D B Disco
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No apologies for another punk thread, but this is going to be a long post so I will apologise for that!
Thought I would put together an A-Z of punk bands that have been important/meant something to me over the years for one reason or another.
This isn't meant to be a list of the best bands, and no doubt I will miss a few that should probably be on any punk list, but feel free to comment or add your own.
I'm not going to add videos as I'd be here all day, but you can pretty much find anything on Youtube these days, so if anything tickles your fancy from the following go have a look/listen.
OK, here goes...........
A
Great, it's getting difficult already as there are a few bands that I could put here! But I'm going to go with THE ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE. I've seen these live many times, the first time on their "So What" tour back in 1981/82. First album was a punk classic, but sadly they went more metal after this and never really achieved what they perhaps could have. Although their last album The Road to Rampton is really worth a listen. Still going and I believe they are releasing 2 albums this year.
Honourable mentions to;
THE ADICTS - Fun band that I saw a few times. Based in the USA now but still going strong
ABRASIVE WHEELS - not a particularly great band, but did make one of my all time favourite punk albums "Black Leather Girl".
B
I'm gonna go for THE BLOOD here. Absolutely loved their single Meglomania, and their first album False Gestures for a Devious Public, although the production on this was pretty crap. As a point of interest, this album was banned at one time due to the irreverent cover!
Honourable mention to;
BLITZ - Got into these after hearing their song "Warriors" played over the speakers at a Stiff Little Fingers gig, as it sounded superb at full volume!
C
No choice other than THE CLASH really. One of THE punk greats who's music still sounds fresh after 40 years.
D
A more recent band here, and the source of my user name, DIRT BOX DISCO.
Absolutely love these guys! Great tunes, Great fun, and a massive breath of fresh air! If you still go to gigs, get yourself along to see them - you won't be disappointed! One of the best punk bands around at the moment.
Honourable mention to;
DROP KICK MURPHYS - brilliant Celtic Punk.
THE DAMNED - for New Rose.
E
THE ENEMY. Just like Abrasive Wheels, they're not particularly a "great" band, but I'm putting them here as they gave me one of my favourite moments on any punk album. I previously put a link on the other punk thread to their album Gateway to Hell. They have a classical piece as the intro (this will be familiar to anyone who remembers the Old Spice Adverts) and the contrast between this and the opening track is just immense.
F
Struggling here as nothing particularly stands out as being that memorable/important to me, so I'll just go with a couple of Honourable mentions - THE FITS and 4 FOOT FINGERS
G
Was gonna go with GREEN DAY as I love their music, but instead I'm opting for GENERATION X. Not everybody's cup of tea, Billy Idol being an ex public schoolboy and all that, but if you listen to their albums rather than just their well known singles, there are some great tracks to be found.
H
OK, I'm going to use a bit of poetic licence here, as the band I'm choosing isn't really a "Punk" band, but they were labelled as "Glam Punk" (as were The New York Dolls) so I figured I can get away with it.
HANOI ROCKS. My favourite band of all time. Used to follow them all around the Country and have seen them many many times. In their hey-day (early to mid 80's) they attracted all kinds to their gigs - Punks, Skins, Rockers, Normal??, Male/Female, Adults/Kids, and truly could have gone on to be one of the biggest bands in the World. Reformed a few years ago and released more albums, but it was never the same and they since split again.
IJK
Not getting lazy, but I'm going to skip these as nothing really stands out for me - Including THE JAM as I never really got into them.
L
LARS FREDERIKSEN AND THE BASTARDS - Almost didn't include these here as RANCID will probably be my choice later in this list, but given that they play just the kind of thing I love, and they have written some really great tunes, they just pip my other choice under L, LESS THAN JAKE.
M
Loved this band in my younger days, even to the extent of scouring market stalls for a bowler hat!
MAJOR ACCIDENT. A very different sound to most other punk bands, and were labelled as a "Droog" band as their image was influenced (as were The Adicts) by the infamous film "Clockwork Orange". I remember being totally mesmerised by their song Affliction the first time I heard it.
