Music Banter - Proto-punk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu (Post 303471)

i know the first band actually labelled "punk" was ? & the Mysterians. the seeds, the standelles and the kingsmen are all regarded as influences aswell. the kinks were also early visionaries with davies treatment of an amp and subsequent, distorted, edgy sound you hear on the likes of "you really got me" and "all day and all of the night".

? and the Mysterians were a damn good band. "96 Tears" (notable but not-so-great cover: The Stranglers) was always a very influential hit, but the B-Side to their follow-up "I Need Somebody" single "Eighteen" (The Alice cooper song of the same name was not a cover) was even better to my ears. The first album is good, although I have not heard their 2'nd (Action, 1967), although "Can't Get Enough of You, Baby" is a single I'm familiar with (I'm sure that it was this version that sparked The Colourfield's alright version, which in turn sparked Smashmouth's irritating mega-hit version).

The Seeds - Live At Merlin's Music Box is a very underlooked album for it has the classic non-hit "Satisfy You" (check it out!) while the first two albums were very good. I'd be careful approaching Future, their attempt to blend in with the Flower Power thing, although "Two Fingers Pointing At You" (Featured in the film Psych-Out) and "Where Is the Entrance Way to Play" are common fan favorites.

Standells - "Try It' - An Ultimate G-Punk anthem! OK, "Dirty Water," too. Oddly enough, the band was led by a one-time member of the Mickey Mouse Club (Their Drummer/singer) and Produced by a member of The Four Preps (Ed Cobb) for their best recordings (They had some very tame recordings before "Dirty Water"). The Try It album is a mixed mix of killer tunes and Ed Cobb trying to get the singer into some kind of Supper Club Soul ("Can't Help But Love You" being a Late '67 single), but the appearance of "All Fall Down" and "Poor Shell of a Man," both pretty interesting original by Organist Larry Tamblyn (Who's Actor brother Russ would appear in Satan's Sadists and Free Grass by '69) really puts the album into must-have status. I'm also a sucker for the cheesy and cool Cult Soundtrack ready "Animal Girl" single, which was their final single unleashed in Early '68.

The Kinks - Their early recordings are a classic formation of Punk Influence, and even the more melodic '66 songs like "A Well Respected Man" and "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" are textbooks in social commentary in their own right. Their Post '67 work up to and including Village Green Preservation Society ('68) and Arthur ('69) are complete 180 Degree turns from the angry sound, but they also have quite an influence that one can hear in The Jam (sharp and witty social commentary in an era of hippie Over-Indulgence.).

The Kingsmen were a little too Frat Party Band for me, but they do have their place in Punk Influences for at least their cover of "Louie Louie."

Also...

The Music Machine ("Talk Talk," "The People in Me," all in black for most of their time, tough and angry music that's also brooding and intelligent. From '66-'68 they were great)

The Rationals (Detroit legend! "Respect," "Leaving Here," "Guitar Army")

Chocolate Watchband (Ed Cobb's other famed G-Punk production assignment when he was also recording The Standells: "Sweet Young Thing," their killer cover of "It's All Over Now Baby Blue," "No Way Out," "Are You Gonna Be There At the Love-In," "Don't Need Your Loving"...I could go on and on!). their third album was too laid-back, but their first two albums are always worth mentioning.

The Sonics - Their first two albums (be aware, their '67 album released on Jerdan is tamed) are excellent. "Psycho," "The Witch," and "Strychnine" should be heard.