Genre story · Punk
Instrumental Punk
Punk's speed and direct guitar language doing the work without a singer.
Instrumental Punk is a descriptive category rather than one scene with a single founding group. Punk musicians have recorded instrumentals throughout the genre's history, sometimes borrowing from surf rock, garage music or experimental guitar styles. A short guitar melody can replace a shouted chorus; an unusual rhythm can become the main attraction. Bands such as Man or Astro-man? developed high-energy instrumental guitar music closely related to punk audiences, though their core musical identity is often described as surf rock. The point is to help visitors find tracks in which punk's performance and writing remain audible without vocals, not to give a genre a new invented history.
Listening comparisons
- 1993Man or Astro-man?Is It... Man or Astro-man?
- 1988Shadowy Men on a Shadowy PlanetSavvy Show Stoppers
- 1960the VenturesWalk, Don't Run1960, pre-punk guitar precedent.