Punk Rock Videos #1

Right to Work - Chelsea


James Stevenson was of course part of Chelsea but prior to his joining Chelsea William Broad (AKA Billy Idol) and Tony James were in the band and after sacking Gene October they changed the name of the band to Generation X. 'Right to Work' was a great piece of social commentary and it showed that Punk had something to say. I mean you could never have imagined any band on TOTP's in those days making such an overt political statement (remember the Labour Government was in tatters and Britain was about to get a leader who ruled with an iron fist!).


Defient Pose - Cortinas


Punk had been central in London but once the Buzzcocks had released 'Spiral Scratch EP' and folks had taken the opportunity of seeing the likes of The Pistols, The Clash, The Damned and even The Ramones the new music began spreading it's wings. The Cortinas were from Bristol and this is their finest moment

Sham 69 - I Don't Wanna EP
A lot of folks hated what Sham 69 became but here is their debut EP which was fantastic. Their debut album 'Tell Us The Truth' still gets played in my house. One of the worst things about Sham 69 was the fact that Skinheads started turning up at their shows and began fighting with the Punks. It was always a dangerous thing to go and watch a Sham show. If you managed to get through a show without getting at least hit once by some thug Skin it was a result but it made going to their gigs a thing of fear rather than enjoyment.

I Don't Wanna


Ulster & Red London


Models
Freeze


I actually love the b-side of this one better ('Man of the Year'). This was their only single before they split. Marco Pirroni who had played with The Banshees at the Punk Festival at the 100 Club and later found greater fame alongside Adam Ant was a member of The Models. Their only other output was a fantastic John Peel Session on 13th July 1977 that included both sides of the single and 'Brainwash' and 'Censorship.


The Killjoys - johnny won't get to heaven



The Killjoys are reverently remembered in Punk circles for this outstanding single on RAW Records. Those who remember them will also tell you that the lead vocalist of this band actually went on to have a number one record! Who is he? Kevin Rowlands who went on to form Dexy's Midnight Runners. It's a shame that they never released anything else because they had some great songs (8 of which were captured on two John Peel Sessions from 1977 & early 1978)


The Flys - Love & Moloatov Cocktail



The Flys signed to Harvest EMI and this is their standout track. Years later it would be resurrected by Die Toten Hosen to be included on their 'Learning English, Lesson One' album.

Patrick Fitzgerald - Safety Pin Stuck in My Heart



Patrick was a bit of an enigma in Punk circles because he played acoustic guitar, had no band and he could actually write some decent songs (Paranoid Ward, Back Street Boys, & the Bingo Crowd to name a few). I saw him a few times, the first being as support to Sham 69 at the Harlsden Roxy where he finished his set with only one string on his guitar as he played scared all night and the Skins were baying for his bllod. Also saw him on a Small Wonder night at the Music Machine alongside The Wall and Crass!

Metal Urbain - Hysterie Connective