Lucky enough to have been a 16 year old in 77. The Damned was my first punk LP. The Stranglers "London Lady" was my first punk single. The Vibrators "Baby baby baby" was my favourite punk single. Didn't make it to Caerphilly for the Pistols but did see the Clash, Stranglers, Buzzcocks, The Damned, Johnny Thunder & the Heartbreakers, the Ramones etc around that time. As well as other non punk but definitely worth seeing bands at the time like The Boomtown Rats, the Jam, Eddie and the Hot Roads, the Undertones, Elvis Costelllo, Ian Dury, The Motors, Dr Feelgood etc as well as one of my favourites Radio Stars.
Nice One Ninian. I was born in 1960 so about the same age as you. My first Punk LP was The Damned, as well. Never forget the first time I listened to 'Neat Neat Neat'. Three Seconds in and I was a changed man. Literally. My first punk single was one of the Buzzzcocks early ones...Love you more (I think). Between about 1976 and 1982ish saw about two or three bands a week. Caught most of the ones on your list. Other Stand-outs for me were The Skids, Razillo's, UK Subs, Tom Robinson Band. Missed out on the Ramones, which is a big regret (though did see Joey Ramone join The Damned for an encore (The Stones' 'Last Time') in about 1980). I Loved my music prior to that time, and still try and keep up with whats' going on these days as well, but I don't think anything comes close to those couple of years at the arse end of the seventies.
Recall the Rezillos failed to turn up at Cardiff Uni, so the Undertones who were support, played their set twice! Don't think I caught the Skids but had all their singles. Saw XTC at the Rank. The Ramones were my absolute favourite band though - still listen to their early 33's and others right up to their last Adios Amigo in 1995. Saw them in the Rank in 78 and also 86 but regret missing their Cardiff gig to go see the City get trounced at Newport in Welsh Cup in 80. Also rated the early Jam stuff before Weller lost the plot IMO. Early Dexys and Madness also right up there. 2 favourites here: still send shivers down my spine
nice tunes lads, u lucky buggers......I was four in 77.....my era started at the end of yours by the sounds of it.....I loved the stuff out in your teens years but I was forced into what was born from the punk attitude, the blitz the oppressed 2name just a couple of the genre at the time>>>>>>it could have been a lot worse I could have lost my soul in pop and jimmy fking fix it badges whilst glued 2the bbc mind control programme. luckily music gives you a great getaway from reality and thanks 2 the lyrics of great minds like john lennon and all the other great musical masters out there,you can feel some kind of peace and unity amongst other like minded souls around the globe.....which is nice 2 see for a change now and then like
gotta be the best welsh band at the moment>>>>>>if anyone got anything better then chuck it fking up and give us a listen....
BOWIE'S DIED What an absolute gutter. The guy was an absolute genius. Followed him form the age of 10 until now, aged 55. A fiiting finale: Good-bye Ziggy Stardust, Good-bye Major Tom. Good-bye Thin White Duke, Good-bye Nathan Adler, Good-bye Aladin Sane. R.I.P.
If you're sad today, just remember the world is over 4 billion years old and you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie.
His early 70's stuff resonates with me more than any other era although I thought Ashes to Ashes and Putting out the Fire and Absolute Beginners and Blue Jean were great. Starman was such a great memory for me watching on TOTP as a young lad. Life on Mars still is fantastic. Changes, John I'm only Dancing and Jean Jeanie likewise. One of the few genuine rock stars that can be called great. ps. Still laugh at this though -
Yes ninian...the pre Space Oddity stuff was a hoot...check these out: Still pretty cool stuff...and there are a few gems to be found as well:
Hey Aber, hawyadoin dude Great memories Ninian, Punk still rocks doesn't it? Whiffle, 1960, a great year to be born, you and me both brother About Bowie, I can appreciate his talents but was never a fan. I did like his attitude to life but only a couple of his songs. Early stuff in the 70's was great but a bit poppy since for my tastes. I still cant play or watch any Motorhead, I just well up. Lemmy was a huge part of my lifes' playlist from as far back as the early 70's Favourite Bowie/Eno song Don't know why but Peter Gabriel just stops me dead in my tracks and I have to listen. This is my favourite alternative version of heroes. I had an opportunity to go see Bowie in 1980 but another choice came up which meant either going to see Bowie with a bunch of Girls or go see a then new Brit band called GirlsShool on my own. No-brainer, guess where I ended up? They absolutely rocked then and they still absolutely rock now Fantastic, THE greatest all girl heavy rockers ever ever ever imho. Saw them quite a few times, many times on the same bill with Motorhead.
