Punk & New Wave
1977 hardcore, post-punk, and new wave — the guitars that broke the rules. Punk & new wave vinyl at Wax Trax.
Punk & New Wave Vinyl Records
Punk broke loose in 1976–77 on both sides of the Atlantic — the Ramones and Television out of New York, the Sex Pistols and The Clash out of London — stripping rock back to speed, volume, and attitude. What came next splintered fast: the harder, faster American hardcore of Black Flag and Minor Threat; the angular, bass-led post-punk of Wire, Gang of Four and Joy Division; and the synth-smart new wave of Talking Heads, Blondie and Devo. Independent labels carried it — SST, Dischord, Stiff, Rough Trade — and the 7-inch single was as central as the LP.
What You'll Find Here
First-wave punk, hardcore, post-punk and coldwave, and new wave — on LP and a deep section of 7-inch singles, because punk lived on the 45. Plenty here beyond the obvious classics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between punk and new wave?
Punk is the raw, fast, stripped-down sound that broke in 1976–77; new wave grew out of it a few years later, adding synths, pop melody and art-school polish. We carry both, plus the post-punk and hardcore that bridged them.
Are 7-inch punk singles available, not just albums?
Yes — the 7-inch is core to punk and new wave, and we stock singles, EPs and B-sides alongside full LPs.