Rocks formed way back in 1976 in Sydney, Australia and were a trio featuring Bill Webb (aka Bill Posters) (drums/lead vocals), Peter Davie (guitar/vocals) and Steve Vanderschoot (bass/lead vocals). In early 1978 Greg Morris joined (from Johnny Dole And The Scabs) on drums to allow Bill Webb to concentrate on vocal duties.
May 1978 saw the release of debut ep, You'r So Boring and it's a song from that ep that you'll find below. Shortly afterwards the band split but they got back together a few years later with a revamped line up and released the Combat Zone album (1994) as well as the Final Assault ep (1988) and a 7" split with The Loudmouths (2000).
She knows what she's doing to you
She don't care what you go through
Just Kick Her Out........
You'll probably already be familiar with Cleveland, Ohio's The Pagans but as Mike Hudson, ever present vocalist from the band has kindly compiled a top 10 list for the blog (check tomorrow's update for that), I think it's about time I posted a song by them. I was tempted to go with their contribution to the recent split ep with The Guillotines but as my Just Some Punk Songs live broadcast has a remit to play new punk music I'll save that song for next Tuesday's show. If you want to check it out though you'll find it here : https://just4fun2.bandcamp.com/album/pagans-the-guillotines-split-ep.
Another recent release you might want to lend an ear to is 2014's Hollywood Eye : https://ruindiscos.bandcamp.com/album/hollywood-high. I think you'll agree that even after nearly 40 years, this is a band that are still releasing great music.
The song I'm going with today was released way back in 1978 on the flip side of the Street Where Nobody Lives single and is called What's This Shit Called Love? I'd say they don't make them like this anymore but Mike still is. Check back tomorrow to find out what his favourite 10 songs are...
Following her sacking from X Ray Spex, saxophonist Lora Logic (real name Susan Whitby) went on to team up with Phillip Legg (guitar), Mark Turner (bass), Rich Tea (drums) and Dave Wright (tenor sax) in a band called Essential Logic. She was the lead singer as well as playing sax and xylophones.
By the time they released their debut single, 1978's Aerosol Burns, Stuart Acton (guitar) and Tim Wright (bass) were in the band. They put out the Wake Up ep on Virgin Records before signing to Rough Trade who released their only album, 1979's Beat Rhythm News - Waddle Ya Play? as well as a handful of singles. They split in 1980, Logic released some solo work and recorded with Red Crayola, Kolla Kestaa, The Raincoats and Swell Maps. She also played sax on the Stranglers classic Hey! (Rise Of The Robots). Kill Rock Stars put out a collection of her music in 2003 called Fanfare In The Garden : An Essential Logic Collection.
Pioneering punk fanzine Sniffin' Glue issued a call to arms back in '77 when it proclaimed "here are 3 chords, now form a band." It was a suggestion that was acted upon by a generation of bored kids who were discovering that you didn't have to be a talented musician to be in a band and make music.
One band who were a prime example of the punk diy ethos were The Desperate Bicycles who formed in Dalston, East London, in March 1977 and who's intent was to record and release a single on their own label (Refill Records). They booked a local studio for 3 hours and for the princely sum of £153 produced the Smokescreen 7", a debut single which turned enough of a profit to finance the follow up, The Medium Was Tedium.
Next up was the New Cross, New Cross ep (from which today's song is taken) and then another single called Occupied Territory. Their only album was a Porky Prime Cut (if you're an old bugger like myself, you'll possibly remember that record engineer George "Porky" Peckham would etch his trademark into the run out grooves of many of the eras vinyl discs) called Remorse Code.
One more single followed, Grief Is Very Private, before they split in 1981. It's not easy to get hold of their records nowadays as they've never wanted to go down the road of re releasing or reissuing.
This is Advice On Arrest...... it won't happen here they can't do it to me i've got nothing to fear never seen the spg we've got democracy who needs solidarity this is what to do when it happens to you!
shout out your name take all their numbers make witnesses for your defence at the station they will search you make a list of your belongings don't sign for something you don't own at the station there'll be questions don't answer, see a lawyer first don't make a written statement without legal advice
"LIVING ROUND HERE MAKES ME WANT TO THROW UP 'CAUSE PEOPLE ROUND HERE SAY WE GOTTA GROW UP BUT WE DON'T MIND 'CAUSE YOU AND I BOTH KNOW LOVE IS BLIND....."
Another trip back in time today, this time to feature a song from a band that included in their line up bassist Derek Forbes, who went on to achieve success with Simple Minds, Propaganda and most recently Big Country for whom he replaced Tony Butler.
