Henry Rollins - Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86

This playlist was created by Henry Rollins for the Skirball Cultural Center's Outsiders, Outcasts, Rebels + Weirdos: Punk Culture 1976–86 exhibition.

The exhibition traces the connective tissue of punk across key scenes in the United States and the United Kingdom, with a focus on New York, London, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Opening in spring 2026 to mark the 50th anniversary of punk in the United States,* this original exhibition celebrates how a generation of misfits—including Jewish punks—challenged the rules, reimagined community, and helped reshape culture from the margins.

"This playlist is a razor-thin slice of the Punk music scenes happening in Los Angeles, New York City, and London in the late 1970s and early 1980s. All three cities had incredible music, thriving scenes, legendary venues, and a vigorous, independent record label network. These bands burst into the established music universe with no apology. Thankfully, the establishment never recovered. Some people might tell you this music changed their lives. I would be one of them." Henry Rollins