The difference, by ear
Melodic hardcore shouts where this sings, and is more politically earnest. The tempos and the guitar work are close.
Melodic hardcore is shouted where skate punk is sung cleanly, at much the same pace, around 180 to 230 bpm. To hear the difference, play NOFX next to Dag Nasty. They share a root in punk rock, and melodic hardcore came first, by five years.
In figures
Skate punk
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Pop punk › Skate punk
In short
Faster, more technical pop punk with two-beat drumming and short solos. The soundtrack to skate videos.
How it sounds
- Very fast tempos with two-beat drumming and technical transitions.
- Clear-toned bass with its own often highly technical lines.
- Vocal harmonies everywhere, even at 220 bpm.
Key acts
- NOFX
- Pennywise
- Lagwagon
Start here
The pickNOFX - Punk in Drublic. Technical, fast and unreasonably well written.
Full page →Melodic hardcore
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Hardcore punk › Melodic hardcore
In short
Same speed and urgency, but with sung choruses and guitar harmonies.
How it sounds
- Hardcore speed with major-key harmonic progressions.
- Two-part guitar harmonies and sung choruses.
- More personal or reflective political lyrics rather than pure slogans.
Key acts
- Dag Nasty
- Strike Anywhere
- Comeback Kid
Start here
The pickKid Dynamite - Kid Dynamite. Seventeen songs, twenty-four minutes, zero fat.
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