Did Punk Really Die in 1978? The Truth Behind the Myth

This episode unpacks the claim that punk collapsed after 1978 by tracing how bands, scenes, labels, and DIY networks continued to evolve across the U.S., UK, and beyond. We dig into the economic, cultural, and musical forces that kept punk alive—showing how underground infrastructure adapted, how major label interest intersected with indie ethics, and how regional variations fed new waves of hardcore, post‑punk, and pop‑punk. By looking at documented touring schedules, press releases, fanzine debates, and independent pressings, we separate myth from evidence to reveal punk’s true trajectory during the late ’70s and early ’80s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices