The Best East Coast Punk Albums Of All Time

The East Coast Punk scene definitely had a different "vibe" than the West Coast. I can't really say why. I have theories. It might have to do with the close proximity to Washington D.C. and all the political ramifications that come along with living close to that. It could be the geographical history, with the East Coast having older colonial history with blatant racism seen as a result. Maybe this is what brings out certain qualities in the music and band psychologies. One thing I have noticed as a major difference between the scenes is violence. Both for good and for bad. How can violence be good, usually when it's used lyrically or visually and not physically. It can help to further push a message, usually about injustice and unfair treatment. It can help people rally around a cause, it can empower people. On the bad side is when this empowerment can overtake someone's rational thought and lead to actual physical unjustified violence. I feel like a lot of the East Coast Punk scene railed against homophobia and racism, while I feel some may have been secretly into it. I really can't point too many fingers but there is a lot of fascism being thrown around on the East Coast. They had more skinheads(not all skinheads were bad, some were actually fighting against racism). They had the straight edge scene(anti drugs and sometimes sex). The overall image post 1979 was that of the tough guy. A lot of these bands looked like they worked out a lot. They were scary and their music usually took on a scarier and darker tone than those of their skating surfing chilled out West Coast brethren, that's not to say there were exceptions on both coasts. Both coasts produced their own important visions and had their share of problems(like all movements do).

As a result of the aforementioned factors, I myself find myself gravitating more towards the West Coast. I'm not a big fan of male posturing or violence so I tended to align myself with the West. That being said, all the bands on this list are incredible in their own ways and are extremely important members of the Punk canon. I am a very big fan of what happened in New York from 1973-1977 with the explosion of the CBGBs club. That was art students and weirdos doing something new and exciting and basically starting Punk in the states. I also respect the hell out of the early D.C. scene where the message was strong but the actual infighting and fascism hadn't really poked it's head out too much, it was just a bunch of idealistic teens who wanted to shake shit up with Ian Mackaye and his Dischord label taking the reins. Speaking of which Ian Mackaye's business model should not be overlooked. He has always kept the costs low by investing his own money into the label and he always had an eye for a great forward moving sound that he highlighted with his label any chance he could get. As an independent label owner he is a shining example of one.

With all that being said we hope you enjoy the best East Coast Punk albums of all time. I've done them north to south and I had some help once again this time around from David Vannatta, drummer/backup vocalist of the Quarter Rats.

Please enjoy some powerful music for these powerful times.




From Top To Bottom:

MAINE




A Global Threat-What The Fuck Will Change?(Step-1 Music)(1999)

Style Of Punk: Oi, Hardcore.

NEW HAMPSHIRE




The Bruisers-Cruisin' For A Bruisin'(Primitive)(1993)

Style Of Punk: Oi.



The Queers-Love Songs For The Retarded(Lookout!)(1993)

Style Of Punk: Pop Punk.



The Queers-Don't Back Down(Lookout!)(1996)

Style Of Punk: Pop Punk, Bubblegum, Surf.

MASSACHUSETTS




Converge-Jane Doe(Equal Vision)(2001)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Noise, Mathcore, Metalcore.



Converge-You Fail Me(Epitaph)(2004)

Style Of Punk: Mathcore, Metalcore.



Deep Wound-Self Titled Comp(Lost And Found)(1997)

Style Of Punk: Thrashcore, Hardcore.



Dinosaur Jr-You're Living All Over Me(SST)(1987)

Style Of Punk: Noise, Alternative.



DMZ-Self Titled(Sire)(1978)

Style Of Punk: Garage Punk.



Dropkick Murphys-Do Or Die(Hellcat)(1997)

Style Of Punk: Celtic, Oi.



Dropkick Murphys-The Gang's All Here(Hellcat)(1999)

Style Of Punk: Celtic, Oi.



DYS-Brotherhood(Xclaim!)(1983)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



The Freeze-Rabid Reaction(Modern Method)(1985)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



The FUs-Kill For Christ(Xclaim!)(1982)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



The FUs-My America(Xclaim!)(1983)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Thrashcore.



Gang Green-Another Wasted Night(Taang!)(1986)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Crossover Thrash, Skate.



Jerry's Kids-Is This My World(Xclaim!)(1983)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Mighty Mighty Bosstones-Devil's Night Out(Taang!)(1990)

Style Of Punk: Ska, Hardcore.



Mission Of Burma-Signals, Calls And Marches EP(Ace Of Hearts)(1981)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk.



Mission Of Burma-VS(Ace Of Hearts)(1982)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk, Noise.



Negative FX-Self Titled(Taang!)(1985)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Thrashcore.



Nervous Eaters-Self Titled(Elektra)(1980)

Style Of Punk: Power Pop, New Wave.



Orchid-Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow!(Ebullition)(2000)

Style Of Punk: Emoviolence.



Siege-Drop Dead(Self Released)(1984)

Style Of Punk: Thrashcore, Hardcore, Powerviolence, Grindcore, Noise.



Slapshot-Step On It(Taang!)(1988)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Oi.



Slapshot-Olde Tyme Hardcore(Taang!)(1996)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



SSD-The Kids Will Have Their Say(Xclaim!/Dischord)(1982)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



The Unseen-Lower Class Crucifixtion(V.M.L.)(1997)

Style Of Punk: UK82, Hardcore.

RHODE ISLAND




Daughters-Hell Songs(Hydra Head)(2006)

Style Of Punk: Mathcore, Noise, Art Punk, No Wave.



Daughters-You Won't Get What You Want(Ipecac)(2018)

Style Of Punk: Noise, Art Punk, Industrial, No Wave.



Landed-Everything's Happening(Vermiform)(1998)

Style Of Punk: Noise.



Les Savy Fav-3/5(The Self Starter Foundation)(1997)

Style Of Punk: Noise, Art Punk.



Les Savy Fav-The Cat And The Cobra(Frenchkiss)(1999)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk, Emo.



Lightning Bolt-Wonderful Rainbow(Load)(2003)

Style Of Punk: Noise, Experimental.



Lighnting Bolt-Hypermagic Mountain(Load)(2005)

Style Of Punk: Noise, Experimental.



Lightning Bolt-Fantasy Empire(Thrill Jockey)(2015)

Style Of Punk: Noise, Experimental.

CONNECTICUT




Arab On Radar-Yahweh On The Highway(Skin Graft)(2001)

Style Of Punk: Noise, No Wave, Experimental.



Hatebreed-Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire(Victory)(1997)

Style Of Punk: Beatdown Hardcore, Metalcore.

NEW YORK



Agnostic Front-Victim In Pain(Rat Cage)(1984)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore, Thrashcore.



Agnostic Front-Cause For Alarm(Combat Core)(1986)

Style Of Punk: Crossover Thrash, New York Hardcore.



Beastie Boys-Some Old Bullshit Comp(Grand Royal)(1994)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore.



Black Dice-Cold Hands(Catsup Plate)(2001)

Style Of Punk: Noise.



Blondie-Self Titled(Private Stock)(1976)

Style Of Punk: New Wave, Power Pop.



Blondie-Plastic Letters(Chrysalis)(1977)

Style Of Punk: New Wave, Power Pop.



Blondie-Parallel Lines(Chrysalis)(1978)

Style Of Punk: New Wave, Power Pop.



Bomb The Music Industry-Scrambles(Quote Unquote)(2009)

Style Of Punk: Ska, Hardcore.



Bomb The Music Industry!-Vacation(Ernest Jenning Record Co./Really)(2011)

Style Of Punk: Pop Punk, Synth Punk.



Carnivore-Retaliation(Roadrunner)(1987)

Style Of Punk: Crossover Thrash, New York Hardcore.



Choking Victem-No Gods/No Managers(Hellcat)(1998)

Style Of Punk: Ska, Hardcore, Crust, Anarcho.



The Contortions-Buy(ZE)(1979)

Style Of Punk: No Wave, Dance Punk, Funk Punk.



The Cramps-Songs The Lord Taught Us(I.R.S./Illegal)(1980)

Style Of Punk: Psychobilly, Garage Punk, Surf, Punk Blues.



The Cramps-Psychedelic Jungle(I.R.S.)(1981)

Style Of Punk: Psychobilly, Garage Punk, Surf.



Cro Mags-The Age Of Quarrel(Profile/Rock Hotel)(1986)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore, Crossover Thrash.




The Dbs-Stands For Decibles(Albion)(1981)

Style Of Punk: Power Pop, New Wave.



Dead Boys-Young Loud And Snotty(Sire)(1977)

Style Of Punk: Garage Punk.



The Dictators-Go Girl Crazy(Epic)(1975)

Style Of Punk: Proto Punk, Glam Punk.



DNA-DNA On DNA Comp(No More)(2004)

Style Of Punk: No Wave, Noise, Synth Punk.



Gorilla Biscuits-Start Today(Revelation)(1989)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore, Melodic Hardcore.



The Heartbreakers-L.A.M.F.(Track)(1977)

Style Of Punk: Garage Punk.



Richard Hell And The Voidoids-Blank Generation(Sire)(1977)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk.



Kraut-An Adjustment To Society(Cabbage)(1982)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore.



