Look, we get it — you’re going in a contrary direction to something. You oppose things and that’s fantastic. But just because you have the word “Against” in your band name doesn’t mean you have to play aggressive rock music with a political slant. Or does it?

Who: Against Me!
What: Politico-punks who blend retro-80s sounds with protest anthems for some of the best punk rock of the new millennium.
Where: Gainesville, FL
When: 1997 to present

Who: Born Against
What: Lefty commie pinko punks led by zine publisher and indie label owner Sam McPheeters.
Where: New York, NY
When: 1989 – 1993

Who: For Against
What: Shoegazing trio influenced equally by the dark sounds of Joy Division and the lighter pop of early R.E.M. for a sound that predates bands like Interpol by over a decade.
Where: Lincoln, NE
When: 1985 to 2002

Who: Girls Against Boys
What: Also known as GVSB, this long-running post-hardcore band has two bass players and had an original lineup that featured Brendan Canty of Fugazi on drums.
Where: New York, NY via Washington, DC
When: 1988 to present

Who: Rage Against the Machine
What: Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me!
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: 1991 to 2000, though the band reunited at 2007’s Coachella festival

Who: Rise Against
What: Vegetarians who rose from the ashes of 88 Fingers Louie, playing melodic hardcore that appeals to both punk rock fans and modern rock radio.
Where: Chicago, IL
When: 1999 to present

Honorable mention to “I Against I” from Bad Brains and “Against the Grain” from Bad Religion, two classics it’d be hard to rail against.

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