I am exploring 10 punk rock songs that mattered to me and still do. These songs encompass much of what I liked about punk rock when I first discovered it back in 198(?). Enjoy!
(These are in no order, it's just 10 songs)
10. GENERATION X - Kiss Me Deadly
One of my earliest punk rock memories would have to be watching the documentary "D.O.A. - A Right of Passage" by director Lech Kowalski on videotape. This was very hard to track down in the 80s when I bought it and apparently has yet to be released legitimately on DVD. Amazon currently lists 2 copies of "D.O.A." for sale with the least expensive checking in at $168.00! I think I paid all of $20. Videotape becomes useless after many years and it would be nice to finally see this great movie again, even without DVD extras.
Somehow I discovered Generation X prior to seeing this movie and had very little idea as to what they actually looked like. It was cool to see them and the other incredible footage of X-Ray Spex, one of Sid & Nancy's final interviews, Dead Boys, Rich Kids etc., it was truly a life altering experience. Billy Idol has performed "Kiss Me Deadly" frequently on tour and it was always great to hear that live because it seemed that would be as close to seeing Generation X as I'd ever get. The rest of the band moved on to Empire (Derwood Andrews and Mark Laff) and Sigue Sigue Sputnik (Tony James). Who knows if there will ever be a proper Generation X reunion aside from the one-off they had a few years back on Idol's "Cyberpunk" tour in London, but it would be pretty cool if there was. On a side note, Idol's Christmas song is a great addition to the plethora of holiday tunes we must endure year after year.
9. X-RAY SPEX - Oh Bondage, Up Yours!
Early in 2011 the world lost one of the more unique personalities to emerge out of the early punk rock movement. With only one proper LP and a few singles, Poly Styrene and X-Ray Spex left an indelible mark on music for decades. X-Ray Spex influenced as many bands as Poly herself did. She was a groundbreaking artist who didn't realize the impact she had until many years later. At least she and guitarist Jak Airport were aware of the accolades long before they both passed away.
I can thank "D.O.A. - A Right of Passage" for showing me X-Ray Spex in all their glory and I can also thank Ken at Main Street Records (it was an actual store back then, not a website) in Northampton MA for taking my $75 and handing me this incredible single back in the 80s too! You couldn't get "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!" or the flip side "Iama Poseur", on the original "Germ Free Adolescents" album, which was out of print at the time anyway. Of course it has subsequently be re-issued a few times, but something about having the needle hit the original slab of wax is extremely cool.
8. THE WAITRESSES - Square Pegs/I Could Rule the World If I Could Only Get the Parts
Fortunately or unfortunately depending upon your train of thought, the 80s will never be replicated. There will be attempts, but it's really hard to capture what was really going on at that time. Even watching early John Hughes' movies kind of comes close, but then also misses too. The television program "Square Pegs" was such a great short-lived show that it always brings back fond memories of growing up. Similar to the also short-lived "Freaks & Geeks" and "Undeclared" shows of recent years, "Square Pegs" spoke to me and to many of my contemporaries and if Hollywood was writing about people like this, we certainly weren't alone. The characters were so clearly defined and I could relate to many of them in some way or another. The show also featured cameos from Father Guido Sarducci, Devo and The Waitresses.
I love The Waitresses, they had the right amount of Times Square sleaze combined with CBGB's attitude who's sound was truly unique. They got some radio airplay, not as much as Blondie, but enough to get them on the then-final Gang of Four tour, which included a stop at Williams College in Williamstown MA! This was my first punk show ever. The Waitresses and Gang of Four in a hockey rink and let me tell you, it was as my eyes had been opened like never before. Whenever I hear "Christmas Wrapping" (one of my favorite Christmas songs), I get nostalgic. Not only is it a great song, it's one of the better original Christmas songs of the past 50 years.
They didn't play "Square Pegs" in Williamstown, but they did play "I Could Rule the World If I Could Only Get the Parts", so enjoy this one, I like it just as much.
Sadly, lead singer Patty Donohue passed away due to complications from lung cancer in 1996, she was only 40 years old.
7. GANG OF FOUR - To Hell With Poverty
In the days before the Internet made everything easier and probably a bit less fun when searching for things, the only way you could hear about bands was by reading about them, catching them on TV or in a movie. I had read about Gang of Four prior to seeing them with The Waitresses in Williamstown and found out that their current tour was to be their last (fast forward years later and they've reunited twice). Jon King and Andy GillWilliamstown. College radio was very different back then and students listened to quite a diverse selection of music thus justifying this appearance. I don't know who convinced who to book it, but I'm forever glad they did. Back then they had Gang of Four and now they have the Gym Class Heroes. Sara Lee, who eventually went on to perform with Ani DeFranco, was playing in Gang of Four at that show.
I picked up the Another Day/Another Dollar EP on cassette at Strawberries on North Street, they had only one copy. No band photo, just money on the cover, no liner notes (as was common with cassettes)....no detail on who this band was. The EP remains one of my favorites. It's so good. Gang of Four were so clever and mysterious when I asked how many people are in Gang of Four, my then-friend said "well, how many words are in their name?" I always felt that to be pretty cool. It wasn't accurate, but I have always wanted it to be. Just like believing the Ramones were all brothers.
While I'm thrilled Gang of Four is making some money from that current X BOX 360 commerical, it still kind of bums me out that the choice of song isn't really promoting modern day consumerism.
6. BLACK FLAG - Rise Above
I'll never forget the day I purchased "Damaged" on cassette in New York City because when I unwrapped the tape, put it in my Walkman and pressed play, my life was changed. Black Flag sounded like nothing I'd heard before that moment, "Rise Above" is the first track and it's pissed off angry tone resonated with me then and has continued to do so whenever I hear it now. The entire album was just what I needed, but "Rise Above" remains the song that changed the scope of my punk rock spectrum.
My friend who had been supplying me with punk rock mix tapes had neglected to include Black Flag on anything he'd given me. He also neglected to bring me with him to the Black Flag shows in Berkshire County during their final years as a band. I've never forgiven him for that. Even though Black Flag had a few lead singers, I've always preferred Rollins because that's who I heard first.
Of course, the local connection to Black Flag is quite hilarious:
Henry Rollins: Mitch Bury was Black Flag's road manager and very close friend of the band and myself. His family still lives on Crandall Street and I've just had a long friendship with Mitch Bury and to this day still see him, keep in contact with him and keep up my tradition of thanking Mitch Bury from Adams, Mass., on everything I put out.
5. BAD BRAINS - Sailin' On
Bad Brains' infamous cassette-only album on ROIR remains one of the most essential punk rock releases of all time. Their career was frustratingly rocky for anyone following the band and not all of their releases were as solid as their self-titled 1982 release. This was my first introduction to anything so fierce, raw and intense. To this day I find that 90% of punk rock and hardcore holds up the test of time and this album is no exception.
"Sailin' On" is the first track and certainly one of my favorites from this pioneering band who, over the years, tried to distance themselves from the punk and hardcore movements. This was one of the issues that caused a rift within the band throughout their career and was one of many reasons why they broke up so many times often reforming with different singers and drummers. The one time I saw them live I was forever disappointed and I haven't been back since. I have the "Live at CBGB's" DVD and really, that's all you need to experience the band at the top of their live performance game.
This is just the beginning, there are more songs to be added to the list!
Thanks for reading!
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