Best Cover Song Albums by Punk Bands

"Music is culture," says music and CD distribution service LaLa.com. And while music is culture, each genre of music is so different that you could easily classify it as a culture on its own. Take Woodstock as an example: The Woodstock scene had its own vibe, its own feeling; its own culture. Those who were into it could easily be distinguished from lovers of other types of music in the way that they dressed or spoke.

The same goes for the punk music scene, which started in grungy underground clubs in places like Seattle, Washington. The punk music scene has long scene itself as an anti-mainstream, rebellious genre. Its bands have embraced alternative lifestyles and different clothing styles, and have often been viewed as being somewhat extreme and radical.

The same goes for their music: The angry guitar riffs, the screaming or heart wrenching vocals pouring over with teen angst; all of this has helped set punk music apart from, say, Simon and Garfunkle or Madonna.

Thus, the slew of punk bands that cover more "mainstream" music is interesting. In fact, there are several compilation music albums that collect all of these punk band covers into easily accessible

Today, we'll be reviewing a handful of these albums and telling you exactly what covers are worth buying and which punk bands should be left by the wayside.

Punk Goes 80s

Artist: Various Artists - Fearless Records
Release Date: June 7, 2005
Genre: Alternative/PunkStyles: PunkLabel: Fearless Records

Manic Monday by Relient K

I Ran by Hidden in Plain View

Your Love by Midtown

I Melt With You by Sugarcult

Don't You Forget About Me by RUFIO

Pop Song 89 by Motion City Soundtrack

Holding Out For A Hero by Emery

Just Like Heaven by Gatsby's American Dream

Power of Love by The Early November

Straight Up by Halifax

Dead Man's Party by A Thorn for Every Heat

Wrapped Around Your Finger by Brazil (Fearless)

Forever Young by So They Say

Everyone Wants To Rule The World by Jamison Parker

Video Killed The Radio Star by Amber Pacific

Review: The best covers are those where the punk band covering the song take the original and run with it. I mean, why listen to a music cover that sounds almost exactly like the original? Therefore, one of the best covers on this CD is the cover of the Bangles' "Manic Monday" performed by Christian punk band Relient K. Similarly, Tears for Fears' "Everyone Wants to Rule the World" by Jamison Parker.

Punk Goes Metal

Artist: Various Artists - Fearless Records
Release Date: August 1, 2000
Genre: Alternative/PunkStyles: PunkLabel: Fearless Records, Metal

Breaking The Law by Divit

Talking Dirty to Me by Jughead's Revenge

My Michelle by AFI

War Ensemble by Bigwig

Heaven Isn't Too Far Away by A New Found Glory

Bark At The Moon by Strung Out

I Remember You by the Ataris

Harvester of Sorrow by Link 80

Sexual Abuse by Guttermouth

TNT by Dynamite Boy

Little Fighter by Death By Stereo

Youth Gone Wild by Swindle

I Don't Know by Turnedown

Looks That Kill by Diselboy

Holy Wars by Rx Bandits

Love Song by Ten Foot Pole

Why Rock by the Aquabats

Review: This is probably one of the best punk band cover compilations available. Fearless Records takes 17 well-known punk bands and have them cover heavy metal classics with the expected punk-band twists. AFI's punk cover of "My Michelle" is amazing: Havoc, AFI's lead singer, takes My Michelle to new heights with his signature voice. Similarly, Dynamite Boy infuses typical punk energy into "TNT," making it a punk anthem of its own.

Summary of Reviews: Both of these CDs are exceptionally fun, giving 80s and metal music some punk music infusion. However, the very best songs are by Relient K (Manic Monday), Tears for Fears (Everyone Wants to Rule the World), AFI (My Michelle) and Dynamite Boy (TNT).

If punk has to go mainstream, this is probably the best way for them to do it while keeping their typical punk music rebellion.