Genre story · Punk
Skate Punk
Fast punk shaped by skateboarding communities, then carried worldwide through melodic hardcore and independent labels.
Skate punk's early history lies in the crossover between American hardcore and skateboarding during the 1980s. JFA, Big Boys and parts of the Southern California punk underground brought music to a scene organized through skate videos, local shows and zines. The term broadened during the late 1980s and 1990s as Bad Religion, NOFX, Lagwagon and other bands put clearer guitar melodies and choruses into rapid songs. Not all these musicians played identical music, and being associated with skateboarding does not automatically classify a band. Brisk drums, tightly organized guitar parts and short, memorable choruses became especially prominent in the melodic strand. The scene relationship should remain visible alongside its musical characteristics.
Listening examples
- 1983JFAValley of the Yakes
- 1988Bad ReligionSuffer
- 1995LagwagonHoss