The Ramones

[Malbert]

I've read a couple of really good books about the band and a really good one about Joey recently. I dabbled in their music a little during my teens/ early 20's (you know, a couple of years ago) cherry picking songs along the way. I appreciate them more after reading about their struggles as a band, Joey's OCD and emotional issues, Johnny's tyranny, Dee Dee's ability to consume massive amounts of drugs and live through it, and Tommy's decision to be the drummer even though he had never played before. I wish I had had the opportunity to see them play live.

[fat cherry]

when my mate played their first album they blew me away. One of those moments. Years later I saw em supporting U2 at their 'longest day' gig at Milton Keynes. Not the best place to see them I suppose, in a field with the rain a coming down all day. In the spirit of neutrality all I can really say is they they got no more bottles thrown at them than anyone else - with the possible exception of U2 that is. A day full of top bands including that lot - REM before anyone had really heard much about them over here, Billy Bragg and cant remember anyone else. Rained lightly but constantly all day - it being June in the middle of england. My bro's girlfriend moaned all day long and kept wanting to go to the pub, I would have let her. On the bright side you could take as much booze in with you as you liked, which doesn't always happen thse days - the last U2 gig i saw there was no drink allowed whatsoever - bit of a downer. Oh..... the ramones? Great band in their day but i dont think they ever moved on much. First albums great but does sound dated these days. Read a good article on Mojo or Uncut covering the salient points of what you said.

[JackT]

First albums great but does sound dated these days..

That pretty much sums up all of punk as far as I'm concerned. It just sounds so corny now. By '79 it had served its purpose.

[girlwithnoname]

Bite your tongue! Wire's "Pink Flag" was, and remains, one of my favorite albums.

[black francis]

First few albums still blow me away. I played golf with some dude who was in a band that opened for the Bunnymen and had Hugh Jones produce on of their albums and we were talking music and I mentioned wishing I could have heard the first album in its proper context back in the 70's and he told me it really was the life changing event I had hoped it would be.

I still love punk rock. That said I prefer the more melodic and didn't have any time for hardcore.

[Mr. Brian]

That pretty much sums up all of punk as far as I'm concerned. It just sounds so corny now. By '79 it had served its purpose.

It's very corny to watch interviews with Johnny Rotten from the 70s. They were supposed to be so threatening and dangerous then but it just comes off kind of silly now.

[JackT]

It's very corny to watch interviews with Johnny Rotten from the 70s. They were supposed to be so threatening and dangerous then but it just comes off kind of silly now.

IMO the real legacy of Punk is Post-Punk, which I believe will prove ultimately more enduring. I don't think Joy Division will ever sound as goofy as Black Flag does now. Maybe I'm wrong.