Top 10 Guitarists
Top 10 Punk Guitarists
I like doing these lists. I like pulling out old albums, and remembering the pieces of music that shaped my youth. The lyrics that made me think, the guitar riffs that I’d hum during class when I should’ve been taking a test, the logos I’d draw on my notebook. I love it all, but I loathe the snooty comments when I don’t include the D.C. bands. Sure Bad Brains are supposed to be worshipped, and any project Ian MacKaye worked with should be included in all new printings of the Bible, but since I didn’t really dig these bands as a kid it would be stupid to include them in my list. So, if after reading my list you find yourself reaching for your Prozac bottle, sorry.
My definition of punk has always been a bit different than a lot of these “authorities.” In the sense that punk was something, to me, that anyone could do, and it usually sounded like it. So, when I put Greg Ginn at number one, it doesn’t mean he was better than the dude from Bad Brains, it means he completely captured the “garage punk” sound. The incredible feedback, the screeching. It was nothing, but punk.
Number 10
Johnny Ramone
The man band some of the coolest sing-a-longs ever. More or less, the Godfather of punk guitar.
Number 9
Greg Hetson
The stuff he did on the Group Sex album is some of the best punk ever recorded. And the work on the first Bad Religion album was top notch, too.
Number 8
Joe Strummer
I don’t know how Joe ranked on a technical basis, but he was cool, and passionate about his craft. RIP.
Number 7
Brett Gurewitz
I’m listing him based on the Bad Religion EP, and first album alone, not as a businessman or what he became as a guitarist. I dug his early sound.
Number 6
Captain Sensible
He was fun, I remember watching his WOT video on MTV in the early ‘80’s.
Number 5
Pat Smear
He is the punk rock version of Robert Johnson. He sucked, made a deal with the devil, and made a brilliant album with the Germs.
Number 4
Steve Jones
Great guitarist, punk or rock. Dug him live and on vinyl. Taught Andy Taylor of Duran Duran to play with an attitude.
Number 3
Ron Emory
Dance With Me, do I need to say more?
Number 2
Rikk Agnew
Every band he’s been in has gone on to success. He doesn’t seem to stay around too long, but he’s great. I’m not including him just because of the crazy email I received, from the perturbed groupie.
Number 1
Greg Ginn
I loved the beginning of any Black Flag song, the sound of the guitar turning on, and the feedback, then Greg’s crunching notes, only to be matched by the howling vocals of whatever singer they had.
Honorable Mentions: Brian Baker, Steve Jones of The Stepmothers, Mick Jones, etc.
These are my choices, I’m sticking to them, but I’d love to see some feedback, the comments section doesn’t get enough action or debates, let’s hear something. Come on, whine for me, and tell me “why isn’t Canada represented?” Tell me “Joey Shithead was the greatest guitar player ever?” Aw, go powder your behind.
Where are the Grrrls?
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pmGreetings Mike,
As usual I love your tales of days past and I think you do a decent job in stirring the pot with your lists. Agree or not, it is how you feel as an individual and what kept you listening to the music we all seem to really enjoy be it in thepast or current (and I appreciate that from you and the others who post). That being said, I would at least like to add to the list:
East Bay Ray (DK’s): Just listen to Plastic Surgery Disasters. Great guitar changes and for the most part, kinda a change from most of the “formula-matic” HC during that time period.
Dollface brins up a good point, what about the Girls. Joan Jett gets my vote here, attitude and she has chops. In addition to producing the great GI album (although that can be debatable if you have read the Darby Crash bio)
Bob Mould (Husker Du): Zen Arcade speaks volumes at least to me.
King Buzzo (Melvins): Heavy Heavy Heavy.
Wright Bros. (NoMeansNo): Both play all instruments and with quality.
There ya have it. Steve Albini also in that list. Again, I like the topics you present, right or wrong, it stirs debate and that my friend is what punk is all about.
Peace out,
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:36 pmDrew Lush
PS:is the Punk Con still a go? Live in Bakersfield and am looking forward to checking this out.
