TOP 100
TOP 100 OF PUNK 1976-1982
The best period after the mid-60s garage & beat boom ...
(selected in 1995, soon I'll complete
the notes)
1. The Undertones
:
Teenage kicks
(45 Good Vibrations '78)
This is John Peel’s (of Radio One BBC fame) fave song. It’s very rare a debute
single’s made so great that it’s close to perfection. Subtility and strength
hand in hand. Every Sex Pistols and Clash fan will hate me for this, but hey,
taste is taste and because my taste is one of a kind and theirs not, is such a
pity for them and you’ll be lucky. The Sire reissue 45 contains 3 bonus tracks :
"Get over you", "Really really" and "She can". The girls from Thee Headcoatees
recorded the best cover version. A Belgian girl band called Triskell always play
this song live. Since the Childish girls ain't around anymore, it's the task of
the 3 Triskell babes to keep this song unforgotten. Recently I saw Mensen (Norwegian
girls) play this at a gig.
2. Buzzcocks:
Sixteen again (LP
United Artists '78)
This song is the perfect example to say Buzzcocks were not only a singles band.
This is the ultimate Buzzcocks song. Pete’s unrivalled (in the world of
punkrock) songwriter qualities never showed it better. The repetitive structures
echo throughout the fresh melody. P.S. : their debute album features the song "Sixteen"
and it’s got nothing to do with this song. Between 1977 and 1979 they were
invited for BBC 1's Peels sessions no less than six times. This song was
recorded for both the fourth and the fifth session, late 1978.
3. The Damned:
Love song (45
Chiswick '79)
I consider The Damned and Buzzcocks the best first wave punkrock bands. After
their 1978 split and 1979 reunion they released this single: a fast, hard, but
rather accessible punker which even became a UK hit. Also "Machine gun
etiquette" has become a punk classic containing songs such as "Smash it up" and
"Just can’t be happy today". This is not an easy one!
4. Stiff Little
Fingers:
Alternative Ulster
(45 Rough Trade '78)
The second Ulster punk band (first was Rudi with Brian Young) and the best known.
They wished for a different situation in their country. Now almost three decades
later the situation remains the same. Again a proof that music doesn’t change a
thing, no matter how hard you try. Nevertheless this song is 100% pure and
honest energy from a great band and also their "Inflammable Material" album will
always be considered by avid fans as a punk rock landmark. Strange however is
the opportunism: Jake and his buddies "evolved" from a desperate hard rock band
to a "top" punk act.
5. The Damned:
New rose (45
Stiff '76)
With front man Dave Vanian, a former gravedigger, The Damned were the first in
everything. The first British punk band that released a single (even before the
Sex Pistols), also the first punk album and the first punk band with an American
tour. So the first Britsh punk single turned out to be almost the best ever. If
you are looking for the original 45, you'd better be careful. There are so many
counterfeit 45s: they don't have the spoken intro "is she really going out with
him". But don't worry if you can't find it: just buy the punk classic album "Damned
damned damned", a real must in each record collection.
6. Flux Of Pink
Indians: Tube disaster
(45 Crass '81)
As Crass protégées they were
rated as one of the most important bands of the anarcho-punk scene. They started
as The Epileptic Fits and as The Epileptics they recorded "Tube disaster" for a
tiny label in 1979. After the split half of the band founded Flux and the rest
is history. Oh, later on they started a recommended recorded label: One Little
Indian. To me "Tube disaster" is a song I still like to play at parties and the
crowd loves it!
7. The Adverts:
Bored teenagers
(45 Anchor '77)
No song could describe the British youth’s total annihilation and nihilism
better than this Adverts classic punk song. The first punk queen was not
Siouxsie Sioux or Catwoman, but Gaye Black, fresh from nun school. With heavy
mascara eyes, pale face, black clothes and a heavy bass guitar uncomfortably in
her hands she was many a young punk’s wet dream’s protagonist. She was timid and
introvert and maybe that’s why she went back to oblivion after a few years.
8. Dead Boys:
Sonic reducer (45
Sire '77)
Right after arrival in New York this Ohio group recorded this debut single. It’s
an almost unapproachable example of American 1977 punkrock. This proves again
that almost nothing can be as powerful as the very first recordings. Stiv Bator
became a cult hero which he disliked a lot. Even in Paris he wasn’t safe hence
his freaky death: he got killed by a taxi while crossing the street.
