I'm sure you'll get a better, more theoretically corect answer soon, but the basis is simple. Pentatonic scale is a scale consisting of five different notes. Major pentatonic scale in the key of C is C,D,E,G,A. Minor pentatonic scale in the key of A is A,C,D,E,G. Those two are relative, meaning C major pent. soloing over A minor, dominant ( or their extensions, which you most likely won't frequent in punk ), as long as you stress the A minor tonality. Obviously, it works vice versa as well.
You can add other notes to the scale, thus adding various "spices" to a solo or a phrase. Just remember that too many spices disguise or ruin the natural taste, and you don't want your solos to sound like random clusters of notes ( although...) Treat it well and it will give you years of fun. And then try some Locrian.........NOT! :eek: