Tag Archive for london

The Vibrators – 25 Years of Pure Mania (For fans of The Clash, The Buzzcocks, Sex Pistols)

/ December 13, 2012 / No comments

Sometimes when I’m driving people somewhere, if I’m in the mood to be nice… I have to remember that not everyone sees the beauty of powerviolence or overly pissed hardcore.  This is when I have to find something more accessible, but something that I want to listen to.  I’m not gonna lie, I usually go with 70s punk rock… and lately I’ve been always wanting to listen to The Vibrators greatest hits album 25 Years Of Pure Mania.


Even though The Vibrators were one of the earliest punk bands originally forming in 1976, most people have no idea who they are.  And that’s a damn shame, because these London boys have some of the catchiest punk rock anthems around. 25 Years Of Pure Mania is a 2 CD release containing all of their most popular hits from almost their entire discography (which is fucking huge by the way) and is a great place for anyone looking to get into the band.

If you dig bands like The Buzzcocks or early Clash, then you need to check out The Vibrators.  They’ve been getting more plays by me than any other band as of late.

MP3:
The Vibrators – Judy Says

More 70s Punk Rock That You Need To Check Out, Or Else:
The Ramones – Mondo Bizarro
The Ramones – Self Titled
The Misfits – Walk Among Us
The Misfits – Static Age
Cock Sparrer – Shock Troops
The Buzzcocks – Singles Go Steady
The Clash – London Calling

Buy:
The Vibrators

Category: music, punk / Tags: , , , , ,

Cock Sparrer – Shock Troops (For fans of The Clash, Buzzcocks, Sex Pistols)

/ August 22, 2012 / No comments


Quick, when you think of early punk rock, what are the first 3 bands that come to your mind?  If you’re like most people, The Ramones, The Clash, and The Sex Pistols all came to mind immediately… and rightfully so as they all are great fucking bands.  Unfortunately, sort of like the Buzzcocks, one of the greatest punk bands often gets left out.  England’s Cock Sparrer is easily one of the most influential and underrated bands of their time, and I have been listening to Shock Troops non-stop ever since I saw them a few months back.

While probably most famous for their song “We’re Coming Back”, which have been covered by The Bouncing Souls on their split with Anti-Flag, there are so many good hits on Shock Troops.  From the infectious hooks of “Riot Squad to the anthematic shot at the music industry “Take Em All”, Cock Sparrer knew how to right a damn catchy punk tune.

Shock Troops is the perfect blend of old school punk and good ole fashioned Oi, and is an essential if you’re a punk fan at all.

MP3:
Cock Sparrer – Take Em All

More:
Cock Sparrer Live In Philly
The Buzzcocks – Singles Go Steady
The Clash – London Calling
Anti-Pasti

Buy:
Cock Sparrer

Category: music, punk / Tags: , , , ,

The Clash – London Calling (For Fans of The Ramones, The Buzzcocks, Cock Sparrer)

/ June 18, 2012 / One comment

If you were to mention The Clash to anyone, the iconic album cover of London Calling, with Simonon smashing his guitar into the stage is the first thing to come into mind for most.  Even though the cover was originally a tribute to Elvis Presley, it has definitely passed it in terms of recognizability.

London Calling is actually the third studio album released by The Clash, and if you are a fan of punk at all, you ought to have this album.  The songs range in style a bit more than the punk influenced previous released Self Titled and Give Em Enough Rope, with them exploring rockabilly on “Brand New Cadillac” (a cover of Vince Taylor’s song), lounge style “Jimmy Jazz”, and plenty of ska/reggae to go around with songs like “Rudie Can’t Fail” and “Revolution Rock”.

The Clash remain political throughout the album, praising the fight against fascism in Spain in “Spanish Bombs”, attacking the advertising world in “Koka Kola”, and struggling with commercialism in “Lost In The Supermarket”.

Every punk band around these days were somehow influenced (directly or indirectly) by The Clash at some point.  While London Calling is more mellow than other punk of the late 70s, it’s still an album that needs to be in everyone’s collection.

Mp3:
The Clash – Spanish Bombs

Housewives Calling:
Cock Sparrer Live In Philly
The Buzzcocks – Singles Go Steady
Sham 69
Anti-Pasti

Buy:
Amazon – The Clash London Calling

Category: music, punk / Tags: , , , , ,