There is no future in England’s dreaming.
Published in 2011 by JRP Ringier JRP|Ringier Kunstverlag AG Letzigraben 134 8047 ZĂźrich Switzerland T +41 (0)43 311 27 50 F +41 (0)43 311 27 51 Info@jrp-ringier.com www.jrp-ringier.com
All rights reserved. Song lyrics taken from Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, Patti Smith and Buzzcocks. Extra Information taken from: Seven ages of Rock - 3rd age of Rock: The Blank Generation - BBC Panic Attack: Art in the Punk Years by Mark Sladen and Ariella Yedgar Merz to emigre and beyond by Steven Heller
There is no future in England’s dreaming. Lauren Radford
2
People would argue that Punk isn’t dead, but the
is there to do? People protest but no one listens,
aren’t always going to like certain music but I
sad truth is, that Punk is dead. Punk meaning
take the Student protests for example students
think some of the lyrics that came from the 70’s
action not theorizing. We no longer take action
took to the streets of London to protest against
punk bands should be celebrated, not only should
when events bother us; we discuss, shake our
Student Fees raising and what happens? Nothing,
their lyrics be celebrated but their culture, their
heads and move on. I think it’s a shame that there
they up the fees anyway. Some people say that the
Anti - establishment views. Punk wasn’t just about
probably won’t be another subculture like Punk,
Punk subculture was nothing special, it wasn’t any
aggression or offending people it was about telling
now we just accept what goes on around us, so
different than today, but I disagree, we are all so
it straight and standing up and doing something.
much so that when someone tries to actually make
much more understanding and accepting of events
changes we just leave them too it, sit back and
around us, it’s 2012 we have more than we possibly
deal with the consequences when it hits us. We are
need in life and therefore no one stand’s up and
all just fucking Sheep.
says “I’m doing what I want, I’m not listening to you
We have seen it all; Wars, murder, terrorist attacks,
anymore!”
riots, protests, an economic collapse and all the
There are only a select few bands that write
other events that we read in the paper, watch on
songs about politics, and even then they may not
the television every day.
be mainstream so not everyone hears what they
We as a nation are so used to seeing some other
have to say. No one has written a song about the
awful, disgusting event and problem and as a
London Riots in 2011, just like The Clash wrote
society we take a back seat and take it, what else
White Riot about the Black Youth Riots. People
We are all just fucking sheep. 4
6
When there’s no future how can there be sin?
Punk was the subculture with a “Do it yourself”
that were more like outpourings that carried a
(DIY) ethic that went hand in hand with the Anti-
beat about the affairs surrounding London. The
Consumerism ideology, but DIY was not a priori
Clash, however, were more political when it
amateurish.
came to their lyrics, they were sensitive towards,
1975, London and New York, cities close to
and understood, the occurrences and would get
bankruptcy and a new music genre developing,
involved rather than becoming hostile.
Punk bands created expeditious, hard-edged music, typically with epigrammatic songs, thin instrumentation, and often political, antiestablishment lyrics. There are four main contributors to the sound of Punk Rock The Ramones and Patti Smith they are the American contributors, The Sex Pistols and The Clash from the other side of the Atlantic, the UK. The Americans both have different sounds, The Ramones were rash and harsh, and Patti Smith Sex Pistols God Save The Queen Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Here comes the Sex Pistols 1977
however was expressive, unrefined and vigorous. Over in the UK the Sex Pistols were writing songs
8
10
Malcolm Mclaren was the manager of the Sex Pistols, it was whilst spending time in New York that he came across Richard Hell. Hell gave Mclaren the inspiration he needed for the punk fashion. He was one of the first to spike his hair and wear torn, cut and drawn-on shirts, often held together with safety pins. Not only was Richard Hell a great inspiration to Punk Fashion but his song and album “Blank Generation” gave the Punk subculture its name.
Sex Pistols Pretty Vacant Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Here comes the Sex Pistols 1977
Oh don’t pretend ‘cos I don’t care.
I belong to the blank generation.
