Political bands and punk

[firefall]

Can you remember any agit/political bands in punk rock and new wave and which are your favourite? i can recall-Stiff Little Fingers,Gang of Four,the anarcho-communa of Crass,Zounds,Flux of Pink Indians,Dirt,Poison Girls,the great Billy Bragg and gay activists-musicians like Communards and Tom Robinson.Do you think that their music was more important than ideas or the opposite?Did politics really work in a mainly social and ''lifestyle'' movement like punk rock?

[dearly beloved]

I used to really dig on Conflict and Amebix from the UK. Refered to these days as "crust punk". Also, Reagan Youth from NYC.

[geoffolehane]

When punk first got going it was primarily political in nature. It wasn't until later that it became more music oriented.

Remember early Clash, Sex Pistols, and the Jam. They all had political undertones in their music.

[KYYX4ever]

I learned all about politics in my teen years from some of the above-mentioned bands, as well as Dead kennedys, Black Flag, Naked Raygun, Fear, Youth Brigade, GBH, JFA, etc.

[firefall]

Fear''the Record'' a historic angry album,and how many times i've played''Lets have a war'' i don't know!

[Ollie Stench]

[quote][i]Originally posted by geoffolehane[/i]
<br>When punk first got going it was primarily political in nature. It wasn't until later that it became more music oriented.[/quote]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this statement. In the very beginnings, say 75-late 77 most bands were just into the shock value. If there was anything political it was about personal politics like not having a job or hating your school. The Damned, Sham 69, Chelsea, Eater, The Stranglers, hell most of the 2nd and 3rd string bands all had personal lyrics.

It wasn't until mid 78 or early 79 that you started to get bands like The Angelic Upstarts, CRASS, Discharge, Crisis, and the like that were really putting a political slant to the scene. It was the beginning of the "anarcho-punk" or "peace punk" scene where the message was deemed more important than the music.

[ben_at_work]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Ollie Stench[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by geoffolehane[/i]
<br>When punk first got going it was primarily political in nature. It wasn't until later that it became more music oriented.[/quote]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this statement. In the very beginnings, say 75-late 77 most bands were just into the shock value. If there was anything political it was about personal politics like not having a job or hating your school. The Damned, Sham 69, Chelsea, Eater, The Stranglers, hell most of the 2nd and 3rd string bands all had personal lyrics.

It wasn't until mid 78 or early 79 that you started to get bands like The Angelic Upstarts, CRASS, Discharge, Crisis, and the like that were really putting a political slant to the scene. It was the beginning of the "anarcho-punk" or "peace punk" scene where the message was deemed more important than the music.
[/quote]

Ollie, have you ever considered writing a book [:D] You know your shit, big time. I always enjoy your posts' [;)]

Actually, all of you guys know your music. Didn't want to not give props, where props are due. I know i don't post much but i've spent hours reading through all your wisdom [8D]

[Ollie Stench]

[quote][i]Originally posted by ben_at_work[/i]
Ollie, have you ever considered writing a book[/quote]

Thought about it, but that's how I learned what I know, by reading other people's books (and living my life!). I dunno, sometimes I wish I wasn't such a music geek!

[WolverineSyr]

I think we're pretty fortunate that you're a music geek.

Hey, how do other other people write books? By doing research (i.e.; reading other people's books.)
I agree, you should write.

[ben_at_work]

I'd Buy it. Rolling Stone Magazine would hail it as the definitive book on 70's-80's, punk, post-punk, new wave and everything in between. Playboy would say the same [:D] Geesh Ollie, you'd be famous!!!

[firefall]

Yes,Ollie come on!Always enjoyable your music knowledge and great also the link about Ed Gains Fan Club!Are you still making shows and which are your favourite ''famous'' bands ever supported?And what a band name!!

[Ollie Stench]

You guys are too kind! Makes me feel like the last 25 years of obsessive music hoarding hasn't been wasted!

I've posted this before, but this was a very rough, off-the-cuff beginning to my biased history of New Wave. It's the closest thing to starting a book that I've come.

http://www.tcpunk.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000357.html

Someday I'll get around to expanding on it. PLEASE keep in mind that the tone is very tounge-in-cheek!

The Ed Gein Fan Club (www.edgeinfanclub.com) is still going (since 1984!), but not really very active right now. The 3 of us all have other things going on right now that take away from the band.

As for whom I've supported, in various bands I've opened up for the following punk bands:

The Vandals
The Business
Toxic Reasons
Rocket From The Tombs
The Varukers
Marky Ramone
Murder City Devils
Candy Snatchers
Government Issue

and a bunch more I can't really think of off the top of my head.

And while I'm prostituting myself, you should all check out the band I'm currently playing synthesizer in:

www.myspace.com/thedivebombhoney

[WoodlandParkPunk]

Ollie, your the man. I too, am an old school punk. I turn 40 in December. I love punk for the energy and adrenalin rush, I could care less about the political issues. I want to be rocked, not preached at.

Keep up the great punk threads.

[KYYX4ever]

I concur with the Ollie lovin'. you really know your punk facts! I've learned from you and since you have indeed been around, it makes it all the more scintillating.
I don't listen to the old punk as much as I used to, but each time I do--and Borneojimy and xtc-1957 both sent me FAB (old) punk comps--I'm instantly like "whoa! Why don't I listen to this more?" and I get kind of nostalgic. There's nothing like that classic stuff. I love being rocked at, but I don't mind the political messages, either. And now, when you listen to those 70s and 80s punk lyrics, it's quite entertaining and informative to realize what where the political issues of the day.

That's cool that you got to open for Government Issue. I loved those guys. I really enjoyed the early 80s DC hardcore scene.