1976. No doubt. And the most important band in pop, ever? The Sex Pistols.
Now there’ll be quite a few people who disagree with this. A lot of people bang on about the Beatles (mostly Liverpudlians and Japanese tourists). Then a lot more will go on about a man called Elvis ( Mostly fat people from Wyoming who think they’re Irish and those queuing outside the post office on Thursday morning). And then there’ll be a load of bores who’ll talk about some black man from Louisiana no-one’s ever heard of called Old Blind Fatbelly or something like that (but you probably won’t meet them because they don’t go out much).
But before the revolution that was Punk, music had become totally boring. You won’t believe this but some songs had guitar solos longer than the entire lifetime output of the Pistols (just 5 singles and 1 album).
There were quite a few who were really good before then – Otis Redding and The Who were two of my favourites, but the trouble was Pop in those days was just a spectator sport when all the rest of us had to watch and shout and say how clever they all were.
Now, to give credit to the Americans, they had the bands who showed the first Punk bands the way to go – Velvet Underground, New York Dolls and some others. They just didn’t have the attitude to pull it off.
But what was different about punk was that anyone could have a go and get involved. Before then it was as likely that you could play in a ‘proper’ band as that you would play footy for United on Ronaldo’s wages. But when Punk came along anyone could have a go. You didn’t need to be much good at playing an instrument or singing. And even if you weren’t in a band you could design the record sleeve or do something else. Even your old dad managed a band – well, rang up some pubs to see if they’d let us play actually.
So here’s some recommended listening to get you going:
Sex Pistols – anything
The Clash – ‘White Riot’ and ‘London Calling’
Buzzcocks – ‘Ever Fallen in Love’
The Damned – ‘New Rose’
The Adverts – ‘Gary Gilmore’s eyes’
X-ray Specs – ‘Oh bondage, up yours’
And read this: 'England's Dreaming' Jon Savage
Enjoy kids, but don’t spit.
Now there’ll be quite a few people who disagree with this. A lot of people bang on about the Beatles (mostly Liverpudlians and Japanese tourists). Then a lot more will go on about a man called Elvis ( Mostly fat people from Wyoming who think they’re Irish and those queuing outside the post office on Thursday morning). And then there’ll be a load of bores who’ll talk about some black man from Louisiana no-one’s ever heard of called Old Blind Fatbelly or something like that (but you probably won’t meet them because they don’t go out much).
But before the revolution that was Punk, music had become totally boring. You won’t believe this but some songs had guitar solos longer than the entire lifetime output of the Pistols (just 5 singles and 1 album).
There were quite a few who were really good before then – Otis Redding and The Who were two of my favourites, but the trouble was Pop in those days was just a spectator sport when all the rest of us had to watch and shout and say how clever they all were.
Now, to give credit to the Americans, they had the bands who showed the first Punk bands the way to go – Velvet Underground, New York Dolls and some others. They just didn’t have the attitude to pull it off.
But what was different about punk was that anyone could have a go and get involved. Before then it was as likely that you could play in a ‘proper’ band as that you would play footy for United on Ronaldo’s wages. But when Punk came along anyone could have a go. You didn’t need to be much good at playing an instrument or singing. And even if you weren’t in a band you could design the record sleeve or do something else. Even your old dad managed a band – well, rang up some pubs to see if they’d let us play actually.
So here’s some recommended listening to get you going:
Sex Pistols – anything
The Clash – ‘White Riot’ and ‘London Calling’
Buzzcocks – ‘Ever Fallen in Love’
The Damned – ‘New Rose’
The Adverts – ‘Gary Gilmore’s eyes’
X-ray Specs – ‘Oh bondage, up yours’
And read this: 'England's Dreaming' Jon Savage
Enjoy kids, but don’t spit.
3 comments:
Downesy
Sex Pistols - yep, Clash - yep, Damned - sometimes, Buzzcocks - less frequently, Adverts - Hmmm not sure about that one, X-Ray Specs - what? are you insane??? Truly, truly terrible act. Took the "you don't need to be able to play" idea to new depths.
EAR I AM
Fair enough, but remember we're talking '76.
Damned - best spitters. Buzzcocks - bit intellectual for many tastes I accept. Adverts - do you not think Gaye Advert, crap as she was, set a style for female bass players everywhere? Might concede X-ray Specs though.
Suppose its a youth thang - for you it was Punk - a refreshing change and breakthrough music genre that changes attitudes and lifestyle..
..a bit like me and acid house!
..rave on Steve!
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