Leftover Crack-Mediocre Generica(Hellcat)(2001)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Ska, Crust.



Leftover Crack-Fuck World Trade(Alternative Tentacles)(2004)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Ska, Anarcho, Crust.



Limp Wrist-Self Titled(Lengua Armada Discos)(2001)

Style Of Punk: Queercore, Thrashcore.



Mars-The Complete Studio Recordings 1977-1978 Comp(G3G)(2004)

Style Of Punk: No Wave, Noise.



The Mob-We Come To Crush(Big City)(1986)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore.



Murphy's Law-Bong Blast(Spliff)(1983)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore.



Murphy's Law-Back With A Bong!(Profile)(1989)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore, Comedy, Ska.



New York Dolls-Self Titled(Mercury)(1973)

Style Of Punk: Proto Punk, Glam Punk.



Ramones-Self Titled(Sire)(1976)

Style Of Punk: Pop Punk.



Ramones-Leave Home(Sire)(1977)

Style Of Punk: Pop Punk.



Ramones-Rocket To Russia(Sire)(1977)

Style Of Punk: Pop Punk.



Ramones-Road To Ruin(Sire)(1978)

Style Of Punk: Pop Punk.



Reagan Youth-A Collection Of Pop Classics Comp(New Red Archives)(1994)*

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Anarcho.

*Please note, this band is not racist. The cover was a send up and satire meant to piss off the KKK given the music inside.



Sick Of It All-Blood, Sweat And No Tears(In-Effect)(1989)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore, Crossover Thrash.



Patti Smith-Horses(Arista)(1975)

Style Of Punk: Proto Punk, Art Punk, Garage Punk.



S.O.D.-Speak English Or Die(Megaforce)(1985)*

Style Of Punk: Crossover Thrash.

*Please note: This band is not racist, it is meant as satire.



Suicide-Self Titled(Red Star)(1977)

Style Of Punk: Synth Punk, No Wave, Industrial.



Talking Heads-77(Sire)(1977)

Style Of Punk: New Wave, Art Punk, Funk Punk.



Television-Marquee Moon(Elektra)(1977)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk.



Teenage Jesus And The Jerks-Everything Comp(Atavistic)(1995)

Style Of Punk: No Wave.



Johnny Thunders-So Alone(Real)(1978)

Style Of Punk: Garage Punk, Glam Punk.



Various Artists-No New York Comp(Antilles)(1978)

Style Of Punk: No Wave, Noise.



Warzone-Don't Forget The Struggle, Don't Forget The Streets(Fist)(1987)*

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore.

*Please note: This band is not racist they just used fascist imagery in their printed art to create a feeling of menace and oppression.



Warzone-Open Your Eyes(Caroline)(1988)

Style Of Punk: New York Hardcore.

NEW JERSEY




Adrenalin OD-The Wacky Hi Jinks Of...(Buy Our Records)(1984)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Thrashcore.



Adrenalin OD-Humungousfungusamongus(Buy Our Records)(1986)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Thrashcore, Melodic Hardcore.



Bouncing Souls-Maniacal Laughter(Chunksaah)(1995)

Style Of Punk: Skate.



Catch Twenty Two-Keasbey Nights(Victory)(1998)

Style Of Punk: Ska.



Hogan's Heroes-Self Titled(New Red Archives)(1990)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Misfits-Walk Among Us(Ruby)(1981)

Style Of Punk: Horror Punk, Hardcore.



Misfits-Static Age(Caroline)(1997)

Style Of Punk: Horror Punk, Hardcore.



Streetlight Manifesto-Everything Goes Numb(Victory/The RISC Group)(2003)

Style Of Punk: Ska.

DELAWARE




The Numbers-Five Numbers(Straight Jacket)(1979)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.

MARYLAND




Lungfish-The Unanimous Hour(Dischord)(1999)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk.



Marginal Man-Identity(Dischord)(1984)

Style Of Punk: Melodic Hardcore, Hardcore, Emo.



Marginal Man-Double Image(Enigma/Gasatanka)(1985)

Style Of Punk: Melodic Hardcore, Emo.



No Trend-Too Many Humans(No Trend)(1983)

Style Of Punk: Noise, Hardcore, No Wave.

WASHINGTON DC




Bad Brains-Self Titled(ROIR)(1982)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Reggae, Dub.



Bad Brains-Rock For Light(PVC)(1983)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Reggae.



Burning Airlines-Mission: Control!(DeSoto)(1999)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk, Alternative Punk.



Circus Lupus-Super Genius(Dischord)(1992)

Style Of Punk: Noise.



Dag Nasty-Can I Say(Dischord)(1986)

Style Of Punk: Melodic Hardcore, Emo.



