What is the best band in punk rock?

From the raw three-chord fury that ignited a generation to the hardcore outfits that took rebellion to its logical extreme, this list covers the full spectrum of punk's most essential acts. Vote for the band that captured the spirit of punk for you.

1. 1
   The Ramones

   American punk rock band formed in New York City in 1974, widely regarded as the first punk rock band and pioneers of the fast, stripped-down sound that defined the genre.
2. 2
   Sex Pistols

   English punk rock band formed in London in 1975, whose incendiary attitude and album Never Mind the Bollocks became the rallying cry of British punk.
3. 3
   The Clash

   English punk rock band formed in London in 1976, who expanded punk into reggae, ska, and rockabilly on iconic albums including London Calling.
4. 4
   Dead Kennedys

   American hardcore punk band from San Francisco formed in 1978, known for Jello Biafra's sardonic political lyrics and blistering albums like Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables.
5. 5
   Bad Brains

   American punk and hardcore band from Washington, D.C. formed in 1977, pioneering hardcore punk and reggae fusion with extraordinary musicianship and explosive energy.
6. 6
   Black Flag

   American hardcore punk band from Hermosa Beach, California formed in 1976, whose relentless work ethic and albums like Damaged defined American hardcore punk.
7. 7
   The Misfits

   American punk rock band from Lodi, New Jersey formed in 1977, blending horror film imagery with catchy punk rock hooks to create the horror punk subgenre.
8. 8
   Buzzcocks

   English punk rock band from Manchester formed in 1976, known for their fast, melodic pop-punk sound and romantic themes on singles like Ever Fallen in Love.
9. 9
   Bad Religion

   American punk rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1980, combining melodic punk with intellectually challenging political lyrics on influential albums like Suffer and No Control.
10. 10
    The Descendents

    American punk rock band from Manhattan Beach, California formed in 1977, pioneers of pop-punk and melodic hardcore with classic albums like Milo Goes to College.
11. 11
    Circle Jerks

    American hardcore punk band from Los Angeles formed in 1979 by Keith Morris after Black Flag, known for their blazing-fast songs and debut album Group Sex.
12. 12
    Fear

    American punk rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1977, known for their confrontational attitude and abrasive sound on debut album The Record.
13. 13
    Stiff Little Fingers

    Northern Irish punk rock band formed in Belfast in 1977, channeling the tensions of The Troubles into urgent political punk rock on albums like Inflammable Material.
14. 14
    The Stooges

    American proto-punk band from Ann Arbor, Michigan led by Iggy Pop, whose confrontational raw rock sound on albums like Fun House directly influenced the punk movement.
15. 15
    Wire

    English post-punk band formed in London in 1976, known for their minimalist and art-punk approach on albums like Pink Flag and Chairs Missing.
16. 16
    X

    American punk rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1977, blending punk energy with country and rockabilly influences on acclaimed albums like Los Angeles and Wild Gift.
17. 17
    The Damned

    English punk rock band formed in London in 1976, the first British punk band to release a single, known for evolving their sound into gothic rock on albums like Machine Gun Etiquette.