UK vs US Punk Rock Throwdown: Results are In!By
Douglas Newman Share:
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The results of the UK vs US Punk Rock Throwdown are in. So, who reigns supreme? Take a look!
 The Ramones took this one in a battle that I thought would be a little closer.
 Okay, in hindsight I realize that this might not have been a fair fight. The reason I pitted Blondie against the Clash was that these bands, both of which started out as “punk,” hit the top 10, a rarity for the genre. However, the Clash’s influence and remarkable career is incomparable. The masses have spoken.
 This was a classic battle with the Jam (England’s finest) edging out X (LA’s best).
 This one surprised me. Buzzcocks scored an overwhelming victory over punk progenitor’s the New York Dolls.
 A close race between Wire, known for short, terse songs, and Television, known for long, snaky songs. Although they only released three albums (two in the 1970’s and a reunion album in 1993), Television gets the crown.
 Another shocker. I never imagined that Siouxsie would beat Patti by such a wide margin, especially considering Ms. Smith was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is still recording and touring frequently.
 A decisive victory for the beloved Gang of Four, whose influence can be heard in many of today’s young indie bands, especially Bloc Party.
 Robyn Hitchcock’s crew was no match for Jonathan Richman’s band.
 Slits handedly defeat shock punks, Plasmatics.
 I expected Mark E. Smith and his Fall to win, but not by quite such a large margin.
 Damned kill Dead Boys.
As many of you noted, it’s kind of a silly question, trying to determine whether the UK or US spawned the better punk bands. Both countries can be proud of the amazing music that rang out from its shores in the mid-to-late 1970’s. Regardless of your preference, there’s no denying the overwhelming impact all of these bands have had on the world of rock and roll, fashion, and culture.”This is a chord, this is another, this is a third. Now form a band. Loud fast rules!”
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COMMENTS (3)
redmond katz said:
Wot? No, Dead Kennedys? meghan said:
Hey, good point, WTF? Douglas said:
I focused on the first wave of punk mid to late 1970s. Dead Kennedys are really considered hardcore. Maybe I’ll do a hardcore battle next. |
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