Before the Ramones, the Clash and the Sex Pistols defined what we know as punk rock, there were the pioneering groups that preceded them—the ones who blew the 60s cultural revolution wide open. These bands fell in love with the sound of distortion, turned up the amps to 11, and delivered it all with a middle finger salute leading to the attitude and modern sound of punk rock, hardcore, emo and metal.

• The New York Dolls - Jet Boy
• Iggy Pop - No Fun
• The Count Five - Psychotic Reaction
• Kingsmen - Louie Louie
• The 13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me
• The Modern Lovers - Roadrunner
• The Velvet Underground - Run Run Run
• The Fugs - Group Grope
• MC5 - Kick Out The Jams
• The Troggs - I Want You
• Sonics, The - Strychnine
• Pretty Things - Roadrunner
• Silver Apples - Program
• The Seeds - Pushing too hard
• Standells - Dirty Water