Music Banter - Synth Punk

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- Punk (https://www.musicbanter.com/punk/)

- - Synth Punk (https://www.musicbanter.com/punk/62103-synth-punk.html)

If you are not familiar with the genre, then allow me to explain. Synth punk is sub-genre of punk rock that developed around the mid to late-70s. It fused the simplicity and energy of punk rock with that of the seemingly cold, distant sound of early electronics. The earliest renditions of synth punk can be traced back to two bands: Suicide and The Screamers... as well as a precursor to the genre... Silver Apples, who were making energetic/psychedelic electronic music in the 60s.

As far as my opinion goes, I have always been fascinated with this genre because it's taking a type of music that is dominated by guitars and completely getting rid of them in favor of electronics.

Anyways, here is a list of what I consider to be the best of synth punk:

► Suicide (1977) by Suicide
► Suicide (1980) by Suicide
► Demos 77-78 by The Screamers
► Music from Hell (1981) by Nervous Gender
► Gadgetree (1980) by The Gardgets (my personal favorite out of the bunch)
► In a Model Room (1979) by P-Model

I would put something by Tuxedomoon, but... they're sort of in their own category.

nice call on Nervous gender....that album is a real gem :)

i know all of those excerpt P-Models....i'll check out the album tonight :)

Funny I remembered this track being a lot more synth based.

Not really though.

What would you say is the defining feature that would make something punk? Just listening to that first Gadgets track you posted I wouldn't have said it was punk if I had to guess a genre.

Somewhat aggressive and usually simplistic rock music that primarily utilizes synthesizers or other electronic instruments. So (to put it bluntly)... punk rock with synths.

I feel The Screamers fit this definition perfectly...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat (Post 1181915)

I feel The Screamers fit this definition perfectly...

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I am digging this thread so far. Would love to know what else is out there:clap:

Great idea for a thread... I love Suicide... Thanks for sharing those vids... The Screamers' vid is awesome... I always think of UK bands like Cabaret Voltaire (their early stuff) and Fad Gadget as synth punk too...

Metal Urbain were good, they did make use of distorted guitar chords but combined them with a drum machine and synth.

Le Shok were also great;

And The Units:

Whenever I think Synth Punk there are 2 groups that immediately come to mind.

Six Finger Satellite - they lean a bit more on the punk side but most definitely incorporate synths into their style.

Add N to (X) - Almost exclusively synth based but very much punk rock especially on their last album, but because of that Le Shok album cover I kind of need to include this (NOT SAFE FOR WORK OR SCHOOL) clip from their 'breakthrough' disc (Avant Hard) instead:

Got the synth bit anyway, maybe more novelty than punk.