9. The Sex
Pistols:
God save the queen
(45 Virgin '77)
1977 was the British Queen Elisabeth’s Jubilee. She was Queen when these 4 guys
weren’t even born yet. It’s amazing what this foursome’s impact was on music. Or
should I say Malcom McLaren’s? Anyway, this song was number two in the charts,
but banned from the national radio. This had the opposite effect. The blank spot
on #2 was known to anyone and the single sold lotsa copies. BBC did everything
to keep the song from being the chart topper. From sheer ignorance the British
authorities made the Sex Pistols bigger than even McLaren could have dreamed of.
This is classic punk rock music by some bored British youngsters.
10.The Adverts:
Gary Gilmore's eyes
(45 Anchor '77)
In death row Gary Gilmore wanted to donate his eyes to science. What will happen
if someone would look through them. That’s the story behind this masterpiece.
American 60’s punk has its quintessential sampler "Nuggets", British 70’s punk
has its "Burning ambitions", two fabulous double albums. This song must have
been a fave to all who love honest punk rock from 1977.
11.Buzzcocks:
Ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't 've fallen in love with
(45 United Artists '78)
The Buzzcocks’ impact on (British) music may be considered as big as the Stooges,
Ramones and Velvet Underground. Before you even know, you’re singing along. This
fantastic single from their second album was awfully covered by a stupid band
who had a smash hit. Why do you think music press labeled them The Beatles of
punk?
12.Dead Kennedys:
Holiday in Cambodia
(45 Cherry Red '80)
That this is the best American punk rock song is beyond question. No one could
equal these hardcore pioneers, not even Henry Rollins’ Black Flag. Being the
politically most active punk band they had many followers, but Biafra’s
unflagging energy in battling Tipper Gore’s censorship squad, helped too. With
this he’s got much support from colleagues such as Joey Ramone and Frank Zappa.
Lagarto from Spain and his Pleasure Fuckers have recorded a very fine version
too, partially sung in Spanish.
13.The Sex
Pistols:
Anarchy in the UK
(45 EMI '76)
Almost every punk compilation has got this one. The very first Sex Pistols
single and England would never be the same again. Thousands of new bands arose
and a new rock ‘n’ roll philisophy was (re-)born and it was called Do It
Yourself. You know the rest.
14.Wire:
1 2 X U
(45 Harvest '77)
One of the very best punk songs by a band that had little to do with the punk
movement in itself despite their inclusion on the quintessential "The Roxy
London WC2". They were a brilliant band, too brilliant maybe; too sophisticated
for the working class punks. "12XU" is a great explosion of punk violence and
still remains one of the best songs of that great year.
15.The Clash:
White riot (45
CBS '77)
Jones and Strummer have written some unforgettable songs, and this is their best
without any doubt. Whoever thinks there’s a better Clash song, is an idiot.
"White riot" is thee ultimate Clash song. To many this is thee quintessential
punk rock song.
16.The Turn-Ups:
Sound of silence
(LP Cracked '80)
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel sang this folk tune when the Byrds and Bob Dylan
were "hip". I wasn’t even born yet. If you dislike the sound of silence, you
certainly like the ultra loud punk terror by The Turn-Ups.
17.Swell Maps:
Read about Seymour
(45 Rather '78)
Recorded in punk heyday ‘76, but wasn’t released until ‘78. The band started
with brothers Nikki and Epic. Strangely, their other songs are experimental
noise and miss the punk simplicity of "Read about Seymour".
18.The Adverts:
One chord wonders
(45 Stiff '77)
To me they were the most underrated punkband from 1977. Their first album is
full of one chord wonders, which is the perfect description of a punkrock song.
Their first Stiff appearance was rerecorded so the LP-version is slightly
different.
19.The Saints:
I'm stranded (45
Fatal '76)
A real outsider, when looking at the history of punk rock. This Australian band
recorded one of the very first punk rock songs and it was such a success in
England they even relocated to that "little island" on the other side of the
world. Hence their first album on the British Harvest label. It’s punk rock at
its finest.
20.Angelic
Upstarts:
England
(45 Zonophone '80)
Thanks to Sham 69’s Jimmy Pursey (producer of their first album) they were a
special medium for the British working class. Although "England" is sort of a
ballad, it’s one of the very best this British punkband ever has recorded. Why
isn’t this the English anthem? "England oh England, a country so great ...". And
similarly why isn’t the Kids’ (Belgian 70’s punk) song "Bloody Belgium" our
national anthem instead of La Brabançonne?
21.Crass:
Big A little a (45 Crass '80)
What would the world be without Crass? It's hard to imagine. And certainly for
every non-British as this proto-punk band (maybe the only real punk band ever!)
even had a considerable impact on England's society and politics. Crass learned
us to think for ourselves rather than just encourage bored teenagers to react
against society. They were smart and thus dangerous, this song being a prime
example: "Big A little A boucing B, the system might've got you but it won't get
me..."
