I was watching SLC Punk for about the fourth time, with a friend who had never seen it before. We decided that until stuff gets serious with Heroin Bob it is one heck of a film with a pretty sweet soundtrack.
What got me thinking during the film is when Matt Lillard’s character asks who invented punk rock first, the British or the Americans, and which is better. He then let’s us know he doesn’t give a stuff, and that he hates the British fashion.
Who Had The Biggest… Bands (Most Influence)
This is probably the weakest argument on which scene is better, because really most people don’t take their music serious enough to find hidden gems from each such as Major Accident, U.S. Bombs, Blitz, or even the Dictators – Shucks.
But anyway here is my list of the three biggest (I would like to say influential but I’m not old enough to know who was actually inspiring all these kickin’ bands) names from each side of the pond. If you care to differ, or know wicked underground bands that didn’t get the credit they deserve shoot me a line.
Let me just say right now I think you could argue that the Pistols, Clash and Ramones are each the most popular ever, but I award number one to…
1. The Clash
I want to put the Sex Pistols up here, but they only had one album (sorta), and they were I believe more about the fashion than the music. The Clash on the other hand released several quality albums, and Joe Strummer was touring with bands almost until the day he died.
The Clash mixed it up with fast pure punk tunes, and dabbled successfully in ska and reggae jams as well. Some criticize the Clash for some of their later music, but you can tell that this was a band that was about the music, not all the hype that can go along with music.
2. The Ramones
The Ramones are just classic. They are such a punk rock cliché that it actually works for them. Three chord punk, fast, with a thick layer of leather. Like the Clash fashion wasn’t what the Ramones were about. Black leather, long hair, some dark shades if you are feeling sassy.
I couldn’t really choose between one and two, but let me tell you after seeing the Queers this summer I can see the influence the Ramones had on them, and I’m sure most American punk bands, but the musical prowess of the Clash gave them the edge.
3. Dead Kennedys
I’m partial, because I think the Kennedys are amazing, so I will just make one point. They may be the most popular political band from the 70s. Politics is huge in punk now so you have got to give them credit. Plus the Kennedys and Jello still tour. Apart, and as enemies, but they both still tour. Actually I had better check on East Bay Ray and the rest of the Dead Kennedys. Who is the drummer now?
4. The Exploited
Oh yeah these guys were political before the Dead Kennedys, but they weren’t quite as unique as Jello n’ the boys musically.
I don’t know who had the first Mohawk (First Nations I guess. It was named after a tribe, and first is in the name) in punk, but these guys are the first I can see that were pictured with them so much, and so colourful. And never has a haircut been so misappropriated by mainstream fashion.
5. Black Flag
Punk got a little tougher when Black Flag formed, and evolved. I’m personally not a fan of the Rollins days, but he is still touring on the spoken word circuit, and is probably one of the more credible characters to come from the punk scene.
Black Flag is like the anti-Pistols. My favourite tunes are from the Chavo, and Morris days, but Dez had his moments. Some of those tunes are the best punk has ever scene Gimme Gimme Gimme, No Values, Wasted. I could go on but I have to get onto the last and probably most controversial selection.
6. The Sex Pistols
Yeah the Sex Pistols are probably overrated, but they were influential, kinda tragic, and embraced all the fashion and pageantry we have gotten used to from punk bands still today (check out Pour Habit – totally awesome and not about fashion – you gotta see the hand stands on stage though). I am anti-Sid Vicious, but I still think Johnny Rotten is the snottiest British punk to date.
I think round one is a draw tune in soon for the next addition
Labels: Punk, Sex Pistols, The Clash
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