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 Early Punk  Before 1985 Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
 Early Punk  Before 1985 Quizzes, Trivia

Early Punk - Before 1985 Trivia

Early Punk - Before 1985 Trivia Quizzes

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25 quizzes and 300 trivia questions.
1.
  Anarchy In The UK! - Punk Rock    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz, one of a series inspired by conversations at work, looks at musical genres from a British perspective. When punk rock exploded onto the British music scene in late 1976 it rocked the musical establishment to its foundations.
Average, 10 Qns, SisterSeagull, Jan 29 16
Average
SisterSeagull gold member
372 plays
2.
  British punk, new wave and beyond   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Mainly early 80s, with a few earlier bits thrown in. Perhaps a weird mixture - it's based on what I liked. Go on - show your age!
Tough, 20 Qns, willuk100, Dec 12 07
Tough
willuk100
2897 plays
3.
  American Punk 1973-82   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
This is the real punk stuff. Who recorded these desperate and beautiful songs?
Tough, 25 Qns, author, Apr 26 23
Tough
author
Apr 26 23
1505 plays
4.
  The Ladies of Punk   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many female musicians played notable roles in the 1970s musical rebellion that was the first wave of punk rock. This quiz covers ten of them, some famous and some obscure.
Average, 10 Qns, bszpak, May 21 14
Average
bszpak
412 plays
5.
  Anarchy In The UK   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This lot were at the forefront of early British Punk...Who played, who stayed, who got kicked out and who kicked the bucket? Find out now...
Tough, 10 Qns, gobstopper68, Jan 16 19
Tough
gobstopper68
Jan 16 19
1235 plays
6.
  UK Punk Rock 1970s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is about some of the bands that changed the charts from 1976 to 1980. They were collectively called punk rockers.
Average, 10 Qns, mnbates, Aug 30 20
Average
mnbates
Aug 30 20
2359 plays
7.
  Punk Rock Quotes IV - the easy one    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you don't know these songs, you're not a punk. So there.
Average, 10 Qns, hootch, Feb 02 19
Average
hootch
Feb 02 19
2159 plays
8.
  Punk Rock Quotes VI - Now More Than Ever   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It's about time we had another punk rock quotes quiz. Maybe you'll learn something from it.
Tough, 10 Qns, hootch, Dec 12 07
Tough
hootch
549 plays
9.
  Eighties US Hardcore    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This should be quite easy if you're a punk.
Tough, 15 Qns, punkrock13, Oct 24 19
Tough
punkrock13
Oct 24 19
742 plays
10.
  Never Mind The Punk Rock Quotes - part V   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Once more into the breach - what famous punk rock songs do these quotes come from?
Tough, 10 Qns, hootch, Jun 18 13
Tough
hootch
567 plays
trivia question Quick Question
The original singer with Buzzcocks left and formed which band?

From Quiz "British punk, new wave and beyond"