From Glasgow and originally called The Subhumans (after an article on Iggy Pop), The Subs got together in 1977. As well as Forbes they also featured Callum Cuthbertson (vocals), Kevin Key (guitar), and Alli MacKenzie (drums).
Winning a Stiff/Chiswick Challenge led to them signing a one record deal with Stiff Records (after they turned down an offer from Boring Records) who released their sole single, Gimme Your Heart/Party Clothes and it was successful enough that a follow up was in the works but they split before this materialised.
Sounding to my ears a little like Generation X covering These Boots Were Made For Walking, this is Gimme Your Heart......
Usually I avoid posting songs by the biggest names in punk as I'd rather go with stuff people might not have heard, but I'll occasionally slip one in. It probably won't be a hit single, more likely a classic album track or a b side that whilst most people will be familiar with it, there'll be a few that might be unaware of it's existence. Today I'm selecting one of my favourite songs, it's by Londoners, X Ray Spex. Formed in 1976 and best known for the distinctive vocals of Poly Styrene, they only released the one album during their original run, 1978's Germfree Adolescents, but it remains one of the genres best.
They also released a handful of classic singles, Oh Bondage Up Yours!, The Day The World Turned Day-Glo, Identity, Germ Free Adolescents and Highly Inflammable. Unfortunately they called it a day in 1979 not long after Styrene had left though they got back together a couple of times in the 90's and released an album, comprising mainly of songs the singer originally intended to perform solo, called Concious Consumer.
Tragically Poly Styrene died of cancer in 2011. Her music lives on though, if you're one of the few people that hasn't yet heard this song, you're in for a treat. This is I Live Off You.....
i live off you and you live of me and the whole world lives off of everybody
see we gotta be exploited see we gotta be exploited be somebody be somebody be somebody
the cat eats the rat while the pimp beats the whore as she just screams out for more and more
see we gotta be exploited see we gotta be exploited be somebody be somebody be somebody
I've a couple more top 10 lists in the pipeline but whilst I'm awaiting their arrival I'll take the opportunity to add a 1 minute blast of quality 70's punk rock. Formed in 1976 in Santa Ana, California, The Middle Class featured Jeff Atta (vocals), Mike Atta (guitar), Mike Patton (bass) and Bruce Atta (drums). Their first release, 1978's Out Of Vogue ep is often credited with being the first hardcore single, it's certainly one of the fastest songs of that era. Other band's such as Black Flag and Bad Brains were around at the same time and achieved greater success but The Middle Class are still highly regarded to this day by fans of the genre, the rarity of some of their records ensures that they go for top dollar.
1980 saw the release of the 4 track Scavenged Luxury ep and this was followed a couple of years later by their Homeland album.They introduced synth to their sound and slowed things down, this was largely due to the violence that had sprung up at their gigs (and which affected much of the Orange County punk scene in the early 80's). Getting fed up of the constant touring whilst not seeming to progress they called it a day in 1982. Tragically Mike Atta died earlier this year of cancer so this post is dedicated to him. This is Out Of Vogue, please play loud.....
Sounds just an overdub Hate is just a fashion show (i dont' understand this) The hate it starts and never ends
We dont need we get our fill Its esoteric overkill Its a shiny new aesthetic Get us out of vogue
We dont need your magazines We dont need you fashion show We dont need your tv We dont want to know
We dont need we get our fill Its esoteric overkill Its a shiny new aesthetic Get us out of vogue
One thing I've discovered from doing this blog is how much great punk music came out of Belgium that I missed out on first time around (check out a compilation called Punk In Brussels 1977-1979 : Everything Is Shit). Today I'm posting a song by a band that formed in Brussels in 1977 and featured, amongst others, Chainsaw's guitarist Jerry Wanker. They split in May 1978 but a few months later vocalist Peter Schlager reformed them with a different line up (this line up featured Chainsaw's drummer Bob Seyton). This version of the band didn't last very long either, splitting in the summer of '79. The only release i can find for X-Pulsion is a split ep with Streets which surfaced in 1978, from it is this excellent Heaven Only Knows....
