| Classifying punk is stupid.
The Sex Pistols were on a major and Malcolm Mclaren dressed them in clothes from his clothing store (called SEX) to sell more clothes.
The Ramones were from the suburbs.
If you're going to say punk is about rejecting authority, major labels, fashion, being poor and angry then there is a problem reconciling that with the above.
Then you get into pop-punk and the question is does dying your hair red and singing songs about masturbating, parties and girl friends equate to punk.
Then there left leaning music that may or may not be loud and abrasive but is commonly considered punk.
The label used to mean something, whatever that may be, but its been so watered down and overused that now it doesnt really represent anything meaningful, much like happened with Emo. Back in the day bands like pg. 99 and city of caterpillar were emo and now bright eyes, dashboard and anyone that sings about relationships is...listen to some pg. 99.
With that in mind, as for some bands that are commonly considered "punk" and worth listening to
Fugazi (surprised no one has mentioned them)
Bad Brains
Strike Anywhere (old stuff)
Fifteen
The Dwarves
Choking Victim/Leftover Crack
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Destroyer
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