Punk, in it's 1976- 1980 form, was expressing some very universal attitudes through the lyrics, the sound and the presentation- boredom, dissatisfaction, rejection of authority, two fingers to the world. But the different scenes and places it took hold seem very local. Sex Pistols and their entourage were London. Buzzcocks could only be Manchester. The CBGB punks could only have come from a particular part of New York (wherever they all migrated from originally). The world was less globalised and less connected. Word of mouth spread more slowly. Local scenes had their own character based on the views and outlook of the participants. The punk scene as it developed in California and specifically in Los Angeles looks so much the product of late 70s LA that the bands could only have been spawned by that city at that time. According to those who were there and accounts of it, the new LA punk scene was suburban and from the sprawl, negative, against everything, especially the 'older' bands from the Hollywood part of town, who were more glam, more fashion conscious. These southern Californian suburban punk bands became faster, narrower, more hardcore. The animosity between the two punk camps and then the violent actions of the LAPD made California punk a genuinely dangerous scene to be a part of.
X formed in 1977, founded by singer- bassist John Doe and guitarist Billy Zoom. Doe's girlfriend Exene Cervenka joined on vocals and drummer D.J. Bonebrake arrived (who also played with Germs). X would go on to outlive the early LA punk scene and make records through the 1980s with re- unions in the 90s and 2000s. X could play loud and fast and their debut and it's follow up are full of loud, fast, short songs. What sets them apart from the hardcore bands is the country and rockabilly tinges to their music- you can feel it in Bonebrake's motorised drumming, Zoom's guitars and Doe's voice. Exene added urgency and a wail, her poetry and lyrics stand out, and the off kilter twin vocals give them another layer. The presence of producer Ray Manzarek and his Doors organ sound on their albums adds an unexpected swampy murk to their electric LA punk. Mostly though they just sound alive.
Two songs, one from 1980's Los Angeles album...
The World's A Mess, It's In My Kiss
And one from 1981's Wild Gift...
When Our Love Passed Out On The Couch
Interesting tracks, thanks for posting. I always get the impression that, apart maybe from The Ramones, USA punk bands were always a fair bit more technically proficient than some of ours. I don't necessarily think that's a good or bad thing, just an observation. I do wonder if that had an influence on their longevity though. Some of the two or three chord merchants we had over here didn't last that long. Even The Pistols and certainly The Clash had more musical nous than they are often given credit for, hence their longer lasting musical legacy maybe?
ReplyDeleteYep, it's a good point Nick. Maybe the UK punk scene put a higher premium on the DIY, anyone can do it, here's 3 chords now form a band aspects of punk. A lot of the US punk bands seem to have roots in other pre- punk bands compared to the UK punks some of whom came straight in at punk.
ReplyDeleteI have been listening to a lot of X in recent days due in part to their new album being a real keeper. Seriously. Original lineup to boot. They will always be revered for the first two albums (being on Slash at the time adds to the band's legendary status), but I thought they had a few great songs while on Elektra too, especially The New World. Ain't Love Grand is the only album I would term a disaster.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard the new one yet Brian, will put it on my list of 'to be listened to' albums on your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteX's debut Los Angeles, is for me, one of the great debut albums. It has the adolescent restlessness, the disgust, dissatisfaction and sneer that growing up in the late 70s in the USA engendered and it still holds the power and promise of all the great Punk debuts. It is dark and psychedelic and wears those influences on its sleeve with appropriate bravado.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this band before but don't think I've actually heard anything by them before. I like both those tracks, particularly the first one. Thanks.
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