Richard Hell and The Voidoids Blank Generation Blank Generation 1977
14
In 1976 the Sex Pistols arose in a welter of
mind. The clothes, the hair and even the attitude, of
acrimony, chaos, boisterousness and belligerence
the audience had a direct link to the band… As the
as brash Londoners. They wrote songs about the
Pistols pounded out their “music” the image was in
happenings around them, when they released “God every corner of the club.” Save the Queen” in ’77 Steve Jones said “I don’t
Their song “Pretty Vacant” was their debut single and
see how anyone could describe us as a political
was almost like a manifesto, it wasn’t about talking
band. I don’t even know the name of the Prime
about people it was about getting people involved
Minister.” - The song, and its public impact, is now
and talking to them directly, telling them what to do.
recognized as “punk’s crowning glory”. The Sex Pistols took influence from American bands such as The Ramones, Television and The Stooges but putting their own cockney intonation on the music, their songs were just angry rants, but people listened and related. Mark Perry wrote in Sniffin’ Glue “The Sex Pistols are a force, you get that feeling from their audience and it sticks in your
Sex Pistols Pretty Vacant Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Here comes the Sex Pistols 1977
Pretty Va-cunt.
Hiya boys I’m the chosen one.
Sex Pistols Rock’n’roll Swindle Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Here comes the Sex Pistols 1977
Can’t you fucking see?
18
20
Sex Pistols Anarchy in the UK Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Here comes the Sex Pistols 1977
I use anarchy.
I am an Antichrist! I am an Anarchist! People turned against them when they appeared
it was decided that Sid Vicious born John Ritchie
live on the “Today” programme it was when
later known as John Beverly joined the Sex Pistols.
Grundy said that he would meet one of the Pistols
He could barely play his new instrument but he had
entourage backstage after the show as she had
the right panache and attitude. In 2006 the four
always wanted to meet him, Steve Jones then
original members and Sid Vicious were welcomed
began an exchange with Grundy proceeding
to be part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but
to call him a ‘dirty fucker’ and a ‘fucking rotter’.
they refused to attend calling the museum “a piss
The episode made the band household names
stain”.
throughout the country and brought punk into mainstream awareness. In 1977, word leaked out that Matlock was leaving the Sex Pistols, Mclaren confirmed this to NME. Lydon claimed that the belligerently sardonic song; “God Save The Queen” planned as the band’s second single, had been the final straw: “Matlock couldn’t handle those kinds of lyrics. He said it declared us fascists” Lydon Sex Pistols Anarchy in the UK Never Mind the Buzzcocks: Here comes the Sex Pistols 1977
couldn’t understand how anti-royalism equated with fascism but to get rid of Matlock he didn’t deny it so
24
I wanna be sedated.
The Ramones I wanna be sedated Road to Ruin 1978
26
28
The Ramones were a band from New York, a band that was proud to be uncultivated and primed, full of belligerence with a vociferous, squandering and unambiguous musical style. The band was never a commercial success but they were and are still seen to be one of the most influential bands for Punk music in the US and the UK. In 1976 The Ramones toured the UK; it was at the Roundhouse venue in London where they met the Sex Pistols and The Clash that it seemed their exertion was beginning to pay off. In 2002 The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2011 given the Grammy Lifetime achievement award.
The Ramones Blitzkrieg Bop Ramones 1976
The kid’s are losin’ their minds.
Baby was a black sheep.
Patti Smith Rock ‘n’ Roll Nigger Easter 1978
Baby was a whore.
32
Jesus died for somebodies sins but not mine.
Patti Smith is considered a poet whose vigour and visualisation found voice in the most powerful medium of our culture — music. 1975 released her debut album ‘Horses’ some say one of the most influential albums of all time not only that but it also helped to develop punk rock into the sound that we know today. Patti Smith brought her own signature of angst and poetry to her lyrics and with her voice and outlandish harmonious sounds created a somewhat unique sound that was complicated and subtle. The energy seems to flow from every song, and the angst, fear and resentment of society simply dripped from each song as Patti Smith added her vibrant commentary to the punk scene. As one of the early pioneers of New York City’s dynamic
Patti Smith Gloria Horses 1975
punk scene, Smith has been creating her unique blend of poetic rock and roll for over 35 years.
34
People say “beware!”
Patti Smith Gloria Horses 1975
But I don’t care the words are just rules and regulations to me.
36
38
An’ everybody’s doing just what they’re told to.
The Clash White Riot The Clash 1977
40
Black people gotta lot a problems,
But they don’t mind throwing a brick.
The Clash White Riot The Clash 1977
White people go to school,
Where they teach you how to be thick.
42
The Clash’s politicized lyrics, musical experimentation and rebellious attitude had a far-reaching influence on punk rock. They were different from the Sex Pistols, incorporated different sounds to their first album ‘The Clash’; they integrated reggae, ska, dance and funk. This took the band away from the aggressive sound that the Sex Pistols had.
The Clash Hate and War The Clash 1977
The hate of a nation, a million miles from home.