An oldie today by a band that are often referred to as being the Mexican Ramones but were actually inspired by The New York Dolls and The Velvet Underground. Forming in 1976 in Chula Vista, California, the band originally consisted of teenagers Javier Escovedo (vocals/guitar), Robert Lopez (aka El Vez)(guitar), Hector Penalosa (bass) and Baba Chenelle (drums). Their first single, Wimp/Don't Push Me Around, was released the following year and this was followed in 1978 by the classic Beat Your Heart Out/Wild Weekend. 1980 saw them put out one of the eras finest albums, also entitled Don't Push Me Around, it's a collection of great songs that should be on every punk fan's shelf. They split in the early 80's but resurfaced in the 90's with new material and have toured intermittently ever since. Also covered by The Muffs, their second single is probably my favourite song of theirs, this is Beat Your Heart Out.....
After asking for suggestions for songs that I could add to the blog I received a shout from David Burt who said "... I like the Scabs interview & good to see Martin & The Brownshirts. How about adding Johnny Curious & The Strangers?" The reasons for me doing this blog are twofold, firstly I'm hoping people will discover some great music that they were previously unaware of and secondly, I'm hoping I'll discover some great music that I was previously unaware of. Hopefully everyone's a winner today.
A bit of research tells me that Johnny Curious & The Strangers originated in Welwyn Garden City in 1976 and featured a line up consisting of Bob Greene (bass/vocals), Alan Cowley (lead guitar/vocals), John Phillips (rhythm guitar/vocals) and Ian Cowley (drums). By 1977 they'd saved up enough money to book a couple of days recording time at Spacewood Studios and they put together a 4 track demo which attracted the attention of Lee Wood who wanted to release it. Unfortunately their manager at the time, Sue Black, vetoed this as she was courting interest from major labels, it eventually ended up released in a re recorded and watered down version on Miles Copeland's Illegal Records. They attracted the interest of John Peel, shared a bill with several name bands, including The Stranglers, Siouxsie And The Banshees, X Ray Spex, Adam And The Ants and The Heartbreakers but by early 1978 things pretty much fizzled out. If you want to read more, there's a very good interview with John Phillips here : http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/johnnycuriousinterview.htm
The song I'm posting is taken from their 1978 single, this is Pissheadsville.....
I'm going to post another Canadian classic today, this one's from 1978 (although I don't think it was actually released till 1991 when it surfaced on a compilation album) and it's by a Vancouver band called The Stiffs. I don't know much about the band except that a couple of them (Gerry Hannah and Mike Graham) went on to be members of The Subhumans (the ones from Canada not England). The Subhumans did their own version of the song and it was also covered by several other bands including D.O.A. and Screeching Weasel. A slice of proper punk, full of attitude and spite, this is Fuck You......
Following on from yesterday's update in which i mentioned a few of the countries from which I'd posted songs, I got a shout out not to forget Canada. So today I'm adding one of Canada's finest bands, a band that took inspiration for their name from a Monty Python sketch ("We want to learn how to defend ourselves against pointed sticks, do we?"). Formed in Vancouver in 1978 and originally known as Ernie Dick and the Pointed Sticks (a name that was quickly and probably wisely shortened to Pointed Sticks), they stayed together till 1981, releasing an album called Perfect Youth and a handful of singles. Blending punk and power pop they enjoy a legendary status both at home and overseas, 2006 saw them reforming for a Japanese tour and this in turn lead to the release of a 2009 album called Three Lefts Make A Right. Whilst we wait for their new album, this is their debut single, What Do You Want Me To Do?.......
You walked out took your chance You turned your back on our romance You said you'd found somebody new You said the change would do you good
But then the bubble burst your dream Turned into a nightmare scream He pushed you till you nearly cracked But now you say you want me back
But baby, baby, what do you want me to do (what do you want me to do) Say that I need you more (need you more) Is that what real lovers do (is that what real lovers do) Or only what you use me for (use me for)
You never even gave me a thought You figured that I'd be alright I never had a chance to persuade you You never let me put up a fight
You wanted that boy so bad Until you found out that you'd been had You came crawling to me on your knees Asking me to love you please But baby, baby, what do you want me to do (what do you want me to do) Say that I need you more (need you more) Is that what real lovers do (is that what real lovers do) Or only what you use me for (use me for)
But baby, baby, what do you want me to do (what do you want me to do) Say that I need you more (need you more) Is that what real lovers do (is that what real lovers do) Or only what you use me for (use me for)
One of the best aspects of doing this blog is when someone draws my attention to a great old song that I'd previously never heard of, on this occasion it's a big thank you to Greg Mongroll for unearthing todays gem. I know absolutely sod all about The Vertical Strokers (they even appear to be misspelt on their sole youtube appearance) but from what I can quickly gather they hailed from Brighton and the only 2 songs I can find anywhere by them are Holidays and Saturday Girls. If anyone knows anything else please post your info in the comments section. This is Saturday Girls and it's far too good to be so obscure so please share it with your friends.....
