Proto-punk in the context of Pub rock (United Kingdom)

Hardcore punk (commonly abbreviated to hardcore or hXc) is a punk rock subgenre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk scenes in San Francisco and Southern California which arose as a reaction against the still predominant hippie cultural climate of the time. It was also inspired by Washington, D.C., and New York punk rock and early proto-punk. Hardcore punk generally eschews commercialism, the established music industry and "anything similar to the characteristics of mainstream rock" and often addresses social and political topics with "confrontational, politically charged lyrics".

Hardcore sprouted underground scenes across the United States in the early 1980s, particularly in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston, and New York, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. Hardcore has spawned the straight edge movement and its associated sub-movements, hardline and youth crew. Hardcore was heavily involved in the rise of the independent record labels in the 1980s and with the DIY ethics in underground music scenes. It has also influenced various music genres that have experienced widespread commercial success, including grunge and thrash metal.

The Dictators are an American punk rock/hard rock band formed in New York City in 1972. Known for their acerbic and provocative approach in their music, the Dictators underwent several changes in their lineups. Its founding members included musicians Andy "Adny" Shernoff (bass, keyboards, vocals), Ross "The Boss" Friedman (lead guitar) and Scott "Top Ten" Kempner (rhythm guitar). At one point, the lineup included "Handsome" Dick Manitoba (vocals) and Mark "The Animal" Mendoza (bass). Throughout varying lineups, Shernoff, Friedman and Kempner have been constant members.

With albums like The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!, Manifest Destiny and Bloodbrothers, the Dictators did not initially have any commercial success outside the punk rock scene in the 1970s and courted some controversies, but later grew to be respected as one of the pioneers in punk rock with a strong cult following. Critic John Dougan said that they were "one of the finest and most influential proto-punk bands to walk the earth."

Cleveland punk was a proto-punk and punk rock music scene in Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1970s. Its early bands included Mirrors, Electric Eels, the Styrenes, Rocket from the Tombs. Notable bands that emerged included Pere Ubu, the Pagans, and Dead Boys.

Australian musicians played and recorded some of the earliest punk rock, led by the Saints who released their first single in 1976. Subgenres of punk music, such as local hardcore acts, still have a strong cult following throughout Australia.

Many of the pioneers, like the Saints, Sydney band Radio Birdman, and young Perth musician Kim Salmon, were highly influenced by proto-punk sounds from Detroit. A distinct Brisbane punk scene emerged in the 1970s. By 1977, other bands began to form in Sydney, under the influence of Radio Birdman and other local and overseas acts. During the late 1970s, former members of Radio Birdman contributed to several new bands. These bands and other Australian and overseas punk acts were supported by public radio stations. In Melbourne scene, art rock had segued into punk, then evolved into post-punk, typified by the careers of Nick Cave, Rowland S. Howard and the Little Band scene. Another pioneering figure of Australian postpunk was Saints founder Ed Kuepper.