10 Greatest British Hard Rock Bands

The entire punk rock community began as a healthy exchange of anarchy between the UK and America. Even though the Ramones were lighting up the streets of New York with their three chord anthems, the Sex Pistols were right alongside them across the pond, giving a snide attitude to the typical rock formula. Many may have been there to provoke, but the Clash made sure their albums were more than just music.

While every punk rock release centered around the theme of rebellion, the topics the Clash would touch on are still incredibly powerful today, from the call to arms of "White Riot" to the disaffected ode to consumerism of "Lost In the Supermarket." The amount of sloganeering that they covered may seem a bit much, but they always made up for it with some of the most infectious melodies in the scene.

Even if you aren't as comfortable with something as blatantly political as "Rock the Casbah," it's nearly impossible to listen to it whilst standing still. Punk rock was always meant to be outsider music, but whereas the Sex Pistols told you to destroy, the Clash were calling you to rise from your everyday life and take action. It may give you something to headbang to, but the depth behind the Clash goes far beyond just a handful of chords.