Minor Threat- Straight Edge
From the EP Minor Threat (1981)
The first time I ever heard the term "Straight Edge" was from this song. When I learned it meant to abstain from drugs and alcohol, it didn't even occur to me that this was the same exact idea in this song (which came out the year I was born). I then learned that Ian MacKaye was credited as having invented the term. Though this is not a lifestyle I live, the song is pretty damn rocking.
Suicidal Tendencies- I Want More
From the album Suicidal Tendencies (1983)
A song that always made me think of being bored in my hometown. Pretty much every angry teenager can relate with this song. Musically the coolest part about this is song is that is a prime example of the changes in tempo and sound that Suicidal Tendencies usually like in one album but not as often in one song.
Social Distortion- All The Answers
From the album Mommy's Little Monster (1983)
Before Social Distortion was a punk/rockabilly outfit, they were a hardcore punk band from Orange County, CA. Mike Ness wrote this song about the kids that he hung with as a teenager and saw at his shows every night. The kids who were the misfits and didn't mind being that way.
Dead Kennedys-Police Truck
From the B Side of the single of "Holiday in Cambodia" (1980), also on the album Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death (1987)
A lovely quick melody about people getting drunk, driving into San Francisco, beating up the homeless and kidnapping prostitutes. Jello Biafra's vocals are unmistakable in this one. This was the first song I ever heard by the Dead Kennedys as it is the lead song on Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death. I struggled choosing this song over "To Drunk To Fuck" another lovely DK classic.
Misfits- Hybrid Moments
From the album Static Age (recorded in 1978 fully released in 1997)
Probably my favorite Misfits song ever. Its classic Danzig led Misfits. Distorted guitars with Danzig's almost Elvis-esque vocals singing of hiding scars, crying and something about creatures raping someones face yet, somehow almost keeps a semi romantic edge.
Adolescents- Kids of the Black Hole
From the album The Adolescents (1981)
The subjects of this song are a whole bunch kids in the OC punk scene and the black hole refers to Mike Ness's apartment where everyone would go to drink or just flop for a little. It was considered a place for homeless punk kids to go. This is by far the longest song on the list at nearly five and half minutes long (very long for a hardcore song). I had trouble choosing between this and "Amoeba."
Bad Brains- I Against I
From the album I Against I (1986)
Probably the most unlikely of all pioneers for any musical genre. They prefer not to be called hardcore (though every elements would tell you they are). They also, play tracks are undoubtedly reggae with songs about "Jah." In a genre of music that has often has been tied to white supremecy (this is a fair claim in some cases and with several bands is unfounded) here is a band of all African Americans teaching all the white kids how to do it and do it loud.
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