# Need some help with 80s punk and new wave **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 14, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465 "2004-09-14T20:52:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/21 "2004-09-15T13:34:47Z")
During the 80s Australian bands largely ignored the overseas trend towards glam rock and produced lots of quality garage music. They played plenty of quality music that is largely little known overseas. Shock records have [this compilation](http://www.shock.com.au/releases/info.asp?release_ID=115371) which starts with seminal bands _Radio Birdman_ and _The Saints_. If you are looking to educate your listeners and introduce them to something they probably haven’t experienced, well check this out. ---
**Author:** ![Gotterfunken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@Gotterfunken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotterfunken)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/22 "2004-09-15T13:50:50Z")
I love all of the bands that have been mentioned so far. Most of my would-be suggestions have already been mentioned, except for **Killing Joke** (their 90s stuff is more “industrial” in style, but their 80s stuff is very punk-inspired). ---
**Author:** ![CTB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@CTB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CTB)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/23 "2004-09-15T14:43:43Z")
I don’t think that you can properly cover this era and genre of music without adding the 3rd wave ska folks - The Specials, English Beat, The Selector, Madness, Bad Manners, Hepcat, Bodysnatchers, Fishbone, the Untouchables, the Pietasters, etc. The music may not be “punk” per se, but the same crowd was generally found at both shows. I haven’t seen The Cult mentioned, and Love is one of the best albums of that decade IMHO. Some others off the top of my head (mostly 80s alternative): Hoodoo Gurus, Camper van Beethoven, REM, The Connells, Big Country (an incredible band unfortunatly only really known for one song), Sinead O’Connor, Adam Ant, The Alarm, Bad Religion, Echo & the Bunnymen, Fear, fiREHOSE, Generation X, INXS, Let’s Active, Living Color, Midnight Oil, Split Enz, Squeeze, Jesus Mary Chain, and for some real fun, the Toy Dolls. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/24 "2004-09-15T16:22:20Z")
For good (hell, make that excellent) reference material, try to dig up any of the _Trouser Press_ guides. IIRC, there are four editions, but any of them can work for you. They’re out of print, so you best bet is to start looking in used book stores. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/25 "2004-09-15T16:53:04Z")
Another punk act from the late '70’s: The Contortions: Buy the Contortions ('79). Perhaps best described as “art-noise punk-jazz”. If you like Dick Hell & the Voidoids, Nick Cave & The Birthday Party, and The Lounge Lizards, you’ll love these guys. For one thing, they had a guitarist who was a Robert Quine sound-alike, and a rapid-riffing saxophonist… A few relatively obscure items to look for from the early '80’s: The Birthday Party [prev. the Aussie band Boys Next Door, both with Nick Cave]: \*\*Prayers on Fire \*\* and \*\*Drunk on the Pope’s Blood \*\* (both '81). The Vapors: \*\*New Clear Days \*\* ('79) and **Magnets** ('81), since consolidated on one budget CD under the title **Vaporized**. Widely dismissed as one-hit wonders (for “Turning Japanese” from NCD), their albums are suprisingly good. XTC: **Explode Together (The Dub Experiments, '78-'80)** (released on CD under that title in '90). Andy Partridge took tracks from their first three LPs and smashed them together, with lots of distortion, compression, added dub rhythm tracks, etc. Musically, it’s really for XTC fans only, who can have fun identifying the musical bits, but this album anticipated trends in electronica/techno, 80’s ska revival, and the eclectic turntablism of artists like DJ Danger Mouse ( **The Grey Album** ). The Golden Palominos: \*\*The Golden Palominos \*\* ('83). This LP is truly unique (and sounds nothing like the rest of the GP’s discography); perhaps best classified as “SoHo art-noise jamming”. Particularly recommended for fans of percussion and the NYC arts scene. Corrections: Elvis Costello’s \*\*Armed Forces \*\* came out in '79, and I overlooked his \*\*This Year’s Model \*\* from '78. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/26 "2004-09-15T20:27:26Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > My [radio show](http://www.the80scheesefactory.com) has undergone a format change. Instead of doing two hours of 80s music, we’re now doing three. I thought it would be a good thing if we devoted the last hour to punk and new wave, since I don’t really play that. Part of the reason you wouldn’t is that you can’t: > [@](#): > > I have excellent news for the world. There is no such thing as new wave.It does not exist. It’s, uh, it’s a figment of a lame cunt’s imagination. There was never any such thing as new wave. It was the polite thing to say when you were trying to explain you were not into the boring old rock n’ roll but you didn’t dare to say ‘punk’ because you were afraid to get kicked out of the fucking party and they wouldn’t give you coke anymore. There is new music, there