22.The Kids:
Bloody Belgium (LP
Phillips '78)
Twelve years old Dany was looking for a singer and guitar player to start a punk
rock band. His brother Eddy was drummer. Ludo Mariman had already about this kid
bass player and he was enthused. That's how The Kids got started in 1975. This
is the new Belgian anthem. When Dany left The Kids after ten devoted years he
was only 22 years old.
23.Ramones:
Sheena is a punkrocker
(45 Sire '76)
Who doesn't know this one? There's "Judy is a punk", "Suzy is a headbanger" and
later even "Heidi is a headcase", but I think Sheena is most popular with the
fans. Thanks Joey & DeeDee, we won't ever forget you.
24.The Users:
I'm in love with today
(45 Raw '77)
This has been reissued on a free four-track single with the splendid UK mag "Spiral
scratch" together with the Killjoys, the Sick Things (two Raw label mates) and
the Sex Pistols. This B-side is their best effort ever and it's typical '77 punk
rock. The late 90's has seen a revival of so-called snotty punk based on the
early UK-punk rock explosion from 76-77.
25.Angelic
Upstarts:
Lust for glory
(45 Anagram '82)
Simple and good. The Upstarts are one of the few remaining 70’s punk bands from
England. This is together with the A-side their best known song. In 1982 punk
knew two different tensions: on one hand the working class mentality and on the
other the ultra hard "Motörpunk" by bands such as GBH. Despite being (or
becoming) too intelligent for many, the Upstarts fans remained. Sadly their
concerts were often scenes of battlefields caused by right wing skinheads who
wanted to fight with Mensi, a hardcore Anti Fascist Action follower. Same old
story, lust for glory. Same old band, but where is the glory?
26.Ramones:
Pinhead (45 Sire
'76)
This is the famous "Gabba gabba hey" song you can hear on every Ramones concert.
It's become their anthem and their most famous (next to "Rock 'n' roll
highschool" perhaps). Thee Headcoatees recorded an entire album of punk song
cover versions including this.
27.The
Heartbreakers:
Chinese rocks
(45 Track '77)
This punkrock classic was recorded after co-author Richard Hell (ex-Neon Boys
and ex-Television) founded his own band, The Voidoids. In the meantime this band
had been the support act for the Sex Pistols’ American "Anarchy" tour. To many
Johnny Thunders is together with Sid Vicious and Dee Dee Ramone the greatest
punk hero. The only thing they really have in common is the needle.
28.Dead Kennedys:
California über alles
(45 Fast '79)
In 1979 Biafra was 4th on ten candidates for the San Francisco mayor elections.
Maybe this "homage" to the Californian gouvernor Jerry Brown is his revenge. I
found it strange that their debut single was released on a Scottish label.
29.Ramones:
Teenage lobotomy
(45 Sire '77)
Two minutes isn't enough to lobotomize a teenager. "Rocket to Russia" was their
third album and probably their best. It's one of the fans' fave Ramones songs
and often performed live.
30.Generation X:
Your generation
(45 Chrysalis '77)
As a first class punk rocker Billy Idol was heavily influenced by The Sex
Pistols. But does that mean he had to follow Johnny Lydon to the States to
become a rock and sex symbol? What "My generation" by the Who is to the
me-generation of 1965, is "Your generation" to the anti-you-generation of 1977:
an adolescent's fierce accusation against the previous generation, namely the
Who's.
31.GBH:
City
baby attacked by rats
(LP Clay '82)
Because there was a British metal band with that name (Grievous Bodily Harm)
around, they were called Charged GBH in the beginning. Anyway, they were the
toughest punk band (the fiercest was Crass, of course). The critics tried to
define this kind of punk; one of the definitions being Motörpunk, although I
can't really see the Motörhead connection.
32.X-Ray Spex:
Identity (45 EMI
International '78)
This was the first X-Ray Spex song I've ever heard and I was a fan instantly.
Another great album track is "I am a poseur", a statement that unfortunately
suited a lot of punk band members. Marion became Poly Styrene and changed
identity and repeated this about a year later with Hare Krishna while the rest
started Classix Nouveaux or went solo like the 16-year old Lora Logic.
33.Sick Things:
Bondage boy (45
Raw '77)
It was recorded for Raw Records, that’s for sure. That’s the only thing I know
about this awesome punkrock band. Labelmates were Killjoys (with pre-Dexys
Midnight Runners Kevin Rowland) and The Unwanted. I just found this on a freebie
with the Spiral Scratch magazine from England. Must be played right after X-Ray
Spex’ "Oh bondage up yours".
