punk
10 AAPI musicians who are dominating the alternative genre right now
May is Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which means it’s time to recognize and reflect the AAPI artists who enrich history and culture, specifically music. Many AAPI artists are redefining genres such as alt, punk, pop and hip-hop. They’re creating totally vulnerable and honest songs that express feelings and experiences in a way […]
25 films that capture the history of punk, riot grrrl and beyond
A new wave of punk has taken the world and internet by storm. Recently, there has been a spike in movies about the feminist punk movement, and TikTok users have repopularized bands such as Bikini Kill and X-Ray Spex. In 2021, the history and legacy of riot grrrl appears across all social media platforms as […]
18 emerging pop-punk artists backed by Pinkshift’s Ashrita Kumar
Back in February, Alternative Press hailed Pinkshift as one of 100 Artists You Need To Know. Now, vocalist Ashrita Kumar is expanding that list with 18 of her favorite emerging pop-punk-adjacent bands. It might not surprise you to learn that the Baltimore-based outfit’s influences are just as eclectic as their sound. In fact, Kumar is quick to note […]
Willow Smith explores new pop-punk sound alongside Travis Barker—watch
Ahead of her forthcoming album, Willow Smith is embracing her pop-punk side in her latest track featuring Travis Barker, “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l”. The single centers on the idea of being the best version of yourself, even if you don’t think that is possible […]
10 old-school punk bands who created the blueprint for the hardcore scene
1979: As far as the American record business was concerned, punk rock was finished. They’d spent a packet on the Sex Pistols, Ramones and Dead Boys, and those albums seemingly shipped straight to the cut-out bins. The Pistols self-destructed at the end of their U.S. tour the previous year, and now that Sid Vicious kid […]
10 artists who are breaking the silence on LGBTQIA+ struggles
LGBTQIA+ artists have always been major players in the alt and punk scene. From Freddie Mercury and David Bowie to Halsey and Laura Jane Grace, rock music has been a place for those who are LGBTQIA+ to express themselves and their experiences. Read more: 10 trans women musicians who are changing the world of punk rock […]
10 alternative artists who were inspired by David Bowie's legacy
Nothing’s been right since David Bowie died, Jan. 10, 2016. The rise of Trumpism? COVID-19? The Big Bang Theory going off the air? Would any of these things have happened if Bowie was still striding the Earth? Well, probably. But his new records would’ve acted as a buffer, even if these shitty elements remained intolerable. […]
These 9 women artists defined the Tumblr-era of alternative music
Now that the scene revival of 2019 has somewhat subsided, the soft grunge pinks and deep blues of the Tumblr era are back in full swing. Between 2009 and 2014, women such as Marina And The Diamonds (now known as MARINA) and Lana Del Rey were dominating the Tumblr dashboard. Grimes was stealing hyperpop hearts, […]
15 punk albums that set up 1994 to be a year of major change for the genre
To consider Alternative Press’ list of 1994’s top 15 punk albums, one has to bear in mind two factors: Green Day’s Dookie was released Feb. 1. Kurt Cobain died by his own hand April 5. The alternative nation’s voice was suddenly, shockingly stilled. After three years of the most popular music being an agonized scream […]
10 debut records from 2001 that still crush 20 years later
It’s truly mind-blowing to believe that 2001 was really 20 years ago. The beginning of the 2000s was a strange time. We had the beginning of Myspace, the golden age of pop punk and plenty of questionable fashion choices. Read more: 10 vocalists who brought a unique sound to the 2000s scene It’s also crazy […]
Cher Strauberry is breaking down stereotypes in punk rock—here's how
Growing up in California, Cher Strauberry was practically raised in her local punk scene. Surrounded by mosh pits since the age of 10, the 28-year-old is dropping her debut full-length, Chering Is Caring, in June. A lot of time went into the LP—three years, to be precise—and the singer believes it finally deserves to see […]
MxPx are playing a free interactive livestream—here’s how to watch
MxPx are back with their latest livestream event “Between This World And The Next.” The free performance is available to watch April 16 at 6:30 p.m. PST via the Alternative Press Facebook page. The group are also back with their latest single, “Can’t Keep Waiting,” which premiered April 16. The song speaks to the emotions […]
Pete Davidson is starring as Joey Ramone in an upcoming Netflix biopic
Pete Davidson has just landed one of his next movie roles. The comedian is set to portray punk icon Joey Ramone in the Netflix biopic I Slept With Joey Ramone. The news was announced April 15, which marks the 20th anniversary of the Ramones vocalist’s death. In addition to starring in I Slept With Joey […]
Chrissy Costanza came to terms with self-sabotage on ATC's "weapon"
Against The Current vocalist Chrissy Costanza is ready to walk through the fire and embrace healing on her pop-rock band’s single “weapon.” Writing the track during lockdown and in a time of darkness for the singer, “weapon” sees Costanza exploring how we are “simultaneously the protagonist and antagonist of our own story” and how she’s […]
10 modern punk bands who are channeling acts from the first wave
Despite what some TikTok troll in his aunt’s basement is incoherently ranting about in 2021, punk rock isn’t dead by any means. It never has been, and a sea of incredible bands in its aggressive world get overlooked all too often. We’re here to remedy this. Whether you’re a punk-rock purist who thinks that Sex […]
Tom DeLonge shared an early ’90s blink-182 gig poster he drew himself
Tom DeLonge is taking a trip down memory lane this week. On April 14, he shared the ultimate blink-182 throwback some fans may not have seen before. The Angels & Airwaves frontman recently came across an old blink-182 gig poster he drew himself in the ’90s and revealed what he thinks about it after all […]
DE'WAYNE gives a glimpse into his past in the explosive "Walking To Work"
In his brand-new track, DE’WAYNE wants you to stop calling him. After cryptically teasing his song for a few days and exciting his ever-growing fanbase that he lovingly calls “the circle,” DE’WAYNE finally released his single “Walking To Work” today. The bass-y, dynamic tune is inspired by his strolls to his job before he entered […]
Richard Hell hated his album ‘Destiny Street,’ so he did it three more times
When we left off in our expansive conversation with Richard Hell, we established his chicken-and-egg credentials in punk’s development. We spoke of his establishing the spiky haircut—which was to early punk as the ducktail was to ’50s rock ’n’ roll or the moptop was to the British Invasion—as well as what fashionistas now call “distressed” […]
10 influential Australian punk bands who defined the nation’s current sounds
“Detroit is the capital of Australia.” That phrase got thrown around a lot in ’80s American fanzines as our underground discovered Australian punk’s loud-and-aggressive charms. The basic sound: U.S. protopunk, especially of the Stooges/MC5 variety, mixed with ’60s garage, played with thermonuclear energy through modern heavy metal amplification. There was also an especial appreciation for […]
Hit Like A Girl opens 2021 drumming contest voting—here’s how to support
Public voting has opened for the 2021 Hit Like A Girl contest. Each year, the international contest returns to promote the visibility of female drummers and percussionists. Supporters can now cast votes for their favorite contestants. They can submit one vote per person per day through April 25 at 11:59 p.m. PST by logging in […]