An honourable mention has to go to THE MEMBERS for Sound of the Suberbs - a punk classic.
N
Again, nothing stands out for me.
You might think THE NEW YORK DOLLS would feature here, but for some reason they never did anything for me.
O
This might be one for VANNI here, as it's the kind of band he keeps trying to spoil a perfectly good punk thread with .
Back in the 80's, one branch of punk took a direction which I really did not, and could not, get in to. For me it was tuneless, talentless garbage.
However, there were a few things to salvage from that huge pile of shit and this is one of them.
ONE WAY SYSTEM. Fast, loud, aggressive, but still managed to keep a tune. If I have a crap day at work, playing this really loud in the car on the way home puts everything to rights.
Honourable mention to;
THE OUTCASTS. An Irish band that dared to try something different.
P
Lots of choice here, and honourable mentions must go to THE PROFESSIONALS (Steve Jones and Paul Cook's band following the split of The Sex Pistols) for some truly great tunes, and to THE POGUES for getting me into their particular style of punk.
But the band I'm picking here is PETER AND THE TEST TUBE BABIES. Their album Mating Sounds of South American Frogs is definitely in my top 5, and one of the tracks from it, "Blown Out Again", I could listen to all day.
Q
Nope.
R
As hinted at previously, my choice here is RANCID. I'm not normally too keen on American punk bands, as I think British bands do it much better, but these guys are definitely an exception. Great tunes, great image, and a singer who's voice just drips "punk rock". Definitely one of the best punk bands over the last couple of decades.
I could list loads of honourable mentions here from RESISTANCE 77 to THE REZILLOS, but the one I really want to mention is THE RABBLE. Only discovered these guys fairly recently, and I believe they have now split up, but I absolutely love their music!
S
I'll start with the honourables here, as there can only be one choice for the letter S. Which is kind of a shame as there are plenty that could have been chosen for one reason or another;
THE STIFFS
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
SHAM 69
SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES
SPLODGENESSABOUNDS
SPUNGE
But there can only be one....THE SEX PISTOLS.
It's hard to gauge exactly how much influence the Pistols had on me and many others of my generation, but safe to say it's massive. As a teenager when punk first reared it's ugly head, it was a movement that was "ours" and I loved everything about it. The music, the fashion, the newspaper headlines, the controversy and the total Fuck Off attitude to anyone that didn't understand. The Sex Pistols epitomised punk at that time and must stand out as THE punk band for me.
T
THE TOY DOLLS. Strange but fun band, and were one of the acts playing at one of the best gigs I've been to. Their biggest single was Nellie the Elephant...enough said!
U
Again, no-one really stands out under this letter, but an honourable mention to THE UK SUBS.
V
I'm nominating VICE SQUAD here. Not because I like their music, because I don't, but I used to work with their lead singer Becki Bondage in my first job in the Civil service. I will always remember everyone else turning up to work in smart suits etc, whilst she would turn up with bleached blond spiky hair, leather skirts,studs and ripped fishnet stockings.....brilliant!
W
Stretching things a bit again, as I'm going for THE WILDHEARTS. Not a band that you would immediately label as punk, but definite punk influences there. Definitely worth seeking out some of their stuff if you've never caught them before, as they've made some truly brilliant songs.
X
Gotta be X-RAY SPECS. Poly Styrene has to be one of the best female punk vocalists ever, and when a punk band can introduce a saxophone into their music and make it sound great, how can you argue?
Y
Technically, I suppose this band should come under the letter B as their real name is THE BOYS. However, they renamed themselves THE YOBS to bring out a couple of brilliant Christmas albums. Still remember the faces of people when I slipped their album onto the record player at a stuffy MOD office Christmas party!
Z
Wish there was one, but there isn't!
If you have managed to wade through that lot I hope you enjoyed the read, and if you didn't, well in true punk style....FUCK YOU!
