D-Generation X

D-Generation X formed in New York City in the early 1990s, with Justin Brannan on vocals and guitar, Jesse Malin on guitar, Howie Pyro on bass, and Aaron Comess on drums. They put out their first album, "D-Gen," on their own Cool Daddy Records after some labels passed on it. The band's sound had a punk energy but kept things melodic, with songs like "Are You Ready?" and "Saturday Night Tales" showing that mix.

Their lyrics sometimes got them into trouble with critics and conservative groups, who found the language too raw or the social commentary too direct. The band didn't really back down from that, which gave them a reputation for being provocative. They kept releasing albums through the '90s, including "Seconds to a Kiss," "Wannabe a Star," and "Punk Rock Holocaust."

"Are You Ready?" became one of their most recognizable songs, with its catchy melody and defiant tone. Other tracks like "Dancing With Myself" and "English Dream" showed their range within that punk-rock framework. They were part of that New York scene in the '90s, and their music found an audience that responded to that combination of energy and melody.