I like a lot of different kinds of music and punk has always been one of my favorites—it makes me feel empowered, odd, sexy, and on top of the rotten world. I’m leaving the obvious stuff out of this post—Ramones, the Stooges, Misfits, etc. and worn-out Sex Pistols. Punk has morphed into so many different off-shoots that I can’t cover them all, anyway. So I thought I’d take a moment to briefly introduce you to what’s kinda-punk-rockin’ in my world lately.
Big D and the Kids Table
Originally from Boston (my hometown), Big D dates back to 1995 and is classified as “ska punk”. This song totally rocks and is from their latest album (“Fluent in Stroll”)released in July this year. This song, “Doped Up Dollies on a One Way Ticket to Blood” really makes no sense, but has an awesome beat. It also reminds me of those days when I used to wear a dog collar for a necklace and didn’t care if I had no boyfriend. “Digging on the feeling of feelin’ sublime…” This one’s for you, Sharon!
Boom goes the dynamite, indeed!
The Dead Milkmen
From another one of my favorite cities, this Philly band was formed way back in 1983. "Bitchin' Camaro" was their big hit in 1985, but I dearly love “Punk Rock Girl” and it’s what inspired this post. This beat is fun, and it makes me want to wear a short plaid skirt with combat boots again, and maybe fashion my hair into a purple mohawk. Also, I hear they’re planning a comeback...
At 1:44, I love that all the guys are wearing the same shirt…
The Dollyrots
Here’s a Pop-Punk band that’s only been around for about 5 years, with a sexy singer (Kelly Ogden)who has a melodic voice AND plays bass. Bass players are sooo wicked. It was actually Melanie Safka who wrote “Brand New Key” (aka The Rollerskate Song)and her original was featured on the “Boogie Nights” soundtrack. Sorry everyone, Janis covered it, just like Kelly here. Have a listen—I think it totally rocks! I love how this “kicks in.” Wait for it…wait for it…
That’s totally what I look like when I play Rock Band...in my mind, at least.
Dance Hall Crashers
From Berkeley, CA, DHC were one of the first ska punk bands I had ever heard. Ska seems to attract some vocally-gifted females and Karina Denike & Elyse Rogers are no exception. They also do a kick-ass cover of Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” Takes a lot of talent to make a break-up seem so cheery (and a good horn section doesn’t hurt), like in this song, “Won’t Be the Same”:
That cat…he has his father’s eyes…
The Sex Pistols
Ah, Sid Vicious. Yes, yes…The Sex Pistols are the epitome of puck rock and need no introduction. “Something Else” has that funky bass that draws me in and makes me want more. I am hoping that some of you know this song, as most people look at me and say “huh?” when I mention it. I’ve always looked past the junkie exterior and found Sid HAWT, HAWT, HAWT, and almost wet my pants when I uncovered this treasure from YouTube:
Shaking his junk at me…weirdo. ;-)
So there you have it—just some good-time tunes I like to get me going. Thanks for letting me share!
Disclaimer: If you take offense at Sid’s undergarments, just know that I did not pick them out.
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Comments
This was the best one, it made me dance at work. Who cares what it means!! ;)
Now, I'm going to take some skinheads bowling after we go rollerskatin'!!!
:)
Great list! And thanks for posting stuff I'm not too familiar with! :-)
I'm with Tink...made me get up and dance.
And what's a pair of roller skates without a key?
Thank you, sweetie!
Tink: Yeah! Nice Camper Van Beethoven reference. ;-)
Frank: Sounds familiar...I'll check 'em out.
devilgrrl: Awesome--mission accomplished!
Torman: Okay, but I think you might like the ska punk...DHC is rather tame. I'm just saying. Thanks for your support!
Great music, spotted!
R~
Chicago Guy: Cool—and thanks for recognizing that “Punk” isn’t always loud & abrasive. :-)
Scanner: You rock! And you know, plaid skirts on men are called KILTS. ;-)
they play punk rock girl on my fav radio station all the time! LOVE!
the dollyrots sound fun, but i think the reason why i couldnt get into it right now is i only have one head phone in so I cant really hear the girl singing.. all i heard was the instruments.. drummers kinda cute though.
I love ska stuff.. and Im glad I got to hear someone new. All the ska i have is old no doubt, reel big fish, save ferris and letters to cleo..
I dated the singer in a punk band for a while. He was one of the sweetest people I've known.
Barbra anne!: Thanks for coming over! How cool--we have something in common--I thought about adding Save Ferris, but the post got really long... :-)
Owl: I know, right? LOL...
I'm old, so I remember it all. Yes, Trig used to wear tight black leathers and "slam dance" at punk rock venues. I remember a band from England called the Angelic Upstarts. The dance floor was a blood bath that night I can tell you, but in a fun way. Ahhh, the memories!!