11.
  Punk Rock Quotes VII - Fun, Filth & Fury!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
More quotes about buildings and food.
Average, 10 Qns, hootch, May 06 23
Average
hootch
May 06 23
405 plays
12.
  UK Punk 1977    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Here's a little 'how much do you know' about the Golden age of Punk Music...
Tough, 15 Qns, undisputed brock, Aug 15 15
Tough
undisputed brock
1429 plays
13.
  Small Wonder Records   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Patrik Fitzgerald, Bauhaus, The Cure and Crass - all of these extremely influential and innovative icons started their recording careers in Small Wonder. This London record shop ran a small label - come inside and share the memories with me.
Tough, 10 Qns, gentlegiant17, Dec 12 07
Tough
gentlegiant17
336 plays
14.
  1970s British Punk Rock Songs    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I give you a partial lyric from a song and you guess the song name from these British punk bands from the late 70s.
Average, 10 Qns, IggyPop12, Apr 02 19
Average
IggyPop12 gold member
Apr 02 19
261 plays
15.
  New Wave / Post Punk Quotes    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
After numerous punk rock quotes quizzes it's time to move on. The quotes within this quiz all come from songs by bands who were related to the punk rock movement, but got in on the act too late. Mostly late 70s and early 80s.
Difficult, 10 Qns, hootch, Dec 12 07
Difficult
hootch
801 plays
16.
  More 80's Punk/HC    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
More questions to test your knowledge of the 1980's rock beast that inspired the producers of cop shows like "Quincy" and "Hunter" to give crappy mohawks to their villains.
Tough, 15 Qns, scottistoxic, Aug 22 20
Tough
scottistoxic
Aug 22 20
709 plays
17.
  Punk Rock Quotes III - The Revenge    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For 10 questions only, Punk's Not Dead. At all.
Tough, 10 Qns, hootch, Aug 27 24
Tough
hootch
Aug 27 24
526 plays
18.
  80s Punk/HC    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What do you know about early to mid-80s punk and hardcore? See if you can name the band whose albums and songs are listed. Then tell me what all these bands had in common (at least at the time that they recorded these masterpieces!).
Difficult, 10 Qns, scottistoxic, May 02 24
Difficult
scottistoxic
May 02 24
662 plays
19.
  Protopunk - Punk Before Punk Rock   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Between 1974 and 1976, a new form of popular music, punk rock, was being developed. At first, it seemed as though it had sprung up out of nowhere. With the perspective of time, it became clear who some of the influences were.
Tough, 10 Qns, SterlingT, Nov 20 11
Tough
SterlingT gold member
302 plays
20.
  More Punk Rock Quotes    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
After the immense success of my first Punk Rock Quotes quiz a sequel had to happen! And it's a wee bit easier as well, this one.
Average, 10 Qns, hootch, May 13 23
Average
hootch
May 13 23
679 plays
21.
  Punk Music Part 1    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In this quiz you will given the name of a song and will have to answer with the name the band who played it. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, xzaqaz111, Mar 12 17
Average
xzaqaz111
135 plays
22.
  Punk Rock Quotes    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Quotes from songs, etc. Who said what and why or where?
Difficult, 10 Qns, hootch, Dec 12 07
Difficult
hootch
903 plays
23.
  More UK Punk 77    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
For all lovers of the early UK punk scene, this quiz could create some head scatching!
Difficult, 20 Qns, roket555, Feb 22 22
Difficult
roket555
Feb 22 22
676 plays
24.
  Punk Rock    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Get out the glue, and blade your mohawk - here's some punk trivia for you to toss around!
Difficult, 10 Qns, Drewski, Dec 12 07
Difficult
Drewski
2539 plays
25.
  Punk Songs of the 1970s and 1980s    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Welcome! This quiz will test your knowledge of vague punk and post-punk songs of the 1970s and 1980s.
Tough, 10 Qns, spguy, Oct 27 11
Tough
spguy
513 plays

Early Punk - Before 1985 Trivia Questions

1. This band is more famous for hits like "Rock the Casbah". "My baby drove up in a brand new_____"

From Quiz
1970s British Punk Rock Songs

Answer: Cadillac

"Brand New Cadillac" from the third album by the Clash "London Calling". It is track two on side one right after the track "London Calling".

2. What band gave us the song, "Punks Not Dead"?

From Quiz Punk Music Part 1

Answer: Exploited

The title song from the album of the same name. They were in the second wave of punk that brought us what is known as hardcore. And they are considered by some to exemplify the epitome of hardcore punk rock music. They were also known for their hardcore shows.

3. Which item, commonly found in the average home first-aid kit, became an indispensable fashion accessory for any self-respecting punk?

From Quiz Anarchy In The UK! - Punk Rock

Answer: Safety pin

Back in the day, the look of horror on many people's faces after encountering a punk for the first time was clear. Followers of punk would often carry out body piercings by their own hand, inserting any number of safety pins through their ears, lips, noses and even their nipples. Their hair was usually brightly coloured and worn in outlandish styles - the Mohawk/Mohican always proving popular - and their clothes were frequently ripped and held together using leather or cloth straps, zip fasteners and the ubiquitous safety pins.

4. Living creatures have mothers and fathers, but musical genres seem instead to be overflowing with godparents. Iggy Pop is the Godfather of Punk (well, one of them), but who is often called its Godmother?

