How can you tell if a certain band is pop-punk or real punk?

Question

For example, My Chemical Romance, and Bad Religion.

What makes Bad Religion REAL Punk rock?
Is it because of the instruments?
Maybe the meanings of the songs?


Please try to be as detailed as possible.

Thank you. :D

Answer 1

you can usually tell by airplay bands that get tons of airplay i.e. MCR and Fall out boy are pop punk catchy tunes with songs about break ups and crushes
and real punk hardly ever gets played and they usually talk about drugs, sex, political stances and whatnot
hope that helps and if you want some good punk bands both classic and modern contact me

Answer 2

Real punk is just punk that isn't played as often on the radio (or not at all) because they haven't been signed by a major label. You know when a "real" punk band is good when everyone wants to listen to them. Most punk music doesn't translate well to recording because the essence of the genre is in the way it's played and perfomed. A group of preppie 40 somethings can RECORD punk, but it won't be punk. Frankly, some of the bands people call "real punk" are just so out there that most people can't appreciate themjust by hearing them... Groups like the Yeah Yeahs have a small, loyal following, true, but many people just can't get them, until they've seen them live or on a video recording of a concert.

Answer 3

A lot of what makes Punk music, punk, is attitude towards mainstream music, the "establishment", and major labels. The Sex Pistols are punk all the way. If you don't know their music, you should. Pop/punk are people trying to be punk, but leaving their indie roots.

Answer 4

look up the bands on wikipedia.org, it will have a listing of all the genres that they have been called and most of the genres will be a blue color meaning you can click on it and it will go to a page about that genre..