Recently, I’ve started listening to a lot of punk music. I had previously almost entirely skipped over the whole punk genre when compiling my collection of CDs, mostly just because I wasn’t really familiar with it. I’ve decided it’s time to rectify this situation.
Obviously, any collection of punk music worth anything needs some of the classics, things like the Clash and the Ramones. Probably the Sex Pistols, though I’ve never really cared for them. Some Talking Heads, I’d imagine. And I’m still trying to find whichever Boomtown Rats album has “I Don’t Like Mondays” on it, but I think I’m the only fan they have.
Of course there’s the stuff that’s popular now, as well. Not Grreen Day and Blink-182, though they aren’t bad. Stuff that gets more respect from punk fans, like NOFX and Rancid. Or even more obscure local bands like the Dropkick Murphys.
But in between that, there’s a good twenty years of stuff that I could use some filling in on. I’m sure we’ve got a few experienced punks here who know what they’re talking about. As a matter of fact, I’m sure of it, as I recall a similar thread not too long ago, but I think it got lost in the void between Dec. 7th and Feb. 11th.
(thread title edited to correct spelling and save my good buddy waterj2 any possible embarrassment. – Uke)
If your in Boston, you should be able to pick up some Ct. punk stuff, like Boiling Man, Broken, Brutally Familiar or The Pist. All the bands range from the early 90’s to current. And while their sound has gotten a little more pop than I remember, The Gravel Pit is a former Ct. band that moved to Boston about 5 or 6 years ago.
To round out the older stuff, I’d go for some Stiff Little Fingers…good Irish militant pacifist stuff from the eighties, and then add some Seven Seconds, which is very political somewhat straight edge stuff with lots of energy. Oh yeah, The Subhumans, my very favorite British punk band. For extra credit you can pick up the Subhuman’s transitional band Culture Shock and some Citizen Fish, the most recent incarnation of The Subhumans which is some of the rare ska/punk stuff that is actually good.
I reccomend Bouncing Souls for some East Coast flavor.
Then I’d check in to some of the more fun Lookout Records stuff…try The Queers and The Mr T Experience and The Groovie Ghoulies. All of these bands are lighter Ramones inspired Berkeley stuff that is a lot of fun.
More Japanese Punk:
GAIA
another band that is not classified as punk but might just as well be (bad ass rockabilly) THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
Although Iggy denies it, and I agree, he is the “god-father” of PUNK (so what does that mean? When it’s parents die he has to take care of 'em all?) In a “classic” collection, you could toss in the STOOGES first two albums (self titled and FUN HOUSE). I only say this because they are cool albums regardless of genre, and they are considered proto-punk (but hey, so was Little Richard, take it with a grain of salt).
Jeez, in the end I didn’t give you any really good suggestion for your question. Check 'em out anyway.
Ahem… have you heard Bad Religion in the past few years!?
Anywho:
Dillinger Four (Greatest punk band out right now)
Dag Nasty
Descendents / ALL
The Pavers
Blaine the Mono ( http://www.blainethemono.com ) <–shamless plug
Circle Jerks
Fugazi
The Dickies
Funeral Oration
That is all I can think of right now, I need more cofee.
F.Y.I…“The Fine Art of Surfacing” is the Rats album with Mondays on it. Also, might I suggest just about anything by Elvis Costello for your collection.
Oh, yes, and also how could we forget The Dwarves? The epitome of punk rock. Their album “Blood, Guts, and Pussy” is a classic. 12 or so songs, the entire album is only 13 minutes long.
Minor Threat (specifically “Out of Step”), Bad Brains, D.O.A., Misfits, Samhain, and any band that had a Skull Skates board (Gang Green, Social Distortion).
I just bought the Violent Femmes-Add it Up (1981-1993). It’s got some good ones, including Blister in the Sun and Kiss Off. I also bought the Dead Milkmen but I’m not sure how well I like that one yet.
I just found a great new band out of Seattle, The Briefs, who are punk with some heavy new wave influences, visit them at http://www.thebriefs.com/
More traditional punks would be Sugar Shack out of Houston, and if you get a chance, pick up Me First and the Gimme Gimme’s “Have a Ball”. Its a punk rock supergroup featuring memebers of NOFX, Lagwagon and two others I can’t think of right off the top of my head. Great Cheesy 70’s hits such as “Seasons in the Sun” “Rocketman” and “Mandy” with punk rock flavorings. On other albums they took on show tunes, and so forth, but “Have a Ball” is the best. On the Garage/Punk side, you can’t have a collection without some of the early Makers on Estrus, or Frigg a GoGo. Maybe some Untamed Youth, and I heartily agree with sven, run do not walk to your nearest “alternative” record store and pick up anything by Thee Machine Gunn Elephant.
Gabba Gabba Hey!
