Director Carter Stevens had originally hoped to cast Debbie Harry in the role of "Vanessa Garbo," but by the time the film was produced, Harry's group Blondie was well on its way to international success and Harry was not interested in the role. Stevens instead cast Elda Gentile, a former performance partner of Harry's in the group Elda and the Stillettos in the early 1970's.
Contrary to some claims, none of the original film was shot at Max's Kansas City. The alternate R-rated version of Punk Rock has new scenes that were shot at Max's and features the bands The Fast, The Squirrels, and Spicy Bits. These bands, however, do not appear in the original X-rated film.
Despite the fact that her name is advertised on the theatrical one-sheet for the X-rated version of Punk Rock, Seventies adult film actress Nancy Dare does not appear in the film.
Carter Stevens states that a bearded extra (sitting next to Albert Jaccoma who plays "Ralphie") in the night club featuring Elda and the Stillettos was "the science fiction editor for Dell" at that period in time. This is heard on the alternate audio track for the R-rated version of Punk Rock.
Judy Sky is credited only in the R-rated version of the film as being the creator of the large mural in the massage parlor which is seen in the X-rated version too.