34.Newtown
Neurotics:
Kick out the tories
(45 CNT '82)
If the Neurotics would have known it would take another 15 years to kick out the
Tories they'd probably have used a bomb instead of this punk song. They soon
dropped "Newtown" and their music immediately lacked backbone since then.
35.Buzzcocks:
Orgasm addict (45
United Artists '77)
What a title! I'm still waiting for the band under the moniker of The Orgams
Addicts. This first single without Howard Devoto confirms the value of this
quintessential Manchester punk band. This song was written together with Devoto.
This band started the day after they witnessed a 1976 Sex Pistols concert. The
previous name was Jets Of Air.
36.X-Ray Spex:
Germ free adolescent
(45 EMI International '78)
Nowadays it's even harder to find a germ free adolescent. Pre-Hare Krishna Poly
Styrene thought she was one. This punk ballad contrasts with their other punk
singles like "The day the world turned dayglo", "Identity" and "Oh bondage up
yours". This was also recorded for their second Peel session on November 13
1978.
37.UK Decay:
For my country
(45 Fresh '80)
This was a very promising punk band, but they soon descended to dark gothic
sounds. I think it's the first release by the ex-Resistors. In Thatcherian
England hundreds of bands emerged to fight the Tory terror. UK Decay could've
been big. This song was on a Peel session on 29-4-1980.
38.The Exploited:
Troops of tomorrow
(45 Secret '82)
Balancing on the mark between Oi and Motörpunk like GBH they acquired a fanatic,
loyal following. The small Wattie and his multi-coloured Mohican hairdo is the
only constant in the ever changing line-up. Their second album undoubtedly is
their best with highlights such as "USA" and above all "Sid Vicious was
innocent", but even better is this Vibrators cover, which is half as speedy as
the rest and that's why it lasts so long. Nevertheless this was a clear message
from the contemporary youth. Strange (but then again not) that The Exploited and
Crass could not get along at all.
39.The Undertones:
Get over you (45
Sire '78)
A worthy successor of "Teenage kicks", "Get over you" is typical Undertones pop
punk. Feargal Sharkey had some chart-topping hit singles in the 80s while the
O'Neill brothers tried to break through as That Petrol Emotion. I've seen them
once on a festival and I realised I missed the old Undertones. I gotta get over
it.
40.Blitz:
Someone
gonna die (45 No
Future '81)
In '81 and '82 a handful of 45s and 1 album got this skin punk band a fanatic
following. Almost every fan however turned their heads when the second album "Second
empire justice" was released. Blitz had turned into a doomy goth band. "Someone
gonna die" is fast honest punk rock produced by so many English punk bands from
that era. It's the first release of the great No Future label.
41.The Stranglers:
No more heroes
(45 United Artists '77)
The first radio show I had in '85 when still a teenager, was called "No more
heroes" on local (=Antwerp) radio station Radio Centraal. A part of this song
was the show's intro. Dave Greenfield's idol was The Doors' Ray Manzarek, but
for not "betraying" their punk ideas, this fact was ignored. These old guys (considering
the average punk rockers age) were closer to the Doors and other end-60s bands
than to The Clash or The Sex Pistols. Being "punk" there were some incidents at
their early gigs. Punks need no more heroes.
42.The Sex
Pistols:
Pretty vacant
(45 Virgin '77)
Their third 45 and the third best too. Although I like Sid Vicious as a punk
hero, I particularly like the first line-up including Glen. Punk's nature of
self-destruction hasn't been more prolific when the Sex Pistols broke up and Sid
Vicious died of an alleged drug OD one year later. I never could expect the
original line-up would get together again, almost two decades later. What a
great rock 'n' roll swindle.
43.The Fall:
Bingo masters breakout
(45 Step Forward '78)
Smith’s monotonous nasal sounds as main ingredient for this chaotic punk song.
I always hated this arrogant jerk, but I can’t ignore this incredible debute
single. The 20 albums (or more) following this single, may be ignored if you
are only interested in punk rock.
44.Dead Boys:
Ain't nothin' to do
(45 Sire '77)
Killed by an accident in Paris, Bators had become unwillingly a (punk) hero;
maybe that's the reason behind the posthumous tribute singles box set. He even
had a role in "Polyester", a John Waters movie. To some this is an invisible
album track from their magnificent debut album, but it's also a terrific 45
B-side. Tough luck: this is the second best Dead Boys song and it sounds even
meaner on the Necrophilia release because that album contains the raw mixes of
their debut album.
