Start a Punk Band

A punk band isn't about playing perfectly or having a great singing voice. Punk bands are about going nuts with your music, making each song unique and somewhat insane.

Steps

  1. Gather a band. Make sure they're interested in the punk style and enthusiastic about making punk music. It will help to find others who already own their own instruments and can play punk or similar music.
  2. Organize each band member's role. You'll need at least one of each; singer, drummer, bassist, and guitarist.
  3. Decide upon the band's name. Let all of the members brainstorm, narrow down the selections, and pick a name. Agree upon a single name. Most punk bands start with, "the." Keep that in mind. It doesn't matter what the band's name is as long as everyone accepts it.
  4. Practice. Find a place to practice, such as someone's garage, or rent out an old warehouse. If your drummer has a garage with their own drum set, practice here (it's a hassle to move around a drum set).
  5. Find your specific niche. Punk covers a variety of different styles, so while you're jamming with the band, pick one that best reflects everyone's skills and interests.
    1. Pay attention to different styles of other previous bands around you such as: Descendents, Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Unseen, Misfits, Bad Religion, Rancid, The Adicts, etc.
  6. Write some songs. Don't just play covers, write a dozen or so songs of your own music and lyrics to start. Figure out the instrumental parts of the songs as well, but focus on the lyrics. Make sure everyone is capable of playing the music and ensure it flows well when played by your band.
  7. Keep the songs simple. Doesn't really matter if you can play and if your terrible find a way to distract this by maybe wearing odd clothes or starting fights and such until you get alright. Try to right something that will make people want to jump and mosh around while keeping it hooky if you can.Also politically/social based lyrics always help keep it anger write about what's wrong not what's right
  8. Record your music. Play each song you wrote as much as possible. When you're happy with it, release it to the public. There are many independent labels that have their own MP3 sites for amateur bands.
  1. Invest in the band if you're able to get a few gigs. Encourage everyone to contribute and invest in the band, as it gives them a sense of ownership.
  2. Decide what kind of punk you will play. Could be old school punk, ska punk, hardcore and even pop-punk. You could also play a mix of different sub-genres. As long as It's what you enjoy doing and you are playing in front of the right crowd. And It's OK to switch style, just don't be a sellout and still play a couple of your older style but don't focus so much on if fans are getting disappointing

Tips

  • Manage band money wisely.
  • Don't care too much about what anyone says about your band.
  • Record whenever you play. If you happen to play a great song once, you've got it recorded.
  • Put all your anger and frustration into words to make a song.
  • Try not to take it too seriously; everyone has to start somewhere.
  • Make words rhyme with your voice(where you come from e.g London - Cockney) if you can.

Warnings

  • Make sure your band doesn't have the same name as a pre-existing one.
  • Don't get too whiny with the lyrics, whining is okay, but too much will just annoy everyone.
  • People may not like your band's style or songs.
  • Make sure all of your songs sound different.
  • Try to make your songs interesting, not just simple power chords over and over again.

Things You'll Need

  • Band members
  • Equipment
  • A place to practice
  • Attitude

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