Punk
Origins
Punk first emerged in the mid-70s as a ‘rebellion’ against the popular prog and heavy rock music at the time. It was a celebration of the DIY ethos, and the idea that anyone could make music without having to be musically/technically accomplished.
Musical Fingerprints
Instrumentation: Vocals (harsh), electric guitar, bass and drums.
Harmony: Very simple chord sequences, usually only 3 chords.
Lyrical Content: The popularity of punk coincided with the social unrest in the UK in the 1970s, so lyrics are often about rebellion against the government.
Structure: Simple verse-chorus structure.
Melody: Solos uncommon/short. Simple sung melodies.
Technological Fingerprints
DIY/raw feel (unprocessed)
Distortion on electric guitars.
Bands used small, independent studios.
Artists
Sex Pistols, The Clash, Green Day, Nirvana.