Play That Punky Music Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Crimson Ghost

The Misfits formed in Lodi, New Jersey, in 1977 and established a unique sound by combining aggressive music with horror-film imagery, including the Crimson Ghost skull motif that became their logo, as well as 'corpse' (monochromatic) paint. The original line-up comprised Glenn Danzig (vocals), Jerry Only (bass), Franché Coma (guitar) and Manny Martínez (drums). 'Walk Among Us' and 'Earth A.D.', a couple of the band's early albums, emphasised the theatrical performances and dark themes that helped shape the direction of later punk, hardcore and metal acts. Covers by prominent groups such as Metallica helped broaden the Misfits' audience.

The band's history has been marked by personnel changes and drawn-out legal disputes. Danzig left the band in 1983, causing a break-up, and battles over the band name continued into the mid-1990s. They reformed in 2016 for a few years, but ongoing internal disputes led to a permanent break up in 2022.

Answer: D.O.A.

D.O.A. formed in Vancouver in 1978 with Joey Keithley (guitar/vocals), Randy Rampage (bass) and Chuck Biscuits (drums) as the original line up. Their 1981 album, 'Hardcore '81', helped give hardcore punk its name as it was the first time this term was applied to the music style. Pairing speed with overtly political lyrics, the album won the public vote for the Polaris Heritage Prize in 2019.

The band coined the slogan "talk minus action equals zero." Joey Keithley became a long-term activist by standing for and holding local office, and the band played hundreds of benefit shows for causes from antiracism to the environment. D.O.A. has never officially broke up, although they have undergone numerous line-up changes and occasional hiatuses.

Answer: Holiday in Cambodia

The Dead Kennedys formed in San Francisco in 1978 with Jello Biafra (real name Eric Reed Boucher) on vocals, East Bay Ray (Raymond John Pepperell) on guitar, Klaus Flouride (Geoffrey Lyall) playing bass and Ted (Bruce Slesinger) on drums. They became known for the graphic language in songs that mocked authoritarianism, consumerism and U.S. politics. Tracks such as 'Holiday in Cambodia' and other titles with profane lyrics resulted in an obscenity trial in the mid-1980s. This sparked a national debate in the USA about indecency in music and art.

Jello Biafra and East Bay Ray created the record label 'Alternative Tentacles' to release The Dead Kennedys' own songs, but ended up releasing the records of other punk and alternative bands. It remains a symbol of the genre, long after their 1986 break up.

Answer: The Bags

The Bags formed in Los Angeles in 1977 fronted by vocalist Alicia Armendariz (stage name Alice Bag) with Patricia Morrison (Pat Bag) on bass. They were backed by Craig Lee and Rob Ritter on guitar with Terry Graham playing drums. The Bags became known for their 'raw' sound and chaotic live shows, which is thought to have helped shape early punk on the West Coast of the USA. Though regular appearances at clubs like The Masque left a lasting imprint, their success was limited, with few actual recordings (ironically, the single 'Survive' was one).

The band participated in the documentary film 'The Decline of Western Civilization' in 1980, but the band had effectively faded a few years later.

Answer: The 101ers

Joe Strummer (John Mellor) ditched the 101ers after he heard the Sex-Pistols play, and joined The Clash, who formed in London in 1976. Joe Strummer was on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mick Jones on lead guitar and vocals, Paul Simonon (bass) and Topper Headon (drums); early shows also featured drummer Terry Chimes.

heir style was eclectic, mixing punk with reggae, ska, funk, and with a pointed political overtone. 'London Calling' is widely considered a landmark album, possibly due to the fact that it was recorded amid financial and managerial turmoil. Internal tensions and line-up changes (notably Jones's dismissal in 1983) led to the band splitting in 1986, though their influence on rock and political song-writing remains.

Answer: Top of the Pops

The band Crass formed in Essex in 1977, and from the outset rejected the mainstream music industry. They combined DIY ethics, pacifism and a deliberately discomforting artistic approach. Core members included Penny Rimbaud, Steve Ignorant, Eve Libertine, N.A. Palmer and Pete Wright. Their independently released records, most significantly 'The Feeding of the 5000', had an anarchistic tone with lyrics attacking war, capitalism, and even punk itself.

Crass refused to appear on 'Top of the Pops', a British record chart television program airing between 1964 and 2000, as it violated their anti-capitalist stance. Refusal to participate in mainstream commercialism and the DIY ethos helped define anarcho-punk before the group disbanded in 1984.

Answer: Minor Threat

Led by Ian MacKaye (vocals) and with a line-up that included Lyle Preslar and Brian Baker on guitar, Jeff Nelson (drums) and later Steve Hansgen (bass), Minor Threat formed in Washington, D.C., in 1980. Their brief journey produced the song 'Straight Edge,' released in 1981.

At just 46 seconds long, the number unintentionally sparked a global 'sober-centred' subculture. The band dissolved in 1983, though their influence on hardcore, DIY ethics and punk attitudes lingers.

Answer: The Damned

The Damned formed in London in 1976 and promptly claimed several punk firsts, including the genre's first UK single and album. Original members were Dave Vanian (born David Lett), Captain Sensible (Raymond Burns), Monty Oxymoron (Laurence Burrow), Paul Grey and Will Taylor.

With the band's gothic flair and erratic behaviour, The Damned used punk aggression and theatrical humour to underscore their anti-establishment attitude. Songs like 'New Rose' and 'Smash It Up' became instant classics, managing to survive decades of change. Over time, the band concentrated on gothic and psychedelic sounds; they broke up and reformed multiple times throughout their history, releasing a studio album, 'Darkadelic', as late as 2023.

Answer: CBGB (Country, BlueGrass, and Blues)

Country, BlueGrass, and Blues opened in New York in 1973 and was originally intended for country and bluegrass performances. However,despite originally being intended as a bluegrass and folk club, it quickly became the centre of American punk and new wave, with early performances by the Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads and Blondie.

The venue's dark atmosphere and relaxed booking rules encouraged experimentation and risk-taking that helped reshape modern rock. Although the club closed in 2006, CBGB's influence remains foundational to punk history.

Answer: Damaged

'Damaged' was the first (one of three) hardcore punk full-length album released by Black Flag, a punk band formed in Southern California in 1976. It was founded by guitarist Greg Ginn; as well as Ginn, their early line-ups featured Keith Morris (vocals), Chuck Dukowski (bass) and Brian Migdol on drums, with later members including Dez Cadena, Robo and Henry Rollins (vocals).

The band split in 1986, though their influence on punk's do-it-yourself ethics remains.