is new underground sound, there is noise, there is punk, there is power pop, there is ska, there is rockabilly but new wave doesn’t mean shit. I’d say that some of the genre-defining punk bands are: The Exploited Dead Kennedys Minor Threat Black Flag Fear Circle Jerks Suicidal Tendencies GBH JFA The Misfits The bands served different roles. For example, Minor Threat defined D.C., straight-edge hard core; The Exploited, so I was told, were a band that straddled punk & oi!, and played a hard, fast, British punk—foot-tall mohawks, bondage pants and Dr. Martin’s would indicate that a person probably had an Exploited album or two; Circle Jerks, Suicidal Tendencies, & JFA (Jodi Foster’s Army), IIRC, were what would become skateboarding punk music; The Misfits put satan in punk and their fans looked the part. Watching _The Decline of Western Civilization_ would be good for you, I’m sure. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/27 "2004-09-15T23:19:25Z")
Ahhh my personal favorite section of music. Here are my reccomendations: New Wave: The cure - Pornography, Disintigration, Head on the door Depeche Mode - Music for the masses and Black Celebration (there are also 2 cd’s of singles our from just their 80’s years) XTC - Skylarking, Oranges and Lemons, English Settlement Bauhaus - Swing the Heartache (or there are 2 great compilation CDs) Oingo Boingo - Anthology has all their great stuff on it but if you don’t want best of’s i reccomend “nothing to fear” Echo and the Bunnymen - pretty much any album Romeo Void - can’t recall the album name but it has the song Never say Never Fishbone - Truth and Soul or the self titled EP. The Smiths - Meat is Murder, Strangeways here we come, Louder than Bombs, The Queen is dead The The - Infected and Mind Bomb Not really new wave - The pogues - hell’s ditch Underworld (not the elctronic stuff the 80’s stuff) - Underneith the radar, change the weather Fruer - doot doot Peter Schilling - pretty much just the song “major tom” David Bowie - Let’s Dance Men at work - business as usual Adam ant - dirk wears white socks, friend or foe, kings of the wild frontier punk: The Dickies - Stukas over disneyland Descendants - Milo goes to college The Misfits - Collection 1 and Collection 2 has all their best stuff The Vandals - Fear of a Punk Planet Dead Kennedys - Give Me Convenience or give me death 7 seconds - Walk Together Rock Together The Adverts - pretty much any album GBH - any album MDC - millions of dead cops Black Flag - Wasted, damaged Iggy Pop - Lust for Life Circle Jerks - group sex/Wild in the Streets Social Distortion - self titled, somewhere between heaven and hell, mommy’s little monster, mainliner THe Ramones - rocket to russia, road to ruin The Stooges - self titled Operation Ivy - self titled The Cramps - songs the lord taught us Angry Samoans - back from samoa A good collection of stuff is on some soundtracks… like pick up the soundtrack to SLC Punk or Repo man, they have good collections If you want more i can give you more 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/28 "2004-09-16T01:28:38Z")
Sitting somewhere between New Wave and Punk don’t forget Industrial (especially Wax Trax! stuff). I didn’t see it mentioned previously, so here goes: Big Black (Rich Man’s 8-track Tape is best IMO, the big hit on this album was the song “Kerosene” although the my college station always played “Jordan” whenever I called in) for those who appreciate the punk. Ministry (With Sympathy can go on your regular New Wave show and Twitch would work there as well although it’s a bit darker. Land of Rape and Honey (especially “Stigmata”) and The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste (especially “Burning Inside” and “Thieves”) would go well with the punk part of the show). For some reason KMFDM always appeals to nonrivetheads. I have no idea why. I highly recommend looking into those bands and albums for your show. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/29 "2004-09-16T02:35:21Z")
I agree with the industrial and goth … I vote for: **Skinny Puppy** “Smothered Hope” **Ministry** “Stigmata” **Sisters of Mercy** “Lucretia (My Reflection)” **Depeche Mode** “Fly on the Windscreen” **Erasure** “A Little Respect” What do you mean one of these doesn’t fit in? ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/30 "2004-09-16T02:47:16Z")
_The Cult_ occupied an important space in the early 80’s music scene and bridged and evolved through both the punk and new wave genres. Originally known as _The Southern Death Cult_ they were a decidely punk influenced band, having initial success in 1982 England with a self titled album and the singles _Moya_ and _Fatman_. In 1983 they truncated the name and became _The Death Cult_ (_God’s Zoo, Brothers Grimm, Ghost dance, Horse nation_). They released the album _Dreamtime_ in 1984 with their final, yet again minimalized, name, _The Cult_, and had a #1 hit in the single _Spiritwalker_. This period of music solidly lodged them in the punk category. They changed direction with their next album and first international success, 1985’s _Love_ (_She Sells Sanctuary, Rain, Nirvana_), this album is usually categorized as New Wave and definitely was a 180 degree change in direction from their Punk roots. Billy Duffy, the Cult’s guitarist also came from the early 80’s English punk scene originally playing for the punk groups _The Nosebleeds_ and _Theatre of Hate_. