Leather jackets, black eyeliner, and sweaty basement shows — the early days of punk in the ’70s and early ’80s were all about cutting loose, pushing back against the establishment, and breaking every rule in sight. It was a movement born out of rebellion and a DIY spirit — where bands played fast, loud, and without apology, lending a voice to those who never quite felt like they “fit in” with mainstream culture. From misfits repping mohawks and spiky belts to kids diving into their very first mosh pits, here are 20 photos that tell the story of a music scene that was equal parts attitude and identity.
1. Two Punks Strike a Pose in East Germany, Circa 1980
2. Punks Snap a Photo With a Police Officer in London, 1980
3. Young Punk Flashes a Smiles While Sporting a Mohawk
4. Just a Couple of Punks Hanging Out in Manchester, England, 1979
5. A Woman Rocking Serious Punk Hair and Makeup
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6. Just a Punk Hanging Out in a Field, Early 1980s
7. Hey, Wanna Start a Punk Band With Our Other Best Friend?
8. You Weren’t Really Punk Unless You Were Rocking the Spiky Belt, Boots, and Mohawk Combo
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9. ‘Punk/New Wave Era in Germany, 1980’
10. Audience Members Moshing at a Concert in Huntington Beach, California, 1970
11. The Descendants, Legends in the Punk World, Performing in 1977
12. A Mosh Pit Gets (Literally) Turned Upside Down
13. A Group of Punks Sit on a Tank During a Protest in Moscow, 1970s
14. ‘A Group of Punks in East Berlin, East Germany, Stand Under a Statue of Vladimir Lenin, 1982’
15. A Punk Couple Wearing Matching Band Tees in New York City, 1979
16. ‘Punk Show Crowd in Germany, 1980’
17. ‘Quit Smiling, We’re Punks!’
18. British Punks Pictured in the Streets of London, Early ’80s
19. ‘The Welders, an Early Punk Band From St. Louis, 1977’
20. ‘Old School Punks in Edinburgh, Scotland, 1983’
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