77 The Year of Punk & New Wave

Just finished reading Henrik Poulsen's fine book '77 The Year of Punk & New Wave. It's a pretty good book that spotlights the bands from the UK and Ireland that released singles and albums in 1977 at the height of the Punk movement. By no means are all the bands in the book considered to be punk rock bands or artists (Kursaal Flyers and Graham Parker 7the Rumour do not even fit into the mould of New Wave) and Poulsen says that repeatedly when dealing with such artists.

Many of the bands listed in the book are bands that I had the opportunity to see when I was a kid (I was 14 in 1977) and of course many of the releases mentioned I actually had. It is a great reference tool but more than that it tells a little about the bands that to this day few people have heard of. He also tells a little bit about what happenend after 1977 and it is interesting to see the bands that have survived to this day (Stiff Little Fingers, The Buzzcocks, UK Subs, The Vibrators & a host of others who got back together in time). Some of the bands fizzled out very quickly and after going their seperate ways ended up gaining huge success in other musical styles (Jim Kerr once of Johnny and the Self Abusers hit the big time with Simple Minds. Mick Hucknel was in the band the Frantic Elevators but found fame with Simply Red. Those are just two examples).

I bought the book in Fopp. They were selling it for £10 (usual price £25.00) which is a real bargin. Not sure how limited the hardback edition is but Fopp had loads of them. A great way to spend £10 if you are still thinking of what to get someone for Christmas!

Here's a little bonus. Generation X on the Marc Bolan Show (Bolan embraced a lot of the punk bands. He had the Damned support him on tour) performing their debut single 'Your Generation'.