From Quiz The Ladies of Punk

Answer: Patti Smith

Born in Chicago on December 30, 1946, Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith moved to New York in 1967 and soon became involved with the city's underground artistic culture. She painted, busked, performed in plays, gave public readings of her poetry, and wrote for several rock magazines. She met guitarist, rock critic and record store clerk Lenny Kaye during this time, and on February 10, 1971, she invited him to provide backing music for a poetry reading she gave at St. Mark's Church. Over the next two years, their group evolved into a full band, performing gigs around New York and eventually becoming one the regular acts at the famous CBGB music club. In 1974, they recorded their first single, a cover of the rock standard "Hey Joe". The next year saw the release of Smith's well received debut album, "Horses", which has since been included by both "Rolling Stone" and "Time Magazine" among their respective lists of the greatest albums of all time, and was also preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2009. Smith's later albums include "Easter" (1978), "Wave" (1979), "Dream of Life" (1988) and "Gone Again" (1996).

5. Who sang this and why? "You start a conversation you can't even finish it. You're talkin' a lot, but you're not sayin' anything. When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed. Say something once, why say it again?"

From Quiz Punk Rock Quotes VII - Fun, Filth & Fury!

Answer: "Psycho Killer" - Talking Heads

In 1979 the Boston band The Fools recorded "Psycho Chicken", which was a parody of "Psycho Killer", with clucking noises in the chorus and everything.

6. Who were the owner(s) of the Small Wonder shop and record label?

From Quiz Small Wonder Records

Answer: Pete and Mari Stennett

Pete and Mari had an excellant ear to spot quality in the jungle that was the late 1970s London music scene. They used the then-traditional method of discovering talents, issuing their first few releases, then signing them to major labels (and then came Factory Records in Manchester...).

7. Which band has a song with these lyrics: "No blind spots in the leopard's eyes"?

From Quiz Punk Songs of the 1970s and 1980s

Answer: Wire

Wire recorded this song called "Outdoor Miner" for their album "Chairs Missing" in 1978.

8. Which Glam Rock later Punk band opened their account with the album "White Music"?

From Quiz UK Punk Rock 1970s

Answer: XTC

The much misunderstood XTC are not as lyrically challenged as some of their contemporaries. They still release the occasional record, but apart from their first album are actually closer to late 60's flower-power lyricism and good 'pop' melody.

9. What song by a radical punk rock band is this: "You say, 'God loves you. Come and buy the Good News'. Then you buy the president and swimming pools. If Jesus don't save 'til we're lining your pockets. God must be dead if you're alive."

From Quiz Punk Rock Quotes VI - Now More Than Ever

Answer: "Moral Majority" - Dead Kennedys

"Moral Majority" appeared on the mini album "In God We Trust; Inc.", which also featured "Religious Vomit", a cool version of the "Rawhide" theme and their firm stance about Nazi Punks. Shame the memory of the Dead Kennedys got so desecrated by the band, by reforming with a soap star singer replacement for Jello Biafra. They surely are the 'goons of hazard', indeed.

10. "Now are you ready to grab the cradle. That tunnel vision - not television. Behind the curtain - out of the cupboard. You take the first train into the big world. Now will I find you now will you be there."

From Quiz New Wave / Post Punk Quotes

Answer: "This is Not a Love Song" - Public Image Ltd

Public Image Limited was formed after the Sex Pistols' demise in 1978 by singer John Lydon (aka. Johnny Rotten), dissident Clash guitar player Keith Levene, bass player Jah Wobble (aka. John Wardle) and drummer Jim Walker. When "This is not a Love Song" was released in 1983 - a UK #5 chart smash - nobody was left but Lydon.

11. "Black man gotta lot a problems - But they don't mind throwing a brick. White people go to school - Where they teach you how to be thick. An' everybody's doing - Just what they're told to. An' nobody wants - To go to jail!"

