Descendents, a punk band from Southern California formed in 1977, are pioneers of the genre’s melodic hardcore subgenre. Hailing from Manhattan Beach, they brought a unique blend of catchy hooks, humorous lyrics, and blistering speed to the scene. The band’s music has been described as a “coffee’d-out blend of rock-surf-pop-punk music. The sound consisted basically of Lombardo’s hard-driving, melodic bass lines, Navetta’s tight guitar riffing, and ‘caffinated’ surf beats. Led by guitarist and vocalist Milo Aukerman, their music became a voice for suburban youth angst and intellectual introspection. The band’s Southern California roots deeply influenced their surf and skate culture aesthetic, while their relentless touring and DIY ethos cemented their status as punk icons. Descendents remain influential, embodying the region’s blend of rebellion, self-expression, and punk rock innovation.