Here’s some more French punk: Stinky Toys may have been the first, Métal Urbain were the crème de la crème.

I remember buying their single Paris Maquis back in 1977, as much for the excitement of hearing punk translated to another language and culture as for being the very first single ever put out by Rough Trade.

With the catalogue number RT001, it was a slap in the face for anyone who expected a Eurovision-style punk pastiche like, for example, Plastic Bertrand.

Non monsieur, Métal Urbain were nothing if not authentique: a cross-channel Sex Pistols or Clash with thrashing guitars, shouty vocals and angry political lyrics calling for revolution. Even if you didn’t speak French, you got the gist from the furious yell of “FASCISTE!” at the end of each verse.

They also introduced a new element – machine-driven rhythms created by custom-built synths and drum machines – making these anarchistes pioneers of yet-to-be-invented electro-punk.

It turns out that Paris Maquis was their second single; the first, Panik, was even better – and came with this video, demonstrating that they were far more than mere poseurs.

I remember they came to London to play the Roxy club and the Vortex, where I saw them supporting Slaughter & The Dogs, Spizz 77 and the unfortunately named Raped late in 1977.

The quartet only released one album, a collection of their singles – all three of them – and BBC sessions called Les Hommes Morts Sont Dangereux (Dead Men Are Dangerous).

They reunited in 2003 and recorded a Jello Biafra-produced effort with the more provocative title J’Irai Chier Dans Ton Vomi (I’m Going To Shit In Your Puke).