Sex Pistols

Live In the UK 1976

(Cult Legends / The Media Champ)

It's appropriate that they rendered only a single 1970s studio album. It exemplified the volatile moment, one that blew all to hell conventions both musical and social. 

Whereas the Ramones had Sergeant Johnny to enforce performance discipline - and those outsider CBGBs moptops buzzsawed into deserved eternal imprint - the Pistols raged for but a twinkling. (At least, in their virginal phase.) 

But their sometimes-shambolic cacophony suited the days at-hand (a vulgar trait they shared with Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers). Their rip-and-stitch dash echoes in successive bands' works.

Of course, the brash spirit that typified the seventies Punk ethos had precedent; identical nervy countenance had been characteristic of Elvis and Mick - rebellious upstarts in their own green seasons. 

1976 called for stagnant, self-indulgent Rock'n'Roll to suffer a swift boot-kick. 2025, too, seems such an occasion.

Recommended: "Anarchy In the UK," "Wanna Be Me," "Don't Give Me No Lip, Child," "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone," "Liar," "Substitute," "No Feelings," "No Fun," "Problems"

Videos: "Anarchy In the UK" (live, 1976)   "Wanna Be Me" (live, 1976)

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Mick Wigfall

Solid Smoke 96

(Gypsy Rose)

Much admiration is due vintage-styled boppers like Mick who dig that grooving in the manner of Rockabilly's progenitors necessitates throwing one's arms about the Country inclinations that are so integral to its constitution. And such is the lofty degree of craftsmanship unspooled by players he's conscripted that each step ain't nothin' but right.

Recommended: "Mushy Peas," "I'm Out," "Cabbage Head," "Lonely Weekends," "Casting My Spell On You," "Long-Legged Girl," "Western Union," "Night Train"

Video: "Cabbage Head"

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45Worlds

Shamcocks

s/t   3-song EP

(Diablo Records)

Eriu a-romp.The tentpole betwixt sprightly antediluvian airs is the Doyley-scribed "Craic..." Each track hyperventilates its wildside recklessness, throwing forth old-sod peculiarities clad in flabbergastingly arresting raiment. Mind you don't splash your ale whilst cavorting.

Recommended: "Wild Rover," "Craic At the Irish Rover," "Tell Me Ma"

Video: "Tell Me Ma"

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Tristan Thorndyke's Rock'n'Roll Cannibals

Carne Pleasures

(Self-issued)

Flung from this tough-streets compendium is madly dashing Rock'n'Roll for which unadorned guitar is a blade-swinging ringleader. Every man involved flexes muscle. The absence of studio artificiality allows for Tristan's vocal acrobatics to fly unhindered. 

Recommended: "I Wanna Scream," "Distract Me," "The Hoodoo Hop," "Cadaver Dog," "1, 2,3,4," "Liquid Hate," "Shot in the Boys Room," "Space Lazer," "Terminate," "Live a Little Bit"

Video: "I Wanna Scream"

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Ramones

Brain Drain

(Sire / Rhino)

Rhino reissued Brain Drain last November. The Ramones are one of Rock'n'Roll's basic food groups; no disputing of that truth will be brooked, here. True, Johnny (in his 2012 book, Commando), rated the 1989 record a C, and noted it was "One of my least favorite albums..." But the mix of Dee Dee's combustible essays and Joey's affecting ones meant the group's characteristic melange of guitar-broadsides and Pop romanticism shone, notwithstanding perfectionism. (The riff in "Ignorance Is Bliss" - one of two tracks co-written by Dictator Andy Shernoff - reminds of Blue Öyster Cult, not a negative factor.) While countless imitators followed - some, quite worthwhile - none surpassed the prototype. And none ever will.

Recommended: "I Believe In Miracles," "Zero Zero UFO," "Don't Bust My Chops," "All Screwed Up," "Palisades Park," "Pet Semetary," "Ignorance Is Bliss," "Come Back Baby," "Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)"

Videos: "Pet Semetary"   "I Believe In Miracles"

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X

Smoke and Fiction

(Fat Possum Records)

Proof that in music, the aging process is not a necessary factor. In fact, the only thing that tempers the spirit of '77 is experience wise enough to avoid indulgence. Voices sweep and swoop, slap-crack beats are irresistable, Billy's guitar blasts and side-swipes, and all is good for 28:40. This is said to be X's final disc. That would be so wrong.

Recommended: "Ruby Church," "Sweet Til the Bitter End," "The Way It Is," "Flipside," "Big Black X," "Smoke and Fiction," "Struggle," "Winding Up the Time," "Face In the Moon," "Baby and All"

Video: "Ruby Church"

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Guitar Slingers

I Feel Psycho

(Self-issued)

Performances this thunderclap-loud and decisive call for unthrottled production; fortunately, such reported for duty. Doyley thrashes strings into lunatic ecstacy and yowls exultantly, confederates in blast-blooded amalgamation. Beloved chestnuts are revivified and charged with crisp abandon.

Recommended: "Boppin' and Shakin'," "Red Hot Rockin' Blues," "CC Rider," "Cut Across Shorty," "Little Sister," "Marie, Marie," "Bopalena"

Videos: "Boppin' and Shakin'"   "Bopalena" (live, 2016)

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