The punk movement started off as an underground movement and today there are many famous punk bands like Green Day, Bad Religion, Sum 41, Simple Plan, Yellowcard and Good Charlotte that have made millions by commercially selling records. It all started in the 1960’s and was highly disapproved by the older generation. Today it is one of the classic genres of music. The famous critic, Jon Savage once even referred to the Sex Pistols, spearheaded by Johnny Rotten, as one of the greatest punk bands in history.

During 1976–77, it got more recognition during the original UK punk band movement when Manchester’s Joy Division, The Fall, and Magazine, Leeds' Gang of Four, and London's The Raincoats emerged. It also gave rise to many sub genres like New wave, Post punk, Hardcore, Oi!, Anarcho punk, pop-punk and even alternative rock. Slowly the alternative rock scene started growing with bands like The Nirvana emerging. Many of the hardcore rock stars of the 1990’s acknowledged the strong influence from the earlier punk bands. With the success of those bands many major record companies once again viewed punk bands as potentially profitable.

It wasn’t long before Green Day sold out 8 million albums and various new punk bands came onto the scene. Enema of the State by Blink 182 sold out 4 million copies and hit billboard top 10, the other bands like sum 41, simple plan and yellow card achieved major sales in U.S, UK and other countries all around the world. American Idiot by Green Day went to number 1, on both the US and UK charts. In 2004 and 2007 Jimmy Eat World had the top ten albums in the pop punk band style and Fall Out Boy, with Infinity On High hit the number 1 spot.