Nardcore Guide

Nardcore is a subgenre of punk rock that originated in the 1980s in Oxnard, California, a city located about 60 miles north of Los Angeles. Nardcore is characterized by its fast, aggressive sound, humorous and often absurd lyrics, and a do-it-yourself ethic.

One of the most notable characteristics of Nardcore is its use of humor and absurdity in its lyrics. Nardcore bands often sing about topics that are considered taboo or offensive, such as drugs, sex, and violence. They also frequently use humor to poke fun at themselves and the punk scene in general.

Another defining characteristic of Nardcore is its do-it-yourself ethic. Nardcore bands typically record and release their own music, and they often book their own shows and tours. This DIY ethic is a reflection of the punk scene's anti-establishment ethos, and it has helped to keep Nardcore a vital and independent subgenre of punk rock.

Despite its popularity in Oxnard, Nardcore has never achieved mainstream success. However, it has inspired a number of other punk subgenres, such as skate punk and pop punk. Nardcore bands have also toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and they have helped to spread the Nardcore sound to a wider audience.

Some of the most notable Nardcore bands include:

• Channel 3
• Dr. Know
• 45 Grave
• The Descendents
• The Offspring
• Pennywise
• NOFX
• Rancid
• The Vandals

The History Of Nardcore

• Origins in Oxnard, California and Its Garage Punk Roots Nardcore emerged in the early 1980s in Oxnard, California, a city located about an hour northwest of Los Angeles. It was a response to the perceived commercialization and stagnation of the punk scene at the time. Nardcore bands drew inspiration from the raw energy and DIY ethos of early punk, as well as from the garage punk sounds of the 1960s. Notable influences include The Seeds, The Standells, and The Stooges.

• The First Wave of Nardcore Bands and Their Sound The first wave of Nardcore bands included The Crowd, who are often considered the pioneers of the genre, as well as The Offenders, Dr. Know, and Agent Orange. These bands were characterized by their fast-paced, aggressive sound, often played at breakneck speeds with distorted guitars and shouted vocals. Nardcore also embraced a sense of humor and absurdity, reflected in their lyrics and stage antics.

• The Spread of Nardcore through Compilation Albums and Independent Labels Nardcore's popularity grew beyond Oxnard thanks to the release of compilation albums such as "The Nardcore Sampler" (1984) and "Nardcore Hits" (1986). These compilations featured tracks from various Nardcore bands and helped to introduce the genre to a wider audience. Independent labels like Mystic Records, Pusmort Records, and BYO Records played a crucial role in releasing Nardcore records and promoting the scene.

• Nardcore's Influence on Other Punk Subgenres and the DIY Ethos Nardcore's raw and energetic sound influenced other punk subgenres, including skate punk, hardcore punk, and pop punk. Bands like The Offspring, Pennywise, and Rancid all acknowledged the impact of Nardcore on their music. Nardcore also embodied the DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos, with bands often booking their own shows, producing and distributing their own records, and creating their own zines. This approach contributed to Nardcore's authenticity and underground appeal.

• Decline and Resurgence of Nardcore in Subsequent Years While Nardcore's popularity waned somewhat in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it continued to have a dedicated following. There was a resurgence of interest in Nardcore in the late '90s and early 2000s, with new bands emerging and established acts continuing to release music. Today, Nardcore remains a small but vibrant subgenre of punk rock, with festivals and events dedicated to its unique blend of energy, humor, and musicality.

Nardcore Band

• Agnostic Front
• Adolescents
• Agent Orange
• The Angry Samoans
• Bad Religion
• Black Flag
• Circle Jerks
• Conflict
• Dead Kennedys
• Descendents
• The Exploited
• Fear
• Germs
• Government Issue
• Infest
• JFA
• The Offspring
• NOFX
• Pennywise
• The Queers
• Rancid
• Social Distortion
• Suicidal Tendencies
• TSOL
• Vandals