Grade 2

Punk turns 50 next year and is alive and kicking. Despite—or maybe because of—its simple formula. Starting a punk band is as easy as downloading an app, after all. The raw anger at its core never gets old, with plenty to rebel against in every era. Grade 2 formed in 2013, a year filled with bad news about natural disasters, bombings and boat refugees. The trio from the British Isle of Wight started out covering punk icons like The Jam and The Stranglers, blending that classic punk energy with the frustrations of Gen Z. Signed to German label Contra Records, they quickly made waves across Europe. But they were ready to conquer new territory. Since 2018 they've called Hellcat Records home, the label founded by Tim Armstrong, lead singer-guitarist of American punk legends Rancid.