With any musical genre there are always sub-genres and multiple eras. With punk, I always think of, at least, three distinct eras: the original, 70's (Clash, Sex Pistols, etc.); the post-punk, 80's (Black Flag, Minor Threat, etc.); and the rest, 90's and on, revivalist, whatever you want to call it (Op Ivy, Rancid, Bad Religion, etc). Obviously, there are probably many more ways to classify, sub-classify...
Anyway, I think about that second group a lot in terms of MMM, especially bands like the Minutemen. They were real working class, DIY, fairly sober dudes. They played early shows so working people could attend. They kept it cheap and lived modest lifestyles. They weren't breaking stuff or causing riots, just allowing the message to come through the music without all the theatrics. I don't know, there was a certain purity and simplicity to this era of punk. Obviously, their goals probably weren't early retirement. But through their approach they were able to make their music on their terms, which wreaks of badassity.