Punk's Not Dead!

"I listen to punk." I shudder when people say that. Because it's generally followed by a mumbled, shaky comment about the Sex Pistols. You're a punk because you've had Never Mind the Bollocks since ninth grade? You're the only disaffected teenager out there, right? Or perhaps you're a disaffected old fart that just bought a Pistols shirt from that store in the mall? Either way, you... and only you, are a true punk, right?

This is literally my worst nightmare in terms of a conversation. Almost without fail, these people have no real musical knowledge whatsoever.

I understand the historical significance of the Pistols. Of course, Never Mind the Bollocks is good. But then, Johnny Rotten on the mic is enough to make any band great! No one has a voice like that! Especially, when he screams through 'Bodies'. That song is as shocking today as it was then!

But, if you really want to be a "Punk", you'd better build a bigger catalog. Go and listen to Spiral Scratch by The Buzzcocks. This four-song EP has all the frantic, frenetic, chaos that "punks" are always looking for and it all happens in only ten minutes. Then go listen to Pink Flag by Wire.

Then, come back to the United States to bands like Television, Patti Smith, The Stooges or even The Velvet Underground if you really want to hear art. But, continue past 1976-77... the best music associated with the punk movement didn't arrive until 1978 and lasted until 1983.