This is the second blog in the series The Indie Years - I am going to create one blog and playlist for each year. Inspired by the original punk bands there was an explosion of new talent that embraced the D.I.Y. ethos and didn't see lack of musicianship as a reason not to get up and perform.
The term post punk was used as a catch-all phrase as the new bands playing the most interesting music were all heading in different directions and leaving the limited pure punk behind.
The Indie Years 1978
In Manchester, Howard Devito had left the Buzzcocks and formed Magazine in 1977. This is their classic first single which reached the dizzy heights of #41 in the UK Charts in January 1978.
2) (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais - The Clash
This song showcases a remarkable progression the The Clash had made since their debut album the previous year. The lyrics are savage - they were no longer predicting a riot, they were documenting the decline of the country.
3) The Saints Are Coming - Skids
The third single by these Scottish punks was later a world-wide hit when covered by U2 and Green Day. Southampton FC used to play this before emerging on the pitch at St Mary's Stadium.
4) Hong Kong Garden - Siouxsie and the Banshees
Oriental tinged post punk ditty in homage to their favourite Chinese takeaway.
5) Alternative Ulster - Stiff Little Fingers (Rough Trade)
Northern Ireland's best punk band were the Stiff Little Fingers who found shot to fame after John Peel played their debut single Suspect Device on high rotation. Island Records paid for the recording of their debut album but refused to release it as they didn't think it would sell. Their manager then walked off with the master recordings and they were mixed and released on Geoff Travis' independent Rough Trade label. Inflamable Material became the first independent album to chart reaching #14 the following year.
6) Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't Have) - Buzzcocks
Pete Shelly took control of Manchester's Buzzcocks and had a big hit pairing the energy of punk rock with the winning pop subject matter of unrequited teenage love. It is a sub-three minute masterpiece.
7) Another Girl, Another Planet - The Only Ones
In the same vein is this gem from an otherwise forgotten band who released three albums between 78-81. They gained a cult following so may be worth some investigation but I haven't found the time yet.
8) Teenage Kicks - The Undertones
Another Norther Irish punk band and this song was beloved by Radio 1 Indie champion John Peel. They had a bit of a rivalry with the Stiff Little Fingers who they accused of exploiting the conflict of Northern Ireland. In return the Stiff Little Fingers accused The Undertones of ignoring it.
9) Down In The Tube Station At Midnight - The Jam
Paul Weller's social commentary and storytelling was at its peak with mid period The Jam. This was a single taken from their third album in under two years which shows either the unstoppable work ethos or lack of quality control. This tells a tale of a young man who gets a late night kicking from some thugs in an underground station.
10) Solitary Confinement - The Members
It's a joy to discover songs as fresh and funny as this four decades later. A punk rock story of a lad who moves to the big city for the excitement but the dream doesn't live up to expectations. Includes a spoken verse that would later become the trademark of Jarvis Cocker.
11) Digital - Joy Division (Factory)
Joy Division's first release was on the debut release from Tony Wilson's Factory Records on a double seven inch released in December 78.
12) Part Time Punks - Television Personalities
One of my favourite songs about indie snobbery - sneering at the trend following rich kids.
13) Okay - The Shoes
This is a long way from punk - A sweet power pop song by a US outfit with a sound that would be adopted by a number of indie bands in the 1980s.
14) Walk On By - The Stranglers
A cover of Dionne Warwick's 1964 R&B pop song. The Stranglers version has dirtier guitars and the punk vocal delivery. However The Stranglers were never a real punk band and had been touring the pub circuit for most of the decade. Doubling the length of the original with packing it with long winded organ solos reveals their true prog rock pretensions.
15) Because Of The Night - Patti Smith Group
Patti Smith's biggest hit was partially written by Bruce Springsteen whilst he was in a dispute with his record company and unable to record his own material. Patti Smith finished off the lyrics recorded it as a rock ballad to worldwide approval.
16) Take Me To The River - Talking Heads (Sire)
Another cover - This one was originally by Al Green and the Heads make it their own with this stripped down take.
17) Hanging On The Telephone - Blondie
Blondie's broke into the mainstream with a series of classic singles in 1978-79. Hanging On The Telephone was written by a LA band called The Nerves and it was this pile-driving cover that helped Blondie crack the UK top ten.
18) Be My Girl, Sally -The Police
An early album track, with another spoken word interlude, telling the tale of Sting's passionate relationship with a blow up doll. You won't find this on any of the later coffee table compilations!
19) You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory - Johnny Thunders
Ex New York Doll's member Johnny Thunders with backing support from Peter Perrett of The Only Ones.
20) Public Image - Public Image Limited
The Sex Pistols had imploded after their first album. Sid Vicious had murdered his girlfriend and died of a heroin overdose whilst of bail. Johnny Rotten had reverted to his real name of John Lydon and formed Public Image Limited in 1978. This was their debut single.
Further Reading...
The Indie Years 1977
The Indie Years 1979
The Indie Years 1980
The Indie Years 1981
The Indie Years 1982
The Indie Years 1983
The Indie Years 1984
The Indie Years 1985
The Indie Years 1986
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