The difference, by ear
Psychobilly is a punk-era genre that refused punk's instrumentation, which is unusual enough to be its defining trait.
Punk rock is shouted where psychobilly is sung cleanly, and a little slower: 160 to 200 bpm against 180 to 220. To hear the difference, play The Meteors next to Ramones. Psychobilly grew out of punk rock, six years later.
In figures
Psychobilly
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Psychobilly
In short
Rockabilly with slapped upright bass, punk speed and lyrics about monsters. Quiff haircut mandatory.
How it sounds
- Slapped upright bass played hard, as a percussion instrument.
- Rockabilly reverb on the guitar, with punk speed and aggression.
- Quiff haircuts, tattoos and lyrics about monsters, cars and the morgue.
Key acts
- The Meteors
- Demented Are Go
- Nekromantix
Start here
The pickThe Meteors - In Heaven. Ground zero, manifesto included.
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.
Full page →