The Dead Kennedys. They're the most 'punk' punk band of all time. They represent the highest standard in which all other punk bands should be judged. As a band, as a force, they were political, righteous, and always willing to fight for their beliefs. What a lot of people didn't get (and still don't) is… Continue reading Frankenchrist by Dead Kennedys
Years before Prodigy released their seminal Fat Of The Land, there was Atari Teenage Riot making a racket with their acerbic digital punk. The Future of War, their second album, was the logical conclusion of the futuristic fusion of aggressive guitar riffs and skull-caving beats. Atari Teenage Riot's original incarnation - Alec Empire, Hanin Elias,… Continue reading The Future Of War by Atari Teenage Riot
Some records are defiantly underground. Others are absolutely mainstream. Then there's Goo by Sonic Youth. Though released on a major label (Geffen), it looks and sounds like the work of artists hellbent on confusing the listener. Sonic Youth always had the reputation of confounding expectations; they were serious about what they did but had a… Continue reading Goo by Sonic Youth
The Cramps should be easily dismissed due to their camp aesthetic, but then that would be dismissive of their punk ferocity, the skill and talent of their combined musicianship. Poison Ivy, still the baddest bitch on the block, also seems to me like one of the most underrated guitarists in the game. Guitarist? Also the… Continue reading Stay Sick by The Cramps
A problem I always felt people had with The Donnas was an all-pervading idea that they were somehow novelty, less serious than proper guitar bands. For me, they were a dream come true. They looked like brats. They made a racket. They wrote songs about drinking, partying, dating, and...Doin' Donuts. Less serious than 'proper' guitar… Continue reading Get Skintight by The Donnas
Your first gig is a rite of passage you never forget. For me, it was Babes In Toyland at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. Except it wasn't, because this itineration was actually Kat Bjelland without her Nemesisters. But this was as close as I could get to one of my new favourite bands. Yes, I… Continue reading Living in the time of Angelica
I have a theory that your first Beck album is always your favourite. He’s a sonic shapeshifter whose music is always different, but always essentially ‘Beck’. To put it another way, his albums are different suits on the same body. Yet despite my theory about your first Beck album being the one you enjoy the… Continue reading Midnite Vultures by Beck