Fun post!
"Make it as someone you wanna be me ruin me
A typewriter god a black and white king
PVC blackboard books black and white
I wanna be me...! ~R~
It's so cool how these nerdy (Milkmen) and pretty (Ogden) people fool you -- blasting out these songs is the last thing you'd expect.
thanks for the enlightenment Spotted.
What a piece of work! I loved the Sex Pistols, but Sid was just an awful musician... which is part of why Johny Rotten liked him I think.
But, did you really, truly, honestly do an entire post about punk, without mentioning "THE ONLY BAND THAT MATTERS",
The Clash (????)
MINUS 1,000 points for that glaring omission to the music scene, and another 500 point omission for not mentioning The Clash's sacred spawn, Rancid! :-D
I remember when Melanie sang "Brand New Key." And I have a pal who now sings the blues, but he has a punker heart. Check out "They Call Me Mr. Misfit" (One Man Riot). Thanks for the quick education on punk—music is something I always want.
I just found it amusing that you said you were leaving out The Pistols (who may be the freaking MOST over rated band in history, btw), then ended on The Pistols and Sid, without a mention of Mick and Joe.
But, have no fear, and no worries, I rectified the situation on my blog in an "immitation is the sincerest form of flattery" type post response :-D
Trig: Wow—2 visits?!?!? You’re in LOVE w/ Kelly, huh? I would kill to see you in leather pants…soooo hot. I love the punk scene, even now. Not what it used to be, but still very cool. And yes, Sid was “awful” but he remains the cornerstone. Xoxoxo
Chuck: Boston, yeah? I had no idea! Gang Green—oh yes…Love the quote you left.
LIG: ;-)
Skeltnwmn: Cool—glad you dig it. Yep, can’t always tell a book by its cover…
Rutilus: Word.
JK: Ahhhh….indeed. I omitted the moans & groans that apparently you, surly and I, share over Sid. I think your mistake with the banks was that you didn’t step it up with a dozen more piercings and the aforementioned purple mohawk.
Harriet: Right on—thanks for the suggestion. I think a lot of people have a HUGE misconception about punk—it can be “fun.” Thanks for being here!
Caroline: You and I are SOOO gonna hang out some day. :-)
Pstudman: Right on! I'll check it out! :-)
"worn-out Sex Pistols"...
And they ARE "punk"--just not the "angry, fuck the establishment" movement you & I grew up with. ;-)
Loved the Doped Up Dollies and Brand New Key!
Have a great evening...you going to get some magenta highlights?
JUST KIDDING! :-)
Caroline: It's on... :-)
Psb: STFU. Punk can no longer be confined or DEfined--as it was meant to (not) be. :-)
femme: Love you too, sweet friend--are you sure DHC don't do it for ya? ;-)
Rated for punk fun!
Rated for bringing back some cool memories.
"You'll Dance To Anything" - absolutely my favorite Dead Milkmen song.
I'll bet you hung out with the MassArt crowd in your punk days - do you ever go to Bisbee?
littlewillie: Sublime is one of my favs also. And I already mentioned how I feel about bass players... ;-)
Rod: Thanks for your support. :-)
aim: I lost my Masshole status years ago, but I've heard I can re-apply. Don't recall "Bisbee"--how about Bill's Bar? And actually all my friends were in "Heavy Metal" bands--so Kenmore Square area was more our scene. I even liked rap & hip-hop so it's hard to just call them "punk days". ;-)
I didn't go to many shows in Boston - I'm from the other side of the state. The Ratt was sort of the mecca...I hung out there a few times. Outside, because I was a teenager with no fake i.d.
You can certainly reapply, but I like to think "Once a Masshole, always a Masshole."
Rich Banks!: Hey, thanks for coming over--DHC have been through a lot of changes, but they remain a Ska fav.
O'Really: Ha! Wonder how that song would sound if it were rewritten to reflect the times...
Nana: "Love that dirty water..." Yeah, the Boston Rock scene was great, and the music wasn't bad, either. ;-) I thought you might like some of this stuff! Thanks for tolerating the "enticing junk"--I couldn't stop myself.
I found punk after it had pretty much become mainstream. I first listened to Christian ska punk. (I still heart Five Iron Frenzy!) Then I discovered the film SLC Punk!!! What a kick ass movie. It rocks.
My hubby, a real punk/rockstar, has introduced me to classic punk and I love it. Sometimes you just gotta scream!
Red Star: "...I ran over my neighbor!" ;-)
Leonde: Philly rocks! (In another lifetime for me, as well). :-)
Welcome! Thanks for the tip--I'm listening to the Demics right now--very cool.
Youtube is just the best