45.The Misfits:
Teenagers from Mars
(45 Plan 9 '79)
Horror punk heroes from the US with their debut 45 "Horror hotel" with the
B-side as lesser known, but oh so great classic Misfits tune. Their first two
45s are worth hundreds of dollars. So famous now that they've become the Kiss of
American punk.
46.The Outcasts:
Just another teenage rebel
(45 Good Vibrations '78)
Also a certain D. Smith played guitar with this band the drummer of which was
killed in a traffic accident, but that's after the band's demise. The song deals
with that typical "Your generation" statement. Together with Rudi and Stiff
Little Fingers they were Ulster's punk pioneers and an answer to London's punk
scene.
47.Chron Gen:
You'll never change me
(LP Secret '81)
Perhaps the most melodic band ever on Secret, a UK punk label responsible for
Exploited, Business, 4-Skins and Gonads releases. They made a firm statement
with this song. Probably they have changed afterwards and started working from 9
to 5. Their "Living nextdoor to Alice" is hilarious.
48.Dead Kennedys:
Chemical warfare
(LP Cherry Red '80)
The American punk scene never would be the same after this fierce debut album
which inconceivably was released first in England. This is a landmark in the
American musical history. Chemical Warfare is an ultra fast, tough, snappy (and
thus typical) Dead Kennedys song. Don't get fooled at the end: after a short
break there are a few seconds of sheer frenzy left.
49.Vice Squad:
Last rockers (45
Riot City '81)
Late punk rock gem, late, but a beauty sung by a leather clad girl. Beki Bondage
was the early 80's punk rock queen. Perhaps this song's too well performed,
lacking chaos and anarchy to be loved by each and every punk rock fan;
nevertheless I've always loved this song (and Beki too!)
50.Crass:
Reality
whitewash (LP
Crass '82)
Maybe they were the only genuine punk band. Not only they sang about anarchism,
they lived by those ideals as well. They didn’t want to become punk heroes like
Billy Idol, Johnny Lydon or Joe Strummer. Their chaotic anarchopunk (with
violins here, realised by Paul Ellis!), the cheap records and independence (in
recording to pressing and the sleeves) are the main reason for the many faithful
followers. Without the boycots all their albums would have had the golden
status. True to their promise (watch the descendent catalogue numbers of their
albums) they stopped in the Orwell year 1984. Their singer Steve Ignorant became
Conflict’s in the late eighties. "Christ the album" is quintessential Crass. It
should be in every record collection of anyone who calls himself a punk rock
lover.
51.Plastic
Bertrand:
Bambino
(45 RKM '78)
If you say Plastic Bertrand, you automatically respond "Ca plane pour moi" which
is quite obvious since that song sold millions of copies world wide. Talking an
Italian child tune as follow-up seems bizarre, but you need to know that
"Bambino" was a big hit in France and Belgium in the late 50's. Dalida scored
big in 1957 in Belgium and France just like Renato Carosone did in Italy in that
same year. Originally it was entitled "Guaglione" sung by Aurelio Fierro on the
Italian Music Festival of Napoli in 1956. Plastic Bertrand's punky approach is
as unexpected as it is charming.
52.The Mad:
I hate music (45
Disgusting '79)
Oh yes, I feel lucky. Lots of people said in '79 "I hate music". The end-70's
in the States were a disaster. I would have gone mad too. Julien played with The
Cramps for a few months and you can see her with the Cramps in the I.R.S. movie
"Urgh a music war". Screaming Mad George became a respected Hollywood horror
make up artist. No wonder they were close to the Cramps. But The Mad play punk
rock.
53.X-Ray Spex:
Oh bondage up yours
(45 Virgin '77)
No rope tricks here, just Poly in her plastic dress jumping up and down and
revealing her tore up panties: she's the punk girl every adult hates. First
class punk rock with a sax sounds a bit weird perhaps but this is genuine punk
rock from the first days of punk violence. And if you don't like it, well... up
yours!
54.The Unwanted:
Fraulin (LP
DeLorean '77)
They recorded for the Raw label several great songs including a terrific "These
boots ...". This demo recording from 1977 remained unreleased until 1985. "Secret
past" is a fine document on one of Britain's best yet forgotten punk rock bands.
Some people have heard about this band because of its inclusion on "The Roxy
London WC2".
