Garage punk is a broad term used to describe a range of garage rock and punk rock bands from the 1960s onward. While it may appear to be a straightforward blend of 1960s garage rock and late 1970s punk, the genre is more expansive, incorporating elements from black rhythm and blues to 1980s power pop. The overall sound tends to be raw and minimal, favoring energy and spontaneity over technical proficiency.

Contemporary garage punk is represented by record labels such as Goner Records, based in Memphis, Tennessee, and by notable artists including the Black Lips, Jay Reatard, and the King Khan & BBQ Show.