Dubbed by many as the genre for those who can’t play guitar or sing and have a desire to write about cigarettes, alcoholism, and overthrowing the state, folk punk is a very intriguing genre. Beyond just the oddities of the aesthetics of the genre, the sound is also unique. It is a combination of the simple low fidelity of folk with the lyrical content and ethos of punk that manifests in a unique sound of acoustic-backed anger.
A Very Brief History of Folk Punk
Initially, folk punk started as more of just acoustic punk. Punk bands throughout the 80s and 90s would throw one or two acoustic songs on their releases that were definitely still punk songs but just in an acoustic form. However, in the early 2000s, Pan-It-X records started, and this really helped the folk punk scene flourish. The consolidation of a plethora of artists helped cultivate the communal nature of the folk elements of the music and further bolstered the scene as one filled with many talented and well-renowned artists. After this initial expansion, the folk punk scene mostly died down, but there are still many folk punk bands producing music today.
Album 1: Fight Like Hell by Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains
Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains’ lead singer Pat the Bunny is arguably the most famous folk punk musician and is often regarded as the hero of folk punk. Not only did he help define and expand the genre, but he also served as an amazing member of the community. Any folk punk list would be incomplete without an entry from Pat, and there is no better release to demonstrate both his personal prowess and the phenomena that is folk punk than his first ever release, Fight Like Hell.
Album 2: Crime as Forgive by Against Me! by Against Me!
Although Against Me! has since moved on from their folk punk roots and has found immense popularity through their amazing later releases like Transgender Dysphoria Blues, their debut LP is an excellent example of a slightly more polished rendition of folk punk. Although it was still very much a DIY record that was recorded using old instruments from pawn shops and distributed through an independent label, this album is a little less abrasive than most folk punk. Some people prefer this because it is an easier listen; others dislike it because it is a deviation from the core folk punk sound. Ultimately though, this record is one of the best folk punk releases of all time.
Album 3: People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World by AJJ
Being released a little later than the previous two entries on this list, People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World is the least punk album on this list. It could be argued that it is closer to indie folk than folk punk, but culturally, it is still definitively within the realm of folk punk. The punk-ness of this album is definitely still present on several of the songs due to their politically charged lyrics, but the real charm of this album comes from its sing-along nature. I especially love singing along to “A Song Dedicated to the Memory of Stormy the Rabbit” with its cute glockenspiel opening line and fun alliteration within its lyrics.
Album 4: Songs for Lovers and Tear Gas by Ash Bricky
This album is much newer than the rest of the list as it was released in 2021 rather than in the early to mid 2000s. The sound of this album preserves the classic sound of folk punk well, but the main appeal of this newer release is its ability to leverage more modern political examples. Previous folk punk records can sometimes feel dated as the political references are clearly from Bush-era America, but a current release such as this is able to break free from that dated feeling. Obviously, this album will still run into the same problem of feeling dated when the political focus once again shifts, but for now, this is an extremely relevant folk punk record that is just a joy to listen to.