55.The Pagans:
What's this shit called love
(45 Drome '78)
The State of Ohio produced several excellent punk rock bands (and other
peculiarities too). Second best (after Dead Boys) are these Pagans featuring
Nick Knox's cousin Ike, both ex-Cramps members. Many people seem to know the
single's B-side which is great too, but I still prefer the kick-ass A-side.
56.The Kids:
Do you wanna know
(45 Mercury '79)
A fabulous punky B-side of a very average single. It's 2 years after their 2
legendary punk albums and they've turned into a typical Belgian FM rock band.
This song however is one the very best Ludo Mariman ever has written. Their live
version on "If The Kids..." is one of the finest moments in Belgian punk rock.
The mid-90's resulted into a renewed world wide interest in Belgian punk rock
bands. The Japanese band Teengenerate covered 3 Kids songs for Wild Wild Records
including the best foreign cover of a Belgian song.
57.The Lurkers:
Shadow
(45 Beggars Banquet '77)
It ain't no pretty place at Pogo's. John Wayne Gacy aka Pogo The Clown was
mentally ill. He was one of America's most notorious serial killers, keen on
adolescent boys. This early American punk rock band could give a very precise
description of Gacy's place as if they once could escape out of his hands.
58.The Misfits:
Halloween (45
Plan 9 '80)
The Misfits’ fascination with psychotronic horror movies and early punk bands (Ramones,
Dead Boys,...) made them an extremely popular cult band whose singles are
changing hands for a lot of money. This Halloween track is fabulous and is one
of the best Misfits’ songs I’ve heard so far. Unfortunately I don’t have all
this Plan 9 single (their own label!) and I refuse to buy the CD sampler. 1983
was the end of this very interesting punk rock band, but later they reformed to
cash in on their popularity.
59.Plastic
Bertrand:
Ca plane pour moi
(45 RKM '78)
Lou Depryck from Lou & The Hollywood Bananas wrote this world punk hit. Thanks
to their million seller the label could last and keep on releasing singles
independantly. Plastic Bertrand was Hubble Bubble's drummer using his own name
Roger Jouret. The Damned's Captain Sensible even had a British hit with the
translated Elton Motello version, which was covered by Chron Gen too. The
original song has been covered in 1997 by one of my fave girl bands, Thee
Headcoatees as a prelude to their great "Punk girls" album.
60.The Pop Rivets:
Skip off school (LP
Hypocrite '79)
This is the first band that has recorded output featuring Billy Childish. It's
the start of a legendary career. Billy is my hero next to Lux and Ivy. He must
have recorded over 200 albums by now and it seems he won't ever stop. He skipped
off school at early age I'm told. Who cares! The start of Medway punk.
61.Ramones:
Blitzkrieg bop
(45 Sire '76)
One of their earliest recordings and still one of their best (and probably most
covered). Now that Joey & DeeDee are gone people start to recognize the ramones'
genius. Even a band called The Ramonetures played this as if The Ventures were
into Ramones ."Hey Ho, let's go" never sounded so cool.
62.The Kids:
This is rock 'n' roll
(LP Phillips '78)
And they were right. It's the same rock 'n' roll attitude that changed America
in '55 that changed the UK and Europe in '77. These Belgians (with 12 year old
bass player and 16 years old brother on the drums they were Kids indeed. Singer
Ludo still lives around my corner and looks even meaner than 25 years ago. Also
check out the tremendous Japanese cover by Teengenerate who recorded 3 Kids
songs for one EP on a French label..
63.Sham 69:
If the kids are united
(45 Polydor '78)
And this song is always the last song the Kids play at their sold-out gigs all
over Europe. Sham 69 (named after a graffiti on a wall "Hersham '69") are the
first and best known "working class" punk band. Jimmy Pursey became a punk hero,
but not like Lydon, Strummer or Idol. If the kids are united, they will never be
divided. It sounded promising, but at the end of '78 the end of punk was near.
64.Crass:
Do they
owe us a living
(45 Crass '77)
The very first 45 by this unconventional punk band.; in fact the only real punk
band fro the first days. From their anarcho-farm they did everything on their
own: DIY worked! Only the distribution was organized by others, but after Small
Wonder released their first album "Feeding of the 5000" without the blasphemous
"Reality Asylum", Crass managed to go on until the year of Orwell 1984 as they
promised in the beginning. Visionairs? I once had an interesting chat with bass
player Pete Wright at a workshop in Belgium in 1984 and he really knew what he
was talking about; no hollow statements you constantly could hear. They were the
real voice of England's punk.
