Roogalator were more funk than punk, but they were one of the first bands to release a single on the fledgling Stiff Records in the summer of 1976. (more…)

A slightly startling 45 years ago, on 18 February 1977, Stiff Records released the first UK punk album – Damned Damned Damned. (more…)

The Pink Fairies were the oldest and hairiest band on Stiff Records – and released the second single on the indie punk label. (more…)

The Rolling Stones, recorded live at the BBC in 1965, just as they were transitioning from a band playing blues and R&B covers. (more…)

Here’s a classic example of country music’s breakaway Bakersfield Sound by Buck Rogers from 1965. (more…)

Buzzcocks began 1977 with the release of their landmark Spiral Scratch EP – opening the door for a wave of indie punk labels. (more…)

Hank Locklin was a huge country star, notching numerous hits with countless smooth songs showcasing his sweet and warm tenor and romantic sentiments. This old-timey number is an exception.

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The night I saw the legendary bass man from the legendary MC5 – and he didn’t play their legendary song, Kick Out The Jams. (more…)

Johnny Horton walked the line between country music and rockabilly but had his biggest success with a pair of folk-flavoured “saga songs” before dying an early death in a car crash in 1960. (more…)

Richard Hell’s debut single is one of the first examples of New York punk. It also defines the sound of what would later become known as post-punk… even though, strictly speaking, it’s more pre-punk. (more…)