Forming (song)

"Forming" is the debut single by the British punk rock band The Germs, released in July 1977 on the record label What?. It is considered a seminal recording in the early Los Angeles punk scene.

The song is known for its raw, energetic sound and Darby Crash's confrontational lyrics. The recording quality is deliberately lo-fi, contributing to the song's overall abrasive and chaotic feel. "Forming" encapsulates the band's initial garage punk aesthetic before they moved towards a slightly more polished sound on their later recordings.

The lyrics primarily concern the band's formation and identity, referencing their chaotic rehearsals and rejection of mainstream societal norms. The repetitive chorus emphasizes the act of "forming" as a continuous process of self-creation and resistance.

The single is often cited as a key influence on subsequent punk and hardcore bands. It remains a popular and influential track within the punk rock community, representing the raw and uncompromising energy of the early Los Angeles punk scene.