65.The Undertones:
Male model (LP
Sire '79)
From their debut album and their best non-45 track. As most of their songs
written by the future That Petrol Emotion brothers O'Neill (& Bradley). Singer
Feargal Sharkey had a very distinctive voice, but had nothing to do with the
compositions. Later he became a famous solo artist with songs as "You little
thief" and as The Assembly with "Never never".
66.Dead Kennedys:
Too drunk to fuck
(45 Cherry Red '81)
No wonder a lot of distribution companies refused to sell a record with such a
title. And maybe we should be grateful. Jello Biafra started his own label
Alternative Tentacles and also began his war against censorship (together with
people like Zappa). Several cover versions include one called "Too fucked to
drink" by The Sidekicks.
67.UK Subs:
Stranglehold (45
Gem '79)
Charlie Harper was already 'an old fart' when he started this high-energy
London-based punk band. Their albums are alphabetical: first albums were "Another
kind of tension", "Brand new age", "Crash course", ... and now they reached the
letter P. This first 45 is a typical example of their sound and has become a
punk classic.
68.Peter & The
Test Tube Babies:
Banned from the pub
(45 No Future '81)
Ever been banned from a pub just because you looked differently or were wearing
"wrong" clothes? There isn't much known about this band. This song was also
released on the compilation "Punk and disorderly", one of the best samplers of
early '80s British punk.
69.The Lurkers:
Freakshow (45
Beggars Banquet '77)
Above all they were a singles band who were the early start of a new but
influential English record label: Beggars Banquet. "Shadow" and "Freakshow" were
the first two 45s on that label. Its first 10 releases feature another 2 Lurkers
singles including their best known "Ain't got a clue" . Oh, the producer is well
known Steve Lillywhite.
70.The Cortinas:
Fascist dictator
(45 Step Forward '77)
Two of their 45s are classic '77 punk rock. The other being "Defiant pose", but
this one is their best. These 5 youngters didn't last long, but still they are
considered as one of the most important London punk bands.
71.The Subway
Sect:
Ambition
(45 Rough Trade '78)
Singer Vic Godard, a Cole Porter fan (!), never could get a hold on the band. It
dissolved after one 45 and an unreleased album. Also 2 John Peel sessions were
recorded. A second 45 was released: "Ambition". It's pop punk in the best
Buzzcocks tradition. In '85 The Jesus & Marcy Chain covered it on a B-side.
72.The Damned:
Neat neat neat
(45 Stiff '77)
Great follow up for "New rose". Vanian, Scabies and Sensible are the best known
members of The Damned, but it was Brian James who wrote the band's best
material for their first two albums. When he left , The Damned weren't the same
anymore. He briefly joined Chelsea and then The Lords Of The New Church together
with Stiv Bators. This song is the opener for their first album "Damned Damned
Damned".
73.Ramones:
Judy is a punk (LP
Sire '76)
The Ramones have written so many songs about girls (remember Sheena, Suzy,
Heidi, ...), but it's strange that Judy is a punk. The lyrics go "Jackie is a
punk, Judy is a runt,...". A few years later the flip of the 45 release of "I
wanna be sedated" contains "The return of Jackie and Judy". Anyway it's one of
the most outstanding tracks on their second album "Leave home".
74.Buzzcocks:
Fast cars (LP
United Artists '78)
The opening track for their first album "Another music in a different kitchen".
Howard Devoto already left to form Magazine before the first single was released,
but his spirit is everpresent on the Buzzcocks' first album which lacks the
power of their singles. But the exception is this "Fast cars" which would have
been perfect for a 45 release.
75.The Sex
Pistols:
Holidays in the sun
(45 Virgin '77)
The picture cover of the Sex Pistols' fourth single was a version of a summer
holiday publication by a Belgian Travel Agency and a law suit against Virgin
Records prohibited any further sale of the artwork. Still about 5000 copies were
sold already. Together with Dead Kennedys' "Holiday in Cambodia" my fave holiday
record.
76.Dead Kennedys:
Nazi punks fuck off
(45 Alternative Tentacles '81)
And two years earlier there was "Sid did it" by Nazis Against Fascism, a cash-in
band formed by a former Vibrator. Jello Biafra released this 45 on his own
Alternative Tentacles label through Subterranean Records. It's in a plastic
sleeve with printed lyrics and contains a cloth showing a crossed swastika. The
Bromley Contingent (early Sex Pistols fans) wore Swastikas to shock, but by the
end of the 70s a part of the punk scene swore by the swastika. Biafra sings that
nazi punks are the same as fascist cops and then it's amazing that a Belgian
punk band were singing the same words already in 1977, namely The Kids with
"Fascist cops".
