Although there’s a focus on punk for the majority of their material, The Flatliners also know how to get us skanking. Quite diverse, they’re another Fat Wreck Chords mainstay that, whilst not hugely influential yet, will be in a few years. Best known for their track ‘Eulogy’, which is a great example of the kind of style Fat Wreck Chords loves to out, they’ve become a force to be reckoned with in the international punk scene.
4. Against Me!
A band that polarises fan opinions like no other, Against Me! Release the incredible album White Crosses last year, boasting incredible production and a much more epic style. Fans have been claiming even since the band’s Fat Wreck Chord days that they’d sold out and weren’t “punk”. So, all the power to Against Me! For making the music they want to. They’ve definitely matured and moved away from the rougher style, but lyrically and stylistically, it’s still punk. They seem to be on the cusp of world domination, without losing their integrity, so be sure to check them out.
3. The Lawrence Arms
It may be surprising that they’re this high, considering some of the bands lower down have had much wider success. However, The Lawrence Arms are one of the more consistent bands to come out of Fat Wreck Chords. A vital part of the Chicago punk scene (formed by members of several underground bands in the area), they have been together for nearly 12 years putting out great punk records. Their 2001 album Apathy and Exhaustion is one of the best new wave punk albums of the decade, and The Lawrence Arms show no signs of slowing down.
2. Rise Against
They’re a huge band now, and we just can’t get enough of them. They went a bit more alt-rock with 2008’s Appeal To Reason, but that gave us the beautifully poignant ‘Hero of War’. With a new album out in March, Rise Against’s star continues to rise. The future looks quite bright for the band who brought us songs like ‘Prayer of The Refugee’ and ‘The State of the Union’
1. NOFX
It’s a predictable choice, but how could our Number 1 be anyone else? NOFX front man Fat Mike founded the label, and the band moved to it, from Epitaph, in 2000. Together for over 27 years, they inspired the likes of Green Day and many more. NOFX are essentially pioneers of the punk revival, occasionally incorporating flawless ska/reggae influences into their music. Still releasing and touring, it’s amazing that they’ve not slowed down. For us, though, it’s definitely a good thing that these guys are still showing everyone how to make simple, brilliant punk-rock.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge