Certainly, glam rock was an important root for British punk. Ultravox! was a glam band from an apocalyptic alternate universe. But I think you're short-changing pub rock. The Jam's later music (and Paul Weller's) show that influence. The Clash began as The 101'ers ("Key to my Heart"). And bands like the The Motors, Nick Lowe, Brinsley Schwarz (sp?) straddled the line between punk and pub rock.
Had history gone just a tiny bit different, pub rock was likely The Next Big Thing in mid-70s England.
Otherwise, an excellent list and primer. As always.
"a turd in the punchbowl of flower power"--great turn of phrase. love the column to. i never actually knew what proto-punk is, though i apparently own a lot of it!
6 -
Dick Weed
Jun 07, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Would you describe the sound that comes from my pee-hole as proto-punk?
7 -
DJ
Aug 28, 2008 at 3:25 am
That was a terrific list.
Its hard to find good lists of proto punk, i think all the ones you list are proto punk standards.
Don't forget about the Sonics. They have some demo tapes I think that date back to 1961! They were blowing up amps even at that stage in their short career.
Like many loud bands of he early pre-metal and pre-punk in the sixties, their distortion sound came from turning up their amps until the speaker cones crackled. Some of the old Fender amps simply just started distorting once you started turning them up.
Wikepedia has a great list of Protopunk rock bands with a pretty good historical overview of a lot of these bands.
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Article comments
1 - SFC SKI
Another great history lesson.
I never got into the Velvet Underground, but they do have a place in the lineup.
2 - gonzo marx
what?...no Ramones or Motorhead?
ah well..any excuse to listen to Iggy
good list, thanks for the nostalgic read
/golfclap
Excelsior!
3 - mike hollihan
Certainly, glam rock was an important root for British punk. Ultravox! was a glam band from an apocalyptic alternate universe. But I think you're short-changing pub rock. The Jam's later music (and Paul Weller's) show that influence. The Clash began as The 101'ers ("Key to my Heart"). And bands like the The Motors, Nick Lowe, Brinsley Schwarz (sp?) straddled the line between punk and pub rock.
Had history gone just a tiny bit different, pub rock was likely The Next Big Thing in mid-70s England.
Otherwise, an excellent list and primer. As always.
4 - uao
I'm saving glam-rock for its own piece, but very good points, Mike. Thanks!
5 - mpho
"a turd in the punchbowl of flower power"--great turn of phrase. love the column to. i never actually knew what proto-punk is, though i apparently own a lot of it!
6 - Dick Weed
Would you describe the sound that comes from my pee-hole as proto-punk?
7 - DJ
That was a terrific list.
Its hard to find good lists of proto punk, i think all the ones you list are proto punk standards.
8 - thomasM
Don't forget about the Sonics. They have some demo tapes I think that date back to 1961! They were blowing up amps even at that stage in their short career.
Like many loud bands of he early pre-metal and pre-punk in the sixties, their distortion sound came from turning up their amps until the speaker cones crackled. Some of the old Fender amps simply just started distorting once you started turning them up.
Wikepedia has a great list of Protopunk rock bands with a pretty good historical overview of a lot of these bands.