Thought I would put together an A-Z of punk bands that have been important/meant something to me over the years for one reason or another.
This isn't meant to be a list of the best bands, and no doubt I will miss a few that should probably be on any punk list, but feel free to comment or add your own.
I'm not going to add videos as I'd be here all day, but you can pretty much find anything on Youtube these days, so if anything tickles your fancy from the following go have a look/listen.
OK, here goes...........
A
Great, it's getting difficult already as there are a few bands that I could put here! But I'm going to go with THE ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE. I've seen these live many times, the first time on their "So What" tour back in 1981/82. First album was a punk classic, but sadly they went more metal after this and never really achieved what they perhaps could have. Although their last album The Road to Rampton is really worth a listen. Still going and I believe they are releasing 2 albums this year.
Honourable mentions to;
THE ADICTS - Fun band that I saw a few times. Based in the USA now but still going strong
ABRASIVE WHEELS - not a particularly great band, but did make one of my all time favourite punk albums "Black Leather Girl".
B
I'm gonna go for THE BLOOD here. Absolutely loved their single Meglomania, and their first album False Gestures for a Devious Public, although the production on this was pretty crap. As a point of interest, this album was banned at one time due to the irreverent cover!
Honourable mention to;
BLITZ - Got into these after hearing their song "Warriors" played over the speakers at a Stiff Little Fingers gig, as it sounded superb at full volume!
C
No choice other than THE CLASH really. One of THE punk greats who's music still sounds fresh after 40 years.
D
A more recent band here, and the source of my user name, DIRT BOX DISCO.
Absolutely love these guys! Great tunes, Great fun, and a massive breath of fresh air! If you still go to gigs, get yourself along to see them - you won't be disappointed! One of the best punk bands around at the moment.
Honourable mention to;
DROP KICK MURPHYS - brilliant Celtic Punk.
THE DAMNED - for New Rose.
E
THE ENEMY. Just like Abrasive Wheels, they're not particularly a "great" band, but I'm putting them here as they gave me one of my favourite moments on any punk album. I previously put a link on the other punk thread to their album Gateway to Hell. They have a classical piece as the intro (this will be familiar to anyone who remembers the Old Spice Adverts) and the contrast between this and the opening track is just immense.
F
Struggling here as nothing particularly stands out as being that memorable/important to me, so I'll just go with a couple of Honourable mentions - THE FITS and 4 FOOT FINGERS
G
Was gonna go with GREEN DAY as I love their music, but instead I'm opting for GENERATION X. Not everybody's cup of tea, Billy Idol being an ex public schoolboy and all that, but if you listen to their albums rather than just their well known singles, there are some great tracks to be found.
H
OK, I'm going to use a bit of poetic licence here, as the band I'm choosing isn't really a "Punk" band, but they were labelled as "Glam Punk" (as were The New York Dolls) so I figured I can get away with it.
HANOI ROCKS. My favourite band of all time. Used to follow them all around the Country and have seen them many many times. In their hey-day (early to mid 80's) they attracted all kinds to their gigs - Punks, Skins, Rockers, Normal??, Male/Female, Adults/Kids, and truly could have gone on to be one of the biggest bands in the World. Reformed a few years ago and released more albums, but it was never the same and they since split again.
IJK
Not getting lazy, but I'm going to skip these as nothing really stands out for me - Including THE JAM as I never really got into them.
L
LARS FREDERIKSEN AND THE BASTARDS - Almost didn't include these here as RANCID will probably be my choice later in this list, but given that they play just the kind of thing I love, and they have written some really great tunes, they just pip my other choice under L, LESS THAN JAKE.
M
Loved this band in my younger days, even to the extent of scouring market stalls for a bowler hat!
MAJOR ACCIDENT. A very different sound to most other punk bands, and were labelled as a "Droog" band as their image was influenced (as were The Adicts) by the infamous film "Clockwork Orange". I remember being totally mesmerised by their song Affliction the first time I heard it.
