Washington first saw touring punk bands such as the Ramones in 1976. Among the earliest DC punk bands were Overkill, The Penetrators, the Slickee Boys, White Boy, the Look, the Controls, Iron Cross, the Velvet Monkeys, Bad Brains, the Teen Idles, Minor Threat, S.O.A., Chalk Circle, Void, the Faith, Youth Brigade, Government Issue, the Untouchables, and Scream - all of which formed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. and found refuge in old hard rock clubs. Originally facing harsh opposition from traditional rock fans, the bands played on mostly off-nights, towards young audiences.