Q 01/05

Which Bolton band, formed in 1976 by Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto, laid the groundwork for pop punk?

A) The Undertones

B) The Jam

C) Stiff Little Fingers

D) Buzzcocks

Answer · why

D) Buzzcocks

Devoto left within a year to form Magazine. Their 1978 single 'Ever Fallen in Love' was written after half-watching Guys and Dolls in a guest-house TV...

Q 02/05

The Ramones all took the surname Ramone in tribute to a pseudonym once used by which musician?

A) Lou Reed

B) Iggy Pop

C) David Bowie

D) Paul McCartney

Answer · why

D) Paul McCartney

He had called himself Paul Ramon in the Silver Beetles days. None of the four Ramones were related, and they played 2,263 shows in 22 years.

Q 03/05

Which Milo Aukerman-fronted Manhattan Beach band, formed as a surf-punk act in 1977, is a key pop punk influence?

A) Bad Religion

B) Social Distortion

C) The Vandals

D) Descendents

Answer · why

D) Descendents

Aukerman joined in 1979 and later split time between the band and a career as a biochemist, hence the album title Milo Goes to College.

Q 04/05

In which small California town was Green Day formed in 1987?

A) Berkeley

B) Oakland

C) Rodeo

D) Petaluma

Answer · why

C) Rodeo

Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt were 15. They played as Sweet Children before taking the Green Day name in 1989.

Q 05/05

What was Green Day called before adopting the Green Day name in 1989?

A) Desecrated Youth

B) The Lookouts

C) Pinhead Gunpowder

D) Sweet Children

Answer · why

D) Sweet Children

Their early records came out on the Berkeley indie Lookout!, and they cut their teeth at the 924 Gilman Street club.