Garage punk (fusion genre)

Garage punk is a fusion genre that combines elements of garage rock and punk rock. It is generally characterized by a raw, energetic sound, often featuring distorted guitars, aggressive vocals, and a DIY aesthetic.

While the terms "garage rock" and "punk rock" are sometimes used interchangeably, garage punk typically sits in a sonic space between the two. It often leans more heavily on the aggressive energy and rebellious attitude of punk than traditional garage rock, while retaining the lo-fi production and raw instrumentation associated with the garage sound.

Key characteristics of garage punk include:

• Raw Production: Often recorded with minimal equipment, emphasizing a lo-fi, unpolished sound.
• Distorted Guitars: Fuzz and other distortion effects are common, contributing to the genre's aggressive tone.
• Fast Tempo: Songs are generally played at a rapid pace, reflecting the energetic nature of both garage rock and punk.
• Simple Song Structures: Often utilizes basic chord progressions and straightforward song arrangements.
• DIY Ethos: Bands often embrace a do-it-yourself approach to recording, promotion, and touring.
• Aggressive Vocals: Vocals may be shouted, screamed, or delivered with a raw, unpolished quality.

Garage punk emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, drawing influence from the original garage rock bands of the 1960s and the burgeoning punk rock scene. It has experienced various revivals and subgenres throughout its history, and continues to be a vital force in underground music scenes around the world.