The difference, by ear
Anarcho-punk took punk's politics literally and built infrastructure around them - labels, squats, distribution - where punk had mostly used politics as attitude.
Both are shouted and move at much the same pace, around 150 to 200 bpm. To hear the difference, play Crass next to Ramones. Anarcho-punk grew out of punk rock, five years later.
In figures
Anarcho-punk
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Anarcho-punk
In short
Total political punk: collectives, self-releasing and militant pacifism. It laid down the DIY ethic the underground still runs on.
How it sounds
- Raw production, often with noise, collage and radio recordings.
- Irregular, sometimes nearly improvised structures.
- Dense, pamphlet-like text printed in full on the gatefold sleeve.
Key acts
- Crass
- Conflict
- Subhumans
Start here
The pickCrass - The Feeding of the 5000. Not pleasant listening, and never meant to be.
Full page →Punk rock
Where it sits
In short
Three chords, two minutes and zero patience for solos. A full reset of rock, and the second major source of extreme metal.
How it sounds
- Three or four chords, open position or power chords, strummed in eighths.
- Songs of ninety seconds to two and a half minutes, with no long intro and no guitar solo.
- Fast, cheap production with the vocals up front and simple drums on two and four.
Key acts
- Ramones
- Sex Pistols
- The Clash
- Buzzcocks
Start here
The pickRamones - Ramones. Fourteen songs in twenty-nine minutes, not a wasted note.
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