Today's song was re released last year but it originally came out in 1978 and was by Chester band Martin And The Brownshirts. Formed in 1977 by a group of teenagers who were inspired by the likes of The Tubes and Frank Zappa they wrote their most famous song the day after seeing the Robert Di Niro movie of the same name at the cinema. They didn't last much longer, they'd always suffered problems with violence and racism at their gigs, largely due to their name, this despite having no right wing leanings themselves (they even played several rock against racism gigs). They changed their name to The Co-Starz but their musical style changed too, later the vocalist and drummer played with The Montellas. This however is their "hit" Taxi Driver......
This is the last of the sci fi themed oldies for now, the rest of the week will feature some more up to date tunes. Art Attacks were a London band who were only around for a year between April 77 and March 78, in that time they released two singles and appeared on a couple of compilation albums. Vocalist Edwin Pouncey went on to achieve fame as artist Savage Pencil, the band splitting when he left to finish his degree at The London Royal College Of Art. This is the excellent I Am A Dalek.....
It's good Friday today, the Easter Weekend is upon us and I've decided the songs over the next 4 days are going to have a loose sci fi theme. First up is a band from the planet Accrington (it's located in the Lancs constellation) called The Cybermen. Like a good few of the bands in this blog they released very little before disappearing (why don't these bands get the recognition that they deserve? most of the general public don't deserve ears). Comprising of Ian P Dixon on vocals/bass, Paul M Milek on drums and Roger Entwistle on guitar and vocals they released just the 2 singles on their own Rockaway label. Released in 1978 and sporting a rocking upbeat tempo, this is Cybernetic Surgery.....
A bit of an oddity today but one that's catchy as hell. I know virtually nothing about Helen Keller except that they aren't the famous deaf and blind female author/teacher but are the brainchild of of a guy called Norman Durkee who used to write jingles for adverts. They only recorded a handful of tracks but this one, Surfin' With Steve And E.D. Amin is gonna get lodged inside your brain.....
It makes me feel old when i look back for songs to post in the blog and come across something from 1978 and think "I bought that when it was released." If i remember correctly I'd not heard the record before buying it but thought the cover looked intriguing. Fortunately the music contained within was excellent.
From Tyne And Wear in the north east of England, The Carpettes were formed (in 1977) by 3 members of a band called Brown Sugar (as the name suggests they were influenced by The Rolling Stones). A couple of singles on the Small Wonder label were followed by a move to Beggars Banquet for 3 more singles and a couple of albums. Despite splitting in the summer of 1981 they've been back in one form or another since 1996. The record i bought all those years ago was named after their record company, this is Small Wonder?
I don`t need record companies that wanna rule me.
All of them think so obscene
But I don`t care about publicity
I just don`t care for your generosity.
Small Wonder SmallWonder Small Wonder Small Wonder
They give you the bright idea to be a star You`ll never make it, you`ll never go far They say a good musician gone to waste I tell you it`s just a stupid taste
Small Wonder SmallWonder Small Wonder Small Wonder
You talk about popularity
D`ya think that it`s a wise move
The useless generation knows nothing , so what does it prove?
I can tell you straight to your face
Small Wonder the saviour of the human race yeah!
Small Wonder Small Wonder Small Wonder Small Wonder
Classic power pop/punk today. Protex, from Belfast, were formed in 1977. Originally called Protex Blue after the song by their main influences The Clash they soon gained a reputation as a great live band and attracted the interest of British record companies despite still being at school. Unfortunately they split in 1981 after just a few singles, their album, Strange Obsessions, didn't get a proper release till 2010 but at least it's release led to a couple of the original members reforming and getting back out on the road. This is the wonderful Don't Ring Me Up......
One of the reasons for starting this blog was that it would lead to me seeking out new songs that i enjoyed enough to include herein. One song that I've recently discovered is Fascist Cops by The Kids. To be honest, I'd never heard of them before, I'd no idea whether I should have heard of them or whether they were pretty much unknown. A little digging reveals they're a Belgian band who formed way back in 1976 (Fascist Cops was released in 1978 and appeared on their self titled lp) and are still active today. Ideally I'd have been listening to this 36 years ago but better late than never, it stands the test of time very well and I'd urge you all to give it a listen....
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb()/discogs-images/A-278619-1112950710.jpg.jpg)
