Political Songs: Punk sprang up as a way for anyone to criticize the people “protecting and serving” us, calling them out on hypocrisy, lies, and selfishness. Social Messages: Think Americans are too lazy and need to wake up? Worried that the news is lying to us about war? What about disappearing jobs for working class people? The world around you is filled with injustices someone needs to shine a light on. Songs Fighting Authority: This authority might be your parents, a teacher, the PTA, or your boring suburban neighborhood. Punk songs assert your voice where no one else will listen to it. Character Songs: Punk has a long history of taking the perspective of those who can’t be heard on their own, where the singer’s “I” is someone very different from the actual singer. Who’s story do you believe needs to be told? Life Stories: Not all songs need huge, deep meanings. Just as many recount incredible concert experiences, a strange day in Olympia, WA, or the fact that “Jeff Don’t Wear Regular Shoes. "
“Kill the Poor” is an incredible example of “agreeing” with a horrible idea to show just how horrible it really is – Jello Biafra (singer/songwriter) is one of the punk’s master of satirical lyrics.
Using volume effectively: Every singer, no matter their talent, can use this trick. Much like a roller coaster, use your singing volume to create tension and excitement, slowing/quieting down to build suspense and then rising to a yell to drive home intense moments. Getting a little weird: From Jello Biafra through underground rapper Danny Brown, counter-culture singers aren’t afraid to try a strange or off-kilter voice to make a point. Learning to scream-sing: All of the intense, almost inhuman singing in punk and hardcore may seem like it will shred your vocal chords, but there are actually safe ways to practice this distinctive tone.
Check The Clash, specifically London Calling, for masterclasses in punk backing vocals. Even the Sex Pistols, with their famously bad singing, can be seen showing off solid background vocals in “Holidays in the Sun. "
Consider small sing-along or call and response sections to get people singing. Not every song needs to involve the audience – if you want a hard, fast, and barely intelligible chorus, go for it.
Most songwriters keep a dedicated notebook or phone note on them at all times – you never know when an idea will hit you. If you’re stuck and unsure just want to write, simply start freewriting. It doesn’t even have to rhyme. You’ll be surprised how, eventually, a song idea crops up.
A-Chord | G-Chord | D-Chord | |e|—-x—–|——x——|—–x——| |B|—-x—-|——x——|—–x——| |G|—-x—-|——x——|—–7——| |D|—-7—-|——5——|—–7——| |A|—-7—-|——5——|—–5——| |E|—-5—-|——3——|—–x——|
A-Chord | G-Chord | D-Chord | |e|—-x—–|——x——|—–x——| |B|—-x—-|——x——|—–x——| |G|—-x—-|——x——|—–7——| |D|—-7—-|——5——|—–7——| |A|—-7—-|——5——|—–5——| |E|—-5—-|——3——|—–x——|
Start learning songs you love to get an idea for different chord progressions. Tweak, chop, and screw these patterns to start making your own songs.
Change up the mood or feel from the verse somehow – get more intense, more melodic, faster/slower – anything to differentiate the section from the verse. Try adding a 1-2 bar “bridge” into the chorus – often a few different chords or a small solo line that signals the transition.
Listen to any punk band with two guitarists or more for examples of lead lines – there are very few bands that stick to nothing but power chords for every single song. [2] X Research source
One of the most common palm muting tricks is to slowly raise your palm as you strum a chord, slowly peeling off the palm mute to bring the guitar to full volume. [3] X Research source
If you know a bit about guitar, you can usually use the pentatonic scales (both major and minor) for most punk solos. Whatever your soloing strategy, try to make every note count. Short and sweet is the name of the game
Reggae / Ska: Most punk bands have at least a few ska-tinged tunes, but check out RX Bandits, Operation Ivy, and No Doubt. Pop: Pop-punk is the most common subgenre of pop, with everyone from Blink-182 to Green Day showing that slightly more catchy tunes with punk instruments are big sellers. Alt-Country: It sounds completely anti-punk, but Social Distortion, Lucero, and Uncle Tupelo all bring some deep south sound to their songs Swing/Rockabilly: The Dead Kennedys might have kicked it off with “Viva Las Vegas,” but The Misfits and Cobra Skulls are keeping it alive.
Rancid’s “Olympia, WA” is a good example of straight 16th notes carrying the song through. Remember that, above all, energy is key to great punk. Really drive into the groove of the song and hit those notes in time with the guitarists for irresistibly high-tempo punk.
Try moving the same bass riff with each chord. For example, you might play the three notes in the first power chord before the chord shifts. Instead of making up a new riff, play the same exact “shape” of notes, just starting it on the new power chord this time.
While not a punk song, the guitar and bassline from the Stray Cats’ “Rock This Town” is a good, simple way to see how a moving bassline can keep a song moving. You want, at a minimum, one bass note per chord change. Check out “Maxwell Murder,” which also features a blistering bass solo, for a good punk example of a moving bass line.
You want some of the thickest picks you can find, as thin picks will get bullied around by thick bass strings.
The bass is the linkage between the melody of the guitar and the rhythm of the drums. You want to sit between the two of them without overpowering either of them. When things are hectic, provide a simple bass “base” for the listener to grab a hold of. When the drums are locked in together you might get a little dirty or experimental with your bass lines. [5] X Research source
Push the band’s tempo as high as you can without completely losing cohesion. The drummer is the entire band’s metronome, and they will naturally follow your lead when setting the tempo. Practicing with a metronome may not feel very punk, but it is an essential way to improve speed without wildly throwing your band off time. [6] X Research source
Eventually, turn the kick drum or snare into two hits per beat. Throw a tom hit in place of a snare (or along with a snare hit). This pattern is merely a dropping off point for any beat you could imagine creating. [7] X Research source
Listen to your favorite drum fills with a closer ear. While most of them sound big and flashy, they’re likely playing fewer notes than you think.
Only playing the kick drum. The deep, booming bass naturally creates a dark, intense feel. Slow drum rolls, starting from near silence and rising to a deafening roar of drums (see “All the Small Things” by Blink 18). Using the cymbals/kick drum to keep time, puncturing the quiet every 4 beats with a snap of the snare or toms (see The Offspring “Americana”).