Dag Nasty-Wig Out At Denko's(Dischord)(1987)

Style Of Punk: Melodic Hardcore, Emo.



Faith/Void-Split(no. 8)(1982)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Fugazi-13 Songs(Dischord)(1989)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk.



Fugazi-Repeater(Dischord)(1990)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk.



Fugazi-Steady Diet Of Nothing(Dischord)(1991)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk, Noise.



Fugazi-In On The Kill Taker(Dischord)(1993)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk, Noise.



Fugazi-Red Medicine(Dischord)(1995)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk, Noise.



Fugazi-End Hits(Dischord)(1998)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk, Experimental.



Fugazi-The Argument(Dischord)(2001)

Style Of Punk: Art Punk, Alternative Punk.






Government Issue-Complete History Vol 1 And 2 Comps(Dr. Strange)(2000/2001)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Iron Cross-Crucified For Our Sins Comp(Lost And Found)(1999)*

Style Of Punk: Oi, Hardcore.

*Please note: This band is not racist they just used fascist imagery in their printed art to create a feeling of menace and oppression.



Minor Threat-Discography Comp(Dischord)(1989)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Monorchid-Let Them Eat...The Monorchid(Simple Machines/Dischord)(1997)

Style Of Punk: Noise.



Monorchid-Who Put Out The Fire?(Touch And Go)(1998)

Style Of Punk: Noise.



Shudder To Think-Curses, Spells, Voodoo, Mooses(Sammich)(1988)

Style Of Punk: Glam Punk, Emo.



Skull Kontrol-Deviate Beyond All Means Of Control(Touch And Go)(1999)

Style Of Punk: Noise.



Skull Kontrol-ZZZZZZ....(Touch And Go)(2000)

Style Of Punk: Noise.



Teen Idles-Minor Disturbance EP(Dischord)(1980)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Youth Brigade-Possible EP(Dischord)(1981)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.

VIRGINIA 




Avail-Satiate(Catheter-Assembly)(1992)

Style Of Punk: Melodic Hardcore, Hardcore.



Avail-Dixie(Lookout!)(1994)

Style Of Punk: Melodic Hardcore, Hardcore.



Avail-4 AM Friday(Lookout!)(1996)

Style Of Punk: Melodic Hardcore, Hardcore.



Born Against-Nine Patriotic Hymns For Children(Vermiform)(1991)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Born Against-Battle Hymns Of The Race War(Vermiform)(1993)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Scream-Still Screaming(Dischord)(1983)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Scream-This Side Up(Sixth International/Dischord)(1985)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Reggae.

NORTH CAROLINA




ANTiSEEN-Honour Among Thieves(Bona Fide/Chopper)(1988)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



ANTiSEEN-Eat More Possum(TPOS)(1993)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.



Catharsis-Samsara(CrimethInc)(1997)

Style Of Punk: Metalcore, Hardcore, Crust.



Catharsis-Passion(CrimethInc)(1999)

Style Of Punk: Crust, Hardcore, Metalcore, Anarcho.



Corrosion Of Conformity-Eye For An Eye(No Core)(1984)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore, Thrashcore.



Corrosion Of Conformity-Animosity(Death/Enigma)(1985)

Style Of Punk: Crossover Thrash, Hardcore.

SOUTH CAROLINA




The Frantics-She's A Drag EP(Wedge)(1996)

Style Of Punk: Hardcore.

GEORGIA




B 52s-Self Titled(Warner Bros.)(1979)

Style Of Punk: New Wave, Surf, Zolo.



The Coathangers-Self Titled(Rob's House/Die Slaughterhaus)(2007)

Style Of Punk: Garage Punk, Riot Grrl.



Pylon-Gyrate(DB Recs)(1980)

Style Of Punk: Dance Punk, Art Punk.



Pylon-Chomp(DB Recs)(1983)

Style Of Punk: New Wave, Dance Punk, Art Punk.

FLORIDA




Against All Authority-Destroy What Destroys You(Far Out)(1995)

Style Of Punk: Ska, Hardcore.



Against Me!-Is Reinventing Axl Rose(No Idea)(2002)

Style Of Punk: Folk Punk.



Against Me!-Searching For A Formal Clarity(Fat Wreck Chords)(2005)

Style Of Punk: Folk Punk.



Combatwoundedveteran-I Know A Girl Who Develops Crime Scene Photos(No Idea)(1999)

Style Of Punk: Grindcore, Noise, Emoviolence, Powerviolence.



Less Than Jake-Losing Streak(Capitol)(1996)

Style Of Punk: Ska, Pop Punk.



Less Than Jake-Hello Rockview(Capitol)(1998)

Style Of Punk: Ska, Pop Punk.

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