Punk rock has a history that is actually quite long, and its genesis can be traced to the mid-1960’s, around the same time as psychedelic rock, acid rock, and other rock music sub genres came into existence.
A strong case has been made that the lyrical themes of punk rock, which often incorporate cynicism, sarcasm, sex, drugs, violence and other topics not ready for prime time radio, were first heard in the songs of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. Based in NY, Reed has often been hailed by music critics as “the Godfather of Punk,” and early songs like, Heroin, Venus in Furs, and Waiting For My Man certainly support the mantle. Reed continued writing in this vein through the glam era, which thrust David Bowie, T. Rex, Roxy Music and the New York Dolls into the limelight – all important influences for punk rock’s emergence as a recognized gene in the mid 1970’s.
Punk Rock
Cale is also responsible for producing punk poet/singer Patti Smith’s Horses. In the mid 1970’s, New York’s club scene was led by CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. Patti Smith, Television, The Ramones, Talking Heads, and the Heartbreakers (led by ex- New York Dolls Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan) were all regularly featured, which led to critical acclaim and record deals for these artists, whose sound and lyrical content was antithical to the disco and AOR that dominated radio. The influence of these NY based punk rock pioneers is often cited by their musical descendants. Television’s music has been cited by hugely successful acts, such as U2 and the Smiths. Patti Smith’s hit single, Because the Night was covered to great success by 10,000 Maniacs. The Donnas’ Alison Robertson frequently name checks Johnny Thunders’ guitar playing in interviews, and The Ramones’ sound has been a cornerstone of Green Day since Billie Jo Armstrong released Dookie.
During that same era across the pond, the U.K. was experiencing massive unemployment and rejection of the established class system from the younger generation. Among the punk clothing trendsetters was a group called the Bromley Contingent, that included Siouxsie Sioux and Billy Idol, who both became successful punk rock bandleaders with Siouxsie and the Banshees and Gen-X, respectively, before going solo. Of course, photos of the era are best remembered for S&M and bondage styled leather clothing with safety pin piercings and Mohawk punk hair. The best remembered U.K. punk rock groups from the 1977 breakout are: The Clash, The Sex Pistols, and The Jam. Their rebellious attitudes, nihilism and left wing political stances were unabashedly packaged for shock value, which often overshadowed the music.
The Clash and The Jam both scored a number of hit singles with commercial success. Paul Weller left the Jam at their height to form the R&B duo The Style Council, and then went on to an extraordinary solo career that has cumulatively logged more U.K. hit records than the Beatles. The Clash managed to make headway in the U.S. with songs like London Calling, Rockin’ the Casbah and Should I Stay Or Should I Go, but Mick Jones and Joe Strummer were not nearly as successful after the Clash called it quits. The most outrageous of the trio were the Sex Pistols. Their Anarchy in the U.K. is still revered by many music critics as the definitive punk rock album. The antics of singer Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious (a bassist in name only whom Rotten hired to replace the less intimidating Glen Matlock) both captivated and revolted the press. The solid musicianship of Steve Jones and Paul Cook were hailed by other musicians, such as session ace Chris Spedding and singer/songwriter Neil Young, but were largely ignored at the time, only to be appreciated after the band’s breakup. Sid Vicious was involved in a bizarre murder and later suicide case that was the subject of a movie. The Sex Pistols still have periodic reunions with original bassist Matlock.
From its harsh beginnings, it is ironic that punk rock has emerged from being the bastard stepchild of rock and roll to a legitimate genre on its own, as exemplified by Green Day’s startling success with 21st Century Breakdown, American Idiot, and a hit Broadway musical.