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 pmThe fact that 20 years on people still debate over whether Greg Ginn was a genius or an idiot savant tells you that at least he was doing something DIFFERENT. Most bands failed to grow musically past their debut albums, and those that did turned into unholy metal or prog rock jokes by the middle of the decade (see TSOL, Bad Religion, Channel 3, Circle Jerks, Social Distortion in their ill-fated “Bluegrass” period, etc.), but Black Flag, and Ginn in particular, continued to churn out challenging music right to the bitter end. Side two of My War is about as “hardcore” as guitar playing gets, kiddies.
Personally, I would add Ted Falconi from Flipper and Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers to the list for elevating punk guitar playing beyond the Johnny Thunders-worship jackoffery and making some truly fucked up noise.
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:38 pmGuys:
Love the feedback, every time I do a list, somebody adds a name I blanked on. I dig seeing who people would select as their favorites, we were all into the same music, but depending on when you got into it, or where you lived your “punk” experience is 100% different than a guy who lived 20 miles from you. Too cool.
Mike E.
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:13 pmI’ll probably get mocked for this, but since “fun” seems to be something you find important, as do I, Warren Fitzgerald from the Vandals (& Oingo Boingo) deserves a mention. The guys is a great guitarist, and never misses a beat while falling down and jumping around and being the spaz he is.
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:35 pmThere are no good “punk” guitarists, because PUNK SUCKS!
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:50 pmAnoher thought….
Billy Zoom IMHO should also represent a top 10 punk guitar list
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:05 amHow come Mick Jones is never mentioned for his God like guitar playing?? Fabulous. Stan Lee of the Dickies. Philo of FEAR. Thank God someone mentioned Joan Jett. Female guitarists?? How about Lunachicks?? Those girls fucking used to tear it up. I still think…PUNK SUCKS, how about you? Feedback anyone.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:43 pmi love your top 10 lists, how about best logo’s or songwriters? i couldnt list 10 but bones in discharge blew my ears out when i first heard them.
February 25th, 2009 at 2:05 amBob Stinson of the Mats. His work on Let It Be is unparalleled.
February 25th, 2009 at 3:16 pmChris from Battalion of Saints!!! (RIP)That guy was incredible. Mike Fox of Tools, C.O.H and Sick Pleasure was fucking incredible too. The guy in the Zero Boys was great too(RIP). I could go on forever and ever. Stinson was outstanding as well, Kent.
February 25th, 2009 at 8:21 pmWhat!
No Brian James (Damned) Brian Baker (Minor Threat Dag Nasty Meatmen Doggy Style Bad Religion), Tom Lyle (Government Issue) , Lyle Preslar (Minor Threat Meatmen) Ron Asheton (Stooges) Bobby Adams (7 Seconds) Chris Bald (Ignition Embrace)
J.Robbins (Jawbox) all worth the mention!
This list you have created has left me sad I must go now!
Ron Emery – Come On the REVENGE album need I say more!!!!
February 26th, 2009 at 9:21 amtheonlytruepunk:
I agree Chris Smith was pretty great, but he didn’t make my top ten.
Chaos Radio:
I thought I was going to get to do a top ten list without somebody crying over a D.C. band, maybe next year. You’re right about the Revenge album, it blew.
kokoro:
Your idea about a logo list is genius. I’ll do it soon.
It doesn’t suck being me,
Mike E.
February 26th, 2009 at 7:50 pmHow about the guitar player for the Frigidettes? Hahahahahaha…just kidding. That is the worst guitar player and worst band ever.
February 26th, 2009 at 9:34 pmAll of the guitarists you picked wrote the songs that put their bands on the map. There may be many more better guitarists you didn’t name, but with mediocre songs, it hardly matters.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:53 pmOh guys – how can you forget JOHNNY THUNDERS?? Unforgiveable!! And WIPERS Greg Sage? Ed Kuepper (SAINTS) must be considered too I reckon.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 pmBubba Dupree (VOID)
March 17th, 2009 at 6:24 pmaw…
April 1st, 2009 at 10:33 pmno East Bay Ray?
I mean sure he sold out, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know his way around the fret bored.
Johnny Thunders.
April 7th, 2009 at 12:41 am