From Quiz Never Mind The Punk Rock Quotes - part V

Answer: "White Riot" - The Clash

After witnessing a riot in Brixton, UK, singer Joe Strummer wondered why black people seemed so much more expressive as far as rioting and protesting went than white people. Hence "White Riot" - no racism intended, just plain jealousy.

12. Who was the lead singer in the Bad Brains?

From Quiz Eighties US Hardcore

Answer: HR

Darby Crash (1958-1980) was in the Germs, Choke was in Negative FX, Last Rights and Slapshot and Roger Miret is the lead singer in Agnostic Front.

13. They were teen shredders from the UK, but they toured all over the US, teaching us how to rock again with releases like "Violent Nun", "Peruvian Vacation", and "Retard Picnic".

From Quiz More 80's Punk/HC

Answer: The Stupids

If I'd mentioned their album "Van Stupid", it would have been too easy.

14. Album and song: Animosity--"Intervention"

From Quiz 80s Punk/HC

Answer: Corrosion of Conformity

You used to see pictures in the metal mags of people like James Hetfield wearing COC t-shirts. These guys from Raleigh, NC were the masters of punk/metal crossover--they came up with brutal metallic riffs that still had a punk edge, and, at least during the 80s, didn't give in to macho metal posturing. Their lyrics ruled too!

15. "I am an antichrist. I am an anarchist. Don't know what I want but I know how to get it. I wanna destroy the passerby."

From Quiz Punk Rock Quotes IV - the easy one

Answer: "Anarchy in the UK" - the Sex Pistols

The ultimate punkrock single. Originally recorded for record company EMI in 1976. But then the Sex Pistols started making headlines in the national tabloid papers and EMI got cold feet. The release of the - already pressed - single was scrapped and the Sex Pistols were kicked off the label. Hence the song 'EMI'.

16. 'You see there's nothing behind me. I'm already a has-been. My future ain't what it was. Well I think I know the words that I mean.' - what legendary song are these lyrics from?

From Quiz Punk Rock Quotes III - The Revenge

Answer: 'Boredom' - Buzzcocks

After the release of their debut mini-album 'Spiral Scratch' singer Howard Devoto left the Buzzcocks, cos he felt they had said everything there was to say. Hard to argue with that as the ep included 'Boredom', one of the most eloquent portrayals of teenage frustration ever. With the greatest two-note guitar solo ever as well. However, after Devoto left, Pete Shelley took over on vocals and the Buzzcocks still managed to release some pretty impressive records. They are still going by the way. Their latest release wasn't too bad either. Nothing to get too excited about. Just fine.

17. 'Dragged on a table in factory. Illegitimate place to be. In a packet in a lavatory. Die little baby screaming.' Lyrics from what song?

From Quiz More Punk Rock Quotes

Answer: 'Bodies' - Sex Pistols

Not so much a cruel anti-abortion song as a paean to a mad fan - Pauline. Could be interpreted as shocking for the sake of it - or a firm stance against the hippies' free love ways. Johnny Rotten's Irish Catholic upbringing might have something to do with it as well - but don't tell him I said that.

18. 'They went down to one of those cheap motels and they got all gushy & wet' - what song are these lyrics from?

From Quiz Punk Rock Quotes

Answer: "Ha Ha Ha" - Flipper

Flipper from San Francisco - one of the most intense punk bands ever. Their late singer Will Shatter scared even Henry Rollins.

19. To begin at the beginning: which single, released in October 1976, is usually quoted as the first British punk record?

From Quiz British punk, new wave and beyond

Answer: 'New Rose' - The Damned

The Damned may not have been the first punk band, but it's reckoned by many that they were the first to get something out on vinyl. The B-side was a cover of the Beatles song 'Help!'

20. In 1977, Mark Perry and his band Alternative TV released the first punk flexi-disc 'Love Lies Limp' in his photocopied fanzine. The band's first proper single release 'How Much Longer' came out on his own independent label called?

From Quiz More UK Punk 77

Answer: Deptford Fun City

Mark Perry championed the early 'Do It Yourself' attitude of Punk, printing 3 simple chords in the pages of his fanzine and encouraging everyone to go out and form a band.

