I'm cool with it. Can't say I wouldn't have done the same.

There's no reason Bad Religion should be above Black Flag, Minor Threat, Ramones, and the Minutemen.

I just realized I used to go on that forum quite a bit.

I'm fully aware that I rail against this constantly, but this comment is why I hate punk music.

I'm not trying to profess an elitist attitude or anything, what I mean is, donning the mohawk does not make you anymore punk than another musician.

It always pisses me off when I see a band like Rancid
http://www.lyricsreg.com/fw_images/artists/rancid3.jpg

or The Casualties
http://www.paulepictures.com/images/...sualties_2.jpg

donning this gear as if it somehow destroys all doubt that these guys are the real deal when in reality, a band like Comeback Kid
http://www.merchworld.eu/media/Blog/18.jpg

or Kid Dynamite
http://www.latenightwallflower.com/s.../bio_photo.jpg

can dress like normal people and fit into the genre of music just as well.

I don't think I know another genre though that constantly throws people out quite like punk does.

Probably isn't one.

The world will never agree on what's punk and what isn't. That's the curse, but also part of the fun of the genre.

I don't mean to derail this, but the way lists are treated around here the thread might be over anyhow.

Part of the fun, you're saying?

Well heres the thing. There is an on-going purity test in punk and the worst of it is, its not even centralized. Its constantly being readjusted as 2+ people speak. its like religion post-pope.

the problem is the genre never evolves and it isolates would be listeners. Therefore there is no lead in "starter bands" for punk within the genre. It suggests people either are listening to punk, or they aren't. While I can't say the opposite is better - metal with its forever disseminating sub genres to the point of self-parody - but theres progression in other forms for a reason.

i.e. bands can't have touches of "speed" and "lack of talent." So a band that plays fast isn't punk. A band that plays three chords isn't punk. Its like the shire, one day you just stumble upon it and at that point you know what it is. Prior it was just something you'd heard about.

This list is why I prefer post punk.

I don't have to put up with morons with no taste who think Bad Religion & Operation Ivy are among the 5 best bands in their chosen genre.

Husker Du should surely be Top 10.

Now I don't claim to be an expert on the genre, time and time again I've tried to co-mingle in it only to be expelled (often violently) due to my metal roots. After reading that list I have to say... I don't really see anything wrong with it. Perhaps the order is a little fucked but at least good bands are on that list. Most of my experience with ordered rankings like that horrible to say the very least (see Rolling Stone's list of 100 albums of the decade), but at least this list doesn't just skim the most popular albums. Punk is one of those genres that's so flooded with bands that it's nearly impossible to find everything you like. Good stuff unfortunately gets buried under others and finding a record store with a varied punk library is rare these days.