77.Anti Pasti:
No government (45
Rondelet '81)
Like rock'n'roll songs deal with girls and cars, punk rock songs had a tendency
to be anti-establishment. "No government" is the perfect example of this
attitude, more like a pose to most of the bands. It's like hippy and
anti-Vietnam. I don't know if Anti-Pasti were political or just poseurs, but
this 45 is a killer release.
78.Black Flag:
Six pack (45 SST
'81)
Henry Garfield left Washington DC based S.O.A. and became Black Flag's new
singer as Henry Rollins. First album with Rollins was "Damaged", a classic
American punk album, in fact the start of hardcore in 1981. Two songs have
always been my fave Black Flag songs and they are both on "Damaged". One being "Rise
above" and the other this "Six pack" which still remains their best known here
in Belgium, the land of the 1000 beers.
79.The
Plasmatics:
Butcher baby
(45 Vice Squad '79)
First released on Vice Squad and then also on Stiff Records Butcher Baby has
always been their most recognizable song. Wendy O. Williams, topless and pink
painted hairdo, sings and handles the chainsaw while a blue haired Mohican
demolishes his guitar and cars are exploding on stage. Visually great and their
first album is super: "New hope for the wretched" containing other delights such
as "Tight black pants", "Dreamlover" and "Test tude babies". Wendy committed
suicide in the late 90s.
80.Buzzcocks:
I don't know what to do with my life
(LP United Artists '80)
Buzzcocks were a singles band, but nevertheless they recorded some fine album
tracks as well. Their third album "A different kind of tension" contains such
outstanding tracks: "I believe", "You say you don't love me" and this one. Its
lyrics are amongst the finest Pete Shelley ever wrote. They were labeled the
Beatles of Punk. Too bad that Devoto left in their early days, for the
Devoto-Shelley tandem equals the early Lennon-McCartney.
81.The Clash:
Career opportunities
(LP CBS '77)
Joe Strummer needed career opportunities and he became a rock star. What a
career! From pub rock loser to punk rebellion to rock star. At least he returned
to earth whilst he replaced Shane McGowan with The Pogues. Career Opportunities
is from their first album and should've been granted a single release.
82.Ramones:
Beat on the brat
(LP Sire '76)
"... with a baseball bat. Oh yeah!" From their first album less than 30 minutes
long. Together with "Blitzkrieg bop" one of the most covered Ramones songs; my
favourite version is the one Thee Mighty Caesars did.
83.The Kids:
No monarchy (45
Fontana '78)
A fave topic amongst British punk rockers was their queen. Also here in Belgium
punks were against the monarchy. This 45 A-side also appeared on their second
album "Naughty Kids" which included songs like "Jesus Christ didn't exist", "Razor
blade for sale" and "Dead industry". The Kids are still performing and playing
all these songs over and over again in front of an audience of yesteryear punks
and their new breed of punk kids.
84.Slaughter &
The Dogs:
Runaway
(45 This record Co. '79)
85.The Hard-Ons:
School days (LP
'82)
86.Conflict:
Conflict
(45 Crass '82)
87.Crass:
Nagasaki
nightmare (45
Crass '80)
88.Zounds:
War (45 Crass '80)
89.Too Much:
Photo photo (45
EMI Pathé '78)
90.Dead Kennedys:
Terminal preppie
(LP Alternative Tentacles '82)
91.Television
Personalities:
Part time punks
(45 King's Road '78)
This recording featured only Dan and Russ.The other two decided not to show up
for this recording. Listen very carefully to the lyrics; you may learn a lot,
certainly those so-called weekend punkers. In 1981 their debut album "And don't
the kids just love it" was released, a prime example of neo-psychedelica like
only Syd Barrett could do, but this song ain't no fucking flower power.
92.The Partisans:
Police story (45
No Future '81)
93.Johnny Moped:
Incendiary device
(45 Chiswick '77)
94.Slaughter &
The Dogs:
Boston babies
(LP Decca '78)
95.The Exploited:
Dead
cities
(45 Secret '81)
96.Sid Vicious:
My way (45 Virgin
'78)
97.Crass:
Nineteen
eighty bore (LP
Crass '82)
98.Chaos UK:
4
minute warning
(45 Riot City '81)
99.Motörhead:
Ace of spades (45
Bronze '80)
This ain't no punk rock in se, but it is as violent, as primitive, as
atypical for the hit parade lovers that it is a perfect inclusion in this list.
Lemmy was more punk than Joe Strummer, Johnny Rotten or Billy Idol ever were.
100.The P.I.G.Z.:
Bloody Belgium
(45 JW's '78)