21. Who was the original drummer for the Sex Pistols?

From Quiz Punk Rock

Answer: Paul Cook

Glen Matlock was the original bass player, replaced in 1976-77 by Sid Vicious.

22. This song is from the former singer of the band The Stooges. "I've got a lust for_____"

From Quiz 1970s British Punk Rock Songs

Answer: Life

"Lust for Life", from Iggy Pop's third album "Lust for Life" released in 1979. David Bowie produced and played piano on this album.

23. What band gave us the song, "The Temple Of Love"?

From Quiz Punk Music Part 1

Answer: The Sisters Of Mercy

A quintessential gothic song that was a popular song in the underground club scene. It also received a decent amount of college radio air time. Especially on the late night fringe shows. 1983 release.

24. On its release in 1977, this single caused outrage. Featuring a defaced portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II on the sleeve, it was accused of associating her with fascism. Which single was it that caused such a furor?

From Quiz Anarchy In The UK! - Punk Rock

Answer: God Save The Queen

The record 'God Save the Queen' was released in May 1977 just prior to the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations. Banned almost immediately due to some of its lyrical content which was considered highly offensive at that time, the recording was given no airplay on BBC radio or television and was boycotted by the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Original singles released on the EMI record label can command some very high prices on the record collectors market; mint condition copies have been recorded as reaching an amazing £4000 in value! I was serving overseas during much of Britain's early dalliance with punk and so the movement initially passed me by. I can only begin to imagine what Mary Whitehouse and her cohorts in the National Viewers and Listeners Association thought of the Sex Pistols in particular and of the punk movement on the whole!

25. And what lyrics are these? "Going faster miles an hour. Gonna drive past the Stop N Shop, with the radio on. I'm in love with Massachusetts. And the neon when it's cold outside. And the highway when it's late at night. With the radio on."

From Quiz Punk Rock Quotes VII - Fun, Filth & Fury!

Answer: "Roadrunner" - The Modern Lovers

There's a nice passage in the Sex Pistols' movie (or shambles, if you want) "The Great Rock & Roll Swindle" where the band is playing Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" in the studio. Johnny Rotten keeps shouting it's awful though, and wants them to play "Roadrunner". So in the end the band launch into the Modern Lovers' beloved groove, only for Rotten to realise he doesn't know the lyrics. Only when drummer Paul Cook starts screaming the first lines, Rotten remembers and takes it from there.

26. The "Punk Poet" Patrik Fitzgerald started off his recording career after leaving a cassette at the door of Small Wonder. What is the name of his first EP and its classic title song?

From Quiz Small Wonder Records

Answer: Safety Pin Stuck In My Heart

"I just love you for that beat-beat-beat-beat-beating... I've got a safety pin stuck in my heart for you, for you". Patrik has since tremendously evolved both as a musician and as a songwriter, but the "Punk Poet" label remains much thanks to this beautiful love song for Punk music. For more info on Patrik, please refer to http://www.hanshan.org/musikk/patrik.php

27. Joy Division did a live cover of which Velvet Underground song?

From Quiz Punk Songs of the 1970s and 1980s

Answer: Sister Ray

The live track is off the Joy Division album "Still".

28. Who changed his name from Declan Patrick MacManus?

From Quiz UK Punk Rock 1970s

Answer: Elvis Costello

Rat Scabies (premier drummer with The Damned he alleges) was Christopher Miller, Sid Vicious ('bass player' and vocalist with The Sex Pistols) was John Simon Ritchie-Beverly), Eddie Tenpole (lead singer with Tenpole Tudor) was Edward Tudor-Pole.

29. "Caressing bent up to the jug again. With sheaths and pills. Invading all those stills. In a hovel of a bed. I will scream in vain. Oh please miss Lane. Leave me with some pain."

From Quiz New Wave / Post Punk Quotes

Answer: "Dark Entries" - Bauhaus

Bauhaus were heavily influenced by David Bowie, Roxy Music, T. Rex and The Velvet Underground, which they mixed up with some dark poetry and a bit of drama. Et voila: Goth music was born. Just don't ever call them goths to their face.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:51 AM
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