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/31 "2004-09-16T05:12:18Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > During the 80s Australian bands largely ignored the overseas trend towards glam rock and produced lots of quality garage music. They played plenty of quality music that is largely little known overseas. Shock records have [this compilation](http://www.shock.com.au/releases/info.asp?release_ID=115371) which starts with seminal bands _Radio Birdman_ and _The Saints_. > > If you are looking to educate your listeners and introduce them to something they probably haven’t experienced, well check this out. Heartily seconded. **Radio Birdman** are awesome. Sometimes called “pre-punk,” a lot of their stuff anticipates punk music, but some also harks back to the rhythms of surfer music, and there are places where they show a definite **Doors** influence (the song “Man with Golden Helmet” comes to mind). I’d also like to throw in a vote for the LA band **X**. They toured last year, and i saw them when they visited Baltimore. Despite the fact that they’re (almost) old enough to be my parents, they still rock. Someone else mentioned the British band **The Buzzcocks** , who are also great. Saw them here in Baltimore last year, too. If you want to play one of their songs that non-punk fans will recognize, try “Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t 've),” which was covered by the **Fine Young Cannibals** on their 1989 album _The Raw and the Cooked_. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/32 "2004-09-16T05:32:33Z")
No one’s mentioned the **Rezillos** or the **Revillos**? How about **Hayzee Fantayzee**? **X-Ray Spex**? Y’all ain’t tryin’. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/33 "2004-09-16T05:47:35Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > Another ‘80s favorite of mine: the Pogues’ album “Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash”–the finest moment of this band that combined Irish folk music with the energy and attitude of punk rock. It was produced by Elvis Costello, who is no slouch when it comes to fine '80s-era music either. That’s one of my favorites too, although i think that the previous album, _Red Roses For Me_, also has some rollicking good stuff. “Waxie’s Dargle,” for example, shows great punk energy. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/34 "2004-09-16T13:45:13Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > No one’s mentioned the **Rezillos** or the **Revillos**? How about **Hayzee Fantayzee**? **X-Ray Spex**? > > Y’all ain’t tryin’. “Shiny Shiny”? Give me a break. That song, like Klaus Nommi’s “Total Eclipse” only work in video format, where the kitsch can be seen and duly appreciated. Just hearing the songs is boring (much like watching _Rocky Horror Picture Show_ at home on DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/35 "2004-09-16T15:44:35Z")
I’d just like to pipe up with Mission of Burma. The songs “Acadamy Fight Song, That’s When I Reach For My Revolver, and That’s How I Escaped My Certain Fate” are personal favorites. For the Pogues, don’t forget “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” The energy was still there for this one (especially Bottle of Smoke and Medley), but the production values are a bit better. Don’t bother with Peace and Love or anything after. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/36 "2004-09-17T01:54:26Z")
So far, I’ve been able to find the Sex Pistols’ “Never Mind the Bollocks” and “London Calling” by the Clash. I’ve also got some random songs; not much, but enough to get me through the first week or so. I need to scope out the local used-record store for the rest of these. Robin ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2004, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/37 "2004-09-17T03:02:35Z")
I’ll suggest the B52’s and Wild Planet. B-52s first album 1979 B-52’s Wild Planet 1980 ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/38 "2004-09-18T07:15:43Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > I need to scope out the local used-record store for the rest of these. Robin I was composing this post when the hamsters exceeded critical mass and imploded. 😉 C’mon down to my part of town-there’s a huge used CD/music store in York. See if there’s anything you need to raid from my library, too. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/39 "2004-09-18T07:38:31Z")
You can never go wrong with **the Dickies**. Check out _Dawn of the Dickies_. _Stukas over Disneyland_ has already been suggested. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465/40 "2004-09-18T10:22:09Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > I was composing this post when the hamsters exceeded critical mass and imploded. 😉 > > C’mon down to my part of town-there’s a huge used CD/music store in York. See if there’s anything you need to raid from my library, too. But, but, but… it’s in _York!_! 😉 Seriously, some day when I’ve got some time (heh) AND money on the same day, I’ll come out, we can do lunch, then do the music store. Robin [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-help-with-80s-punk-and-new-wave/264465.md?page=3)