Post-punk developed in the late 70s, early 80s- right around the time of punk itself, so yes the name is a bit of a misnomer. Like punk, it was a response to the self indulgent guitar gods of the 70s. Being good at your instrument wasn’t really a requirement. However, instead of seething with rage or seething with apathy, post-punk is characterized by a stripped down starkness, usually prominent basslines, minimal guitar and a droning lead singer clad in all black. A very, almost exclusively, British scene, with inexorable ties to New Wave and Gothic.
Here are 10 post-punk songs by 10 of the best post-punk acts
10. Wire – Mannequin
Perhaps more punk than post-punk, these incredibly influential and prolific guys do embody the minimalism that so defines the movement. 1977’s Pink Flag is undoubtedly their masterpiece. But 154 is good too.
I’m not as knowledgeable about them as I would like, but this one is my favourite song by them.
9. Killing Joke – Follow the Leaders
A bit of an odd act, they drew both post-punk and heavy metal fans. They kind of delved into inflammatory/political imagery. John Peel was into them from the beginning, so that’s always a good sign. They got into the occult and the apocalypse, which is a weird sign. But for the more abrasive post-punk sound, these are your guys.
This song is off What’s THIS For…! which is the only album I really know by them.
8. Gang of Four – Damaged Goods
Gang of Four were a hugely influential band, inspiring a bunch of the post-punk revival acts and both Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Not going to voice my opinion on the latter, but their music has definitely resonated with plenty of bands.
Entertainment! Is an absolutely classic album and I could probably play the bass line to this song all day and night.
7. The Fall – U.S 80s 90s
Jesus, the Fall are prolific. Terrifyingly so. They have 30 studio albums. 30. THIRTY. And every song is just Mark E. Smith muttering in his heavy accent. Mark E. Smith has been the only consistent member of the Fall since their beginnings in 1976. If you like songs where the lead singer just speaks his biting, cynical lyrics over the jagged bass-heavy instrumentation- you’ll love them. John Peel called them his favourite band
This is the best song by them [my favourite at least] and indicative of their sound.
6. The Chameleons – Don’t Fall
The Chameleons [or The Chameleons UK as they were called in the US] are a classic post-punk act. 1983’s Script of the Bridge is a vital addition for the post-punker’s record collection. Dark, stark, brilliant. Perhaps not as well-known or influential as the others on this list, but they were good at what they did and they completely embodied the post-punk sound.
5. Jesus and Mary Chain – Just Like Honey
JAMC played with an out of tune guitar, a bass with three strings [down to two by 1985] and a drum kit with two drums. They are just a brilliant, fuzzy post-punk band. If you want sloppy apathy, you want Jesus and the Mary Chain. Psychocandy is a classic, iconic album. I still see people trying to rock the Jim Reid poof haircut, and more power to them.
This is probably their most famous intro, or at least the one people air-drum the most when they are three beers in. [I’ve seen that happen at least twice.]
4. Siouxsie and the Banshees – Spellbound
Geeee its about time I got some girl power on this list. But Siouxsie Sioux brings enough power [and eyeliner] for ten bands. She is theatrical, she is intense, her and the Banshees are awesome. Everytime I hear punky female vocals [Savages, Adult. etc] I immediately compare her to Siouxsie Sioux. They are where post-punk meet goth rock.
This song is fun, her voice is awesome. Great times are had.
3. Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi’s Dead
Another goth-rocky act, this one fronted by Peter Murphy who looks a bit like a stop-motion Tim Burton character. They are dark, sucking all the light out of the room types.
Come on, this song is called Bela Lugosi’s Dead, that tells you all you need to know about these guys.
2. Echo and the Bunnymen – Killing Moon
Ian McCulloch wears military jackets, dark sunglasses and still rocks his 80s hair to this day [something poor ole Morrissey can’t quite claim] Crocodiles, Heaven Up Here, Porcupine and Ocean Rain are phenomenal albums and some of the greatest the 80s had to offer. As a bass player, I love kicking into some Bunnymen songs. I can’t speak on any of their albums after Ocean Rain, because I haven’t really listened to them. And then Ian McCulloch left and they replaced him with another vocalist on Reverberation, which is just weird. But their first four albums are brilliant and if you’re a John Hughes fan you’d recognize “Bring on the Dancing Horses” from Pretty in Pink
I cried when I heard this song live as its one of my favourite songs ever and I essentially grew up listening to it and I never ever thought I’d see it live. It’s a gorgeous song, as well.
1. Joy Division – Transmission
Everything from Peter Hook’s basslines to the famous Unknown Pleasures album cover to Ian Curtis’ suicide essentially defined the post-punk scene as something dark, serious and astoundingly minimal. According to legend [and the film 24 Hour Party People] their producer made their drummer take apart his drum set, reassemble it using parts of a toilet and then made him practice on the building’s roof. These guys are the real deal. And if you want to start getting into post-punk or British music in general, you start with these guys.
This is one of the songs that got me into playing bass. Dance, dance, dance, to the radio!
45-Revolutions 