An honourable mention has to go to THE MEMBERS for Sound of the Suberbs - a punk classic.
N
Again, nothing stands out for me.
You might think THE NEW YORK DOLLS would feature here, but for some reason they never did anything for me.
O
This might be one for VANNI here, as it's the kind of band he keeps trying to spoil a perfectly good punk thread with .
Back in the 80's, one branch of punk took a direction which I really did not, and could not, get in to. For me it was tuneless, talentless garbage.
However, there were a few things to salvage from that huge pile of shit and this is one of them.
ONE WAY SYSTEM. Fast, loud, aggressive, but still managed to keep a tune. If I have a crap day at work, playing this really loud in the car on the way home puts everything to rights.
Honourable mention to;
THE OUTCASTS. An Irish band that dared to try something different.
P
Lots of choice here, and honourable mentions must go to THE PROFESSIONALS (Steve Jones and Paul Cook's band following the split of The Sex Pistols) for some truly great tunes, and to THE POGUES for getting me into their particular style of punk.
But the band I'm picking here is PETER AND THE TEST TUBE BABIES. Their album Mating Sounds of South American Frogs is definitely in my top 5, and one of the tracks from it, "Blown Out Again", I could listen to all day.
Q
Nope.
R
As hinted at previously, my choice here is RANCID. I'm not normally too keen on American punk bands, as I think British bands do it much better, but these guys are definitely an exception. Great tunes, great image, and a singer who's voice just drips "punk rock". Definitely one of the best punk bands over the last couple of decades.
I could list loads of honourable mentions here from RESISTANCE 77 to THE REZILLOS, but the one I really want to mention is THE RABBLE. Only discovered these guys fairly recently, and I believe they have now split up, but I absolutely love their music!
S
I'll start with the honourables here, as there can only be one choice for the letter S. Which is kind of a shame as there are plenty that could have been chosen for one reason or another;
THE STIFFS
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
SHAM 69
SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES
SPLODGENESSABOUNDS
SPUNGE
But there can only be one....THE SEX PISTOLS.
It's hard to gauge exactly how much influence the Pistols had on me and many others of my generation, but safe to say it's massive. As a teenager when punk first reared it's ugly head, it was a movement that was "ours" and I loved everything about it. The music, the fashion, the newspaper headlines, the controversy and the total Fuck Off attitude to anyone that didn't understand. The Sex Pistols epitomised punk at that time and must stand out as THE punk band for me.
T
THE TOY DOLLS. Strange but fun band, and were one of the acts playing at one of the best gigs I've been to. Their biggest single was Nellie the Elephant...enough said!
U
Again, no-one really stands out under this letter, but an honourable mention to THE UK SUBS.
V
I'm nominating VICE SQUAD here. Not because I like their music, because I don't, but I used to work with their lead singer Becki Bondage in my first job in the Civil service. I will always remember everyone else turning up to work in smart suits etc, whilst she would turn up with bleached blond spiky hair, leather skirts,studs and ripped fishnet stockings.....brilliant!
W
Stretching things a bit again, as I'm going for THE WILDHEARTS. Not a band that you would immediately label as punk, but definite punk influences there. Definitely worth seeking out some of their stuff if you've never caught them before, as they've made some truly brilliant songs.
X
Gotta be X-RAY SPECS. Poly Styrene has to be one of the best female punk vocalists ever, and when a punk band can introduce a saxophone into their music and make it sound great, how can you argue?
Y
Technically, I suppose this band should come under the letter B as their real name is THE BOYS. However, they renamed themselves THE YOBS to bring out a couple of brilliant Christmas albums. Still remember the faces of people when I slipped their album onto the record player at a stuffy MOD office Christmas party!
Z
Wish there was one, but there isn't!
If you have managed to wade through that lot I hope you enjoyed the read, and if you didn't, well in true punk style....FUCK YOU!