, great live, pop culture obsessed songwriting with a decent amount of range. Multiple male singers and a female so they could give you a lot of looks. Mighty Mighty Bosstones: sharing room with the other ska band, again fun and great live.
10. Plow United: Manically paced thrashing pop punk with bluegrass notes. I honestly would put Sean Rule with the best drummers of punk. Digger: another SE PA band that grabbed some national attention. More great pop punk pulling in some emo influences. That’s kindof what SE PA in the 90s sounded like.
My Also Rans were: Cub, J Church, H20, Pinhead Gunpowder and Zoinks!