Although it took a long time for it to become established in the mainstream of themusicindustry,many albums define the early years of pop-punk. They stand out in the same way that some vital10/10 records helped shape the metal genre. These foundational pieces are important as they show what can be possible with a certain style. In the case of pop-punk, it didn’t develop overnight; it took a long time for it to be perfectly crafted.

Before bands such asParamore could change pop-punk for the better, the genre had to be born out of other categories, such as punk. Even bands likeThe Cure, who were masters of gothic rock, had a heavy influence on these early stages. Of course, now in the 21st century, there are numerous examples of great pop-punk, but it wasn’t always that way. For years,only a few bands highlighted what it could be before it caught on in a major way.

10Hypnotised (1980)

Artist: The Undertones

In the early stages of pop punk, one of the first bands shaping the genre was The Undertones. After exploring the possibilities with their debut album in 1979, they returned in 1980 with their sophomore record,Hypnotised. The original record featured15 tracks across two different sides. Eventually, a CD was released containing bonus material.

From this record, some original songs that caught people’s attention were “My Perfect Cousin,” which showcased more of the pop side, and “Wednesday Week,” which showcased more rock. Additionally,they created their own version of the 1964 song, “Under the Boardwalk,“which has been covered by many artists, including The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys.

9Bowling For Soup (1994)

Artist: Bowling For Soup

With songs such as “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” and “1985,” Bowling for Soup has become one of the iconic bands in pop-punk. Their beginnings can be traced back to their self-titled debut record, which was released in 1994. This is where fans were first introduced to the bandwith the 15-track album that was nearly 54 minutes long.

Among the most important songs was “Thirteen,” which even featured a music video.

Among the most important songs was “Thirteen,” which even featured a music video. This showcased the young band performing the song at different locations,now becoming a nostalgic piece of their history. The album would eventually be digitally remastered in 2011, giving fans another chance to hear it years after the band found their biggest success.

8Unfun (1990)

Artist: Jawbreaker

Although the initial run of Jawbreaker lasted less than ten years, the band still made a significant impact on the early days of pop-punk. In the ’90s, they released four albums, including their debut in 1990,Unfun.The twelve tracks across the two sides showed prime examples of pop-punk, along with some other punk genres.

This record reminded many listeners of the Descendents, a punk band that formed nine years before Jawbreaker. Eventually, this album was re-issued in CD form and also received a remastered version in 2010. On the CD, three tracks from the band’s 1989 EP,7, were included. The remastered version also treated fans by including an additional bonus track.

7Smash (1994)

Artist: The Offspring

After perfecting their sound over their first couple of releases, the Offspring debuted their third studio album,Smash, in 1994.This reached as high as number four on theBillboardHot 100and showed that the band would be a major player going forward. On this record were some of their most well-known songs, including “Self-Esteem” and “Come Out and Play.”

Even at the year’s end, the album would remain one of the most coveted releases on the Hot 100, cracking the Top 40.This became an integral part of paving the way for the eventual takeover of pop-punkthat was just around the corner. Over the years, this record has maintained its prestige and has reached 6x platinum status, marking one of the band’s greatest achievements.

6Lick (1989)

Artist: The Lemonheads

After forming in 1986, The Lemonheads were already on their third studio album when their 1989 release,Lick, debuted. One of the most important aspects of the album was thatit was the last to feature a founding member of the band, Ben Deily. He was an essential part of the band’s early success, playing guitar, piano, and lending occasional lead vocals.

This album became a perfect example of early pop-punk, as the band put a heavy emphasis on making the genre a focal point.

This album became a perfect example of early pop-punk, as the band put a heavy emphasis on making the genre a focal point.The 13 tracks were of varying lengths, with the shortest lasting less than a minute and a half. However, this was an important piece, as many pop-punks have used this technique over the years, choosing quality over quantity.

539/Smooth (1990)

Artist: Green Day

With how ingrained they have become in pop culture, Green Day’s debut album, 39/Smooth, is a very important piece of music history. Although this was the only album without drummer Tré Cool,it still provided a good perspective on everything the band could be, with songs such as “I Was There” and “Paper Lanterns.”

For this record, the band tapped into three genres they have utilized to their advantage over the years: pop-punk, punk rock, and skate punk. Originally, the album contained 10 tracks, but it would eventually receive more asit was combined with two of their early EPs to create the compilation record,1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours, in 1991.

4Batch (1991)

Artist: Big Drill Car

There are many things that stand out about Big Drill Car’s 1991 album,Batch. In the historical context of the band,it is the last to feature the original lineup. However, it was a memorable record for the originals to end on, as it was praised for its riffs and rhythms. The band demonstrated tremendous skill, utilizing both pop-punk and punk rock.

Out of the 10 tracks on the record, one of the biggest standouts was their cover of the Devo song, “Freedom of Choice.” The song was originally the title track for Devo’s 1980 album, but it matched well with Batch, as it was a punk rock tune. Although the band’s short time together prevented them from creating more,this record will always be an important part of their history.

3Cheshire Cat (1995)

Before they were household names and pop-punk royalty, Blink-182 were an up-and-coming band trying to make their mark on the industry. Although they had previously released some demos,Cheshire Catis considered their first official studio album. It may not have impacted the charts, but it got the band’s name out there, asit was key in establishing their early sound.

Impressively, the album features 16 tracks,with some of the most important being “Carousel,” “Wasting Time,” and “M+M’s.“The record helped the band expand beyond their hometown roots, allowing them to tour and promote their name. It wouldn’t be long after this that they would become megastars, but this will always be part of their foundation.

2Boogadaboogadaboogada! (1988)

Artist: Screeching Weasel

Although Screeching Weasel has been on and off many times since their initial formation in 1986, the band has still managed to create an impressive 14 studio albums. One of the most important was their second studio album, Boogadaboogadaboogada!. Not only is the name memorable, butit showcases a punk sound that the band would later tap into.

You can feel the pop-punk style shine through lead singer Ben Weasel’s vocals.

This is not an album that lasts very long;it’s a fast listen with nothing over three minutes. In fact, the shortest track is only 11 seconds long on the remastered version. Even so, the songs still make an impact, and you can feel the pop-punk style shine through lead singer Ben Weasel’s vocals. The album demonstrated many techniques and served as a good learning tool for those in the scene.

1Singles Going Steady (1979)

Artist: Buzzcocks

One of the earliest bands to incorporate pop-punk into their sound was the Buzzcocks. Their compilation album,Singles Going Steady, released in 1979,was a perfect example of how they used the genre to their advantage. Immediately, the band received praise for this record and were credited for their early use of pop.

The band set the stage for others, andthe effort they put in has been appreciated over the years.Rolling Stone Magazinehas even listed it among the 500 greatest albums of all time. The original release only had eight tracks, but they made every second count. Their songwriting has been continuously credited for its deep dive into love.