44
I hate all the English.
The Clash Hate and War The Clash 1977
Hate and war.
I hate all the Cops.
46
48
Their lyrics also took the band away from the
the music industry’s usual profit motivations;
Sex Pistols ideas as they were also bringing
even at their peak, tickets to shows and
politics into their music, the band’s music was
souvenirs were reasonably priced. When the
often charged by a leftist political ideology.
Sex Pistols broke up The Clash went up the
Joe Strummer, in particular, was a committed
scale and became one of the most important
leftist. The Clash are credited with pioneering
punk bands in the world. They became referred
the advocacy of radical politics in punk rock,
to as “The Only Band That Matters” and in
and were dubbed the “Thinking Man’s Yobs” by
2003 The Clash were initiated into the Rock
NME. Their politics were made explicit in the
and Roll Hall of Fame.
lyrics of such early recordings as “White Riot”, which encouraged disaffected white youths to riot like their black counterparts; “Career Opportunities” which addressed the alienation of low-paid, routinized jobs and discontent over the lack of alternatives; and “London’s Burning”, about the bleakness and boredom of life in the inner city. The band’s political sentiments were reflected in their resistance to
50
I get violent when i’m fucked up. The Clash Cheat The Clash 1977
52
Punk Zines were the personification of the “Anybody can do it! You don’t need them!” Attitude in visual form. Punk graphics are what established the punk aesthetic, torn paper edges, misspelled type were the visual equivalent of a loud, out of tune slashing power cord or stained clothes from the charity shop. Punk zine’s were established for communication; they incorporated news, scandal, interviews and cultural criticism. The ‘DIY’ attitude was encouraged especially when it came to making the zine’s as they were easy to make and to reproduce. The content of a Zine was illustrated with newspaper clippings and a marker pen, to reproduce they were photocopied, this meant that they were mainly black and white.
Buzzcocks Boredom Spiral Scratch (EP) 1977
My future ain’t what it was.
54
The first Punk Zine was made in America in
Roundhouse.
1976 by John Holmstrom, Ged Dunn, and Legs
“Sniffin’ Glue” was haphazardly laid out, it looked
McNeil; this assisted to get bands known and
unprofessional. NME commended “Sniffin’ Glue”
also to categorise them, It was in ‘Punk’ that The
as “the nastiest, healthiest and funniest piece
Ramones were first associated with being a punk
of press in the history of rock’n’roll habits” and it
band. Holmstrom has said that “Without ‘Punk’
really became the true chronicle of the early days
there probably would have been no ‘punk rock’
of British punk rock as well as pioneering the DIY
and no punk movement.” Legs McNeil claims
ethic. Fearing absorption into the mainstream
that he called himself a punk before the whole
music press, Perry ceased publication in 1977. In
movement started and it was through the magazine
the last issues he encouraged his readers to follow
that he mapped out his lifestyle; dress and values
him with their own punk fanzines.
defined punk. The zine “Punk” had a comic book
In 2000, Mark Perry published Sniffin’ Glue: The
layout and style, every article rendered by hand.
Essential Punk Accessory, which is a compilation
Over in the UK Mark Perry was taking inspiration
of all the issues of the fanzine with some new
from ‘Punk’ and created ‘Sniffin’ Glue’ in 1976
material written by him.
after seeing The Ramones play at London’s
56
58
Buzzcocks Orgasm Addict Time’s Up 1976
It’s a labour of love, fucking yourself to death.
Jamie Reid is a British artist and anarchist.
letters and words have been taken from newspaper
His work, featuring letters cut from newspaper
clippings. The design suggests that the band
headlines in the style of a ransom note, came close
are holding up for ransom the values exemplified
to defining the image of punk rock, particularly
by the Queen, just as “we” her subjects were
in the UK. His best known works include the Sex
being held to ransom by being compelled into a
Pistols album Never Mind the Bollocks: Here
celebration of her reign.
comes the Sex Pistols and the singles “Anarchy in
Reid’s flyers and posters did not serve their
the UK”, “God Save The Queen”.
purpose of promotion but in fact provided a graphic
Jamie Reid created the ransom-note look used
parallel to the songs and, alongside the music
with the Sex Pistols graphics while he was
and lyrics, complicate the identity that was being
designing Suburban Press, a radical political
constructed to surround the band.
magazine he ran for five years. For the single release of “God save the Queen” have Beaton’s celebratory image of the Queen, except in Reid’s design she is blindfolded by the song title, and gagged by the band name which the
62
www.jrp-ringier.com