Since at that time we weren’t open on Sunday, I decided to give Television a try out, about three and a half weeks hence, on a Sunday. The admission was one dollar. I thought the band was terrible; screechy, ear-splitting guitars and a jumble of sounds that “I just didn’t get.” I said, ” NEVER AGAIN!!!” After much cajoling and haranguing, however, I was persuaded to let them play again with another “hot’ new rock group from Forest Hills, Queens. They were called “The Ramones.” They were even worse than Television. At that first gig at CBGB, they were the most untogether group I’d ever heard. They kept starting and stopping-equipment breaking down-and yelling at each other. They were a mess.
-    Hilly Kristal, Founder of CBGB

Published on Apr 13, 2010 Filed under: Punk

The early history of Punk is signposted by a pair of now famous concerts in the summer of 1976. Each was attended by relatively few people at the time, but a very large percentage of those who did attend were inspired to form their own bands:

June 4, 1976: Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall. The Sex Pistols play to a scant 40 people, but amongst those few are Tony Wilson (impressario, owner of the Hacienda nightclub and Factory Records), Howard Devoto, Steve Diggle and Pete Shelley (Buzzcocks), Peter Hook and Bernard Sumner (Joy Division/New Order), music journalist Paul Morley, producer Martin Hannett and Morrissey. Oh, and Mick Hucknall of Simply Red (Not sure if he counts.)

July 4, 1976: One month later, on the date of the US Bicentennial, The Ramones perform their first UK gig at London’s Roundhouse. In the audience are members of The Clash, The Sex Pistols and The Buzzcocks. A monumental date in Anglo-American relations.

Published on Mar 25, 2010 Filed under: Punk

The guitar fury of Raw Power coursed from the fingers of one Mr. James Williamson who quit music altogether after falling out with Iggy a few years later. He took a degree in electrical engineering and began a long career in Silicon Valley, retiring as Director of the Technology Standards Office for Sony Electronics before re-joining Iggy for the Stooges reunion and sinfully-delayed induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Published on Mar 25, 2010 Filed under: Punk

Like the song says, PUNKS NOT DEAD. But like any living thing, it has grown and mutated into a wide variety of forms over the past four decades: Hardcore, Oi!, Post-punk, Punk pop, Cowpunk, Skate punk, Ska punk, Anarcho punk, Folk punk, Celtic punk, Thrash, Straightedge, New Wave.

Not all of them stuck with the “three chords and a cloud of dust” aesthetic of early Punk, but they all took its stripped-down approach, its love of distortion and noise and most important, they all took on punk’s simple, straight-ahead attitude: “Hand me that thing and get out of the way. I can do this.” You don’t need a lot to get started. You start with what you have. And that spirit, whether expressed through music or art or hacking or politics is the real legacy of the punk movement. Get out of the way. We can do this.

Published on Mar 25, 2010 Filed under: Punk

Impression of the Instore concert @ ReIssue, Tilburg. If you can’t see this movie, click here.

Published on Mar 17, 2010 Filed under: Punk

Shopping Saturday will never be the same..

Published on Mar 10, 2010 Filed under: Punk

Re-issue is located in the heart of Tiburg- the telefoonstraat to be exact. This store is know for its fine selection of re-issues and we’re proud to present the third edition of Suede Road Live concert at this joint. This Saturday (the 13th) will not be your ordinary shopping day: it will be a rocking shopping day! See you at 5pm!

Published on Mar 10, 2010 Filed under: Punk

1973 was the year that Walt “Clyde” Frazier asked Puma for a simple, straight-ahead low top with a wider last and a smooth but sticky sole to help him manoeuvre on court. That shoe, a signature version of the Suede dubbed the Clyde, immediately became a hit, as much for its understated style as for its toughness and traction.

Those same qualities soon found it a home on-stage and off among the young musicians thrashing, leaping and pounding their way to the musical style that would become punk. Tough. Simple. Cool. (And that extra traction doesn’t hurt when the stage is 10 feet square and slick with beer and sweat.)

Published on Mar 10, 2010 Filed under: Punk

1973 is the year that CBGB opened at the corner of Bowery and Bleeker. The club would soon become the premier showcase for punk and new wave bands, but the founder’s original plan was to feature Country, Bluegrass and Blues (which is where the name came from.)

Published on Feb 23, 2010 Filed under: Punk