Sex Pistols lead singer Johnny Rotten left the legendary punk band in 1978 and went on to form one of the first post-punk groups Public Image Ltd. John's idea was to experiment and to defy category. Ironically this led to the formation of a new label, a new genre called post-punk whose songs ranged from experimental noise to catchy pop sounds.

Joy Division took the raw energy and anger of punk and added sophisticated layers like dub echoes and heavy bass, keyboards and robotic dance beats. Singer Ian Curtis battled with complex life issues and the disease epilepsy as the band became more and more successful, ultimately hanging himself on the eve of their American tour. The remaining members went on to form the internationally acclaimed group New Order.

Bauhaus started out in Northampton, England in 1979 and within 6 weeks recorded Bela Lugosi’s Dead, a song that would be passed from hand-to-hand throughout the UK and would spark the subculture Goth.

Siouxsie Sioux and her friends had never picked up an instrument when they performed at the Punk Rock Festival at the 100 Club in 1976, making them an official punk band. But during the 20 years Siouxsie and the Banshees stayed together they morphed their sound into the more sophisticated, spooky realm of post-punk.

In 1978, Ian McCullouch and two friends picked up a drum machine they affectionately called “Echo”. Heavily influenced by the attitude of punk rock, Echo and The Bunnymen added psychedelic effects, orchestral strings and emotional, philosophical lyrics for a whole new sound.

UK band The Cure manage to be both underground and popular at the same time, with albums that range from a dark, gothic sound to a charming pop style. This story features rare interview audio from frontman Robert Smith.

Frontman Howard Devoto left the band the Buzzcocks to form Magazine with fellow art student John McGeoch. Their songs influenced future bands and artists like Radiohead, Peter Murphy and Morrissey.

Wire’s sound has been re-invented so many times in the past three decades that they are difficult to classify. Join KEXP Documentaries in an exclusive interview with frontman Colin Newman where he tells the philosophy behind this mysterious band.

Join KEXP for an interview with Gang of Four member Dave Allen, who gives an inside view on songwriting, band dynamics and the role of music in a changing world.

With over 40 band members and 27 albums in the last 3 decades, The Fall are one of the most unstable-seeming, yet long-lasting bands in rock.