2CD – UK Import

There have been many punk collections over the years, and formerZigZagfanzine editorKris Needspossesses most of them; so, when it came to compiling his own, he decided to avoid the predictable, except where totally warranted. Although featuring names without whom such a compilation should never be, the set also highlights less-likely candidates through their influence, attitude or sheer courage in the face of adversity. After starting with two quintessential garage-punk bands,The StandellsandThe Seeds, the album approaches the punk spirit as a way of making music or conveying a message by any means necessary, which makes Harlem’sLast Poetsprime candidates for laying a hip-hop template in 1970 with their first album. Around the same time, downtown in Washington Square Park,David Peel & The Lower East Sidewere delivering stoner street anthems which could only be captured by a live recording. Kris’ lifelong New York obsession continues with the untouchableNew York Dolls, senses-shattering electronic punksSuicide, plus two of their influences inSilver Applesand vocal groupThe Silhouettes.The Dictatorsshow how their degenerate raunch influencedThe Ramones.The Deviantswere at the forefront of the UK’s 1967 countercultural revolution, like the UK’s answer to America’sFugs,MC5orMothers Of Inventionwhen it came to forging a new society and playing free concerts, before handing the baton toPink Fairies. 1970s UK proto-punk is represented byJook,Third World WarandThe Sensational Alex Harvey Band‘s sinister, cinematic missives, while the rarest tune (on CD for the first time) is theHollywood Brats‘ storming treatment ofThe Kinks‘ “I Need You.” The oldest track has to be “Blue Jean Bop” byGene Vincent, the original black leather man. Other artists include:Mott The Hoople,Dr. Feelgood,Peter Hammill,Can,T. Rex,The Stooges,The Up,Death,Sun Ra,Red Krayola,Rocket From The Tombs,The Saints,Flamin’ Groovies,Zolar X,The Monks, andCulture. The set is accompanied by extensive liner notes from Needs in a 76-page book.Track Listing: