the specials

Features

How ska paved the way for punk… and took over the world along the way

by Tim Stegall

“We’re the Interrupters! We’re from Los Angeles, California!” the young guitarist announces over a fanfare, as the camera pulls back...

Features

1998’s top 15 punk albums simultaneously changed and preserved the form

by Tim Stegall

Top 15 punk albums of 1998? You’d be forgiven for thinking that there weren’t any in the year the Bill...

Features

Atiba Jefferson outlines his process behind the lens

by Josh Madden

Each month, AP Gallery takes a deep dive into visual culture. We explore music videos and photographs, as well as...

Features

How punk and reggae united and went “outernational” to rule the world

by Tim Stegall

This past March 5, the French punk label Guerilla Asso quietly slipped a genius album into the marketplace: Rocket To...

Features

15 artists who draw influence from the Clash’s dynamic punk spirit

by Tim Stegall

Some promo copywriter at the Clash’s American label, Epic Records, came up with the questionable slogan “19 songs by the...

Features

Chrissie Hynde sees protest anthems and love songs as one and the same

by Tim Stegall

Akron, Ohio born and bred Christine Ellen Hynde has led the Pretenders from the top of the charts since the...

Features

Here are 10 times ‘SNL’ brought punk into America’s living rooms

by Tim Stegall

“Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” Those words have rung out across American airwaves at roughly 10:35 p.m. every...

Quizzes

QUIZ: Can you pass this ultimate ska music trivia quiz?

by Scott Waldman

Ska may be one of the most polarizing words in the English language. Many of its superfans have lived and...

Features

Discover 50 unsigned bands from every state in the US

by Jason Robey

From sea to shining sea, the U.S. is teeming with talented bands and musicians. Every state and region of the...

Features

These 16 early Afro-Punk artists made huge contributions to alt-rock

by Dan Leroy

The 2003 documentary Afro-Punk lifted the lid on how many black musicians and fans were part of punk culture. Yet...