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…)

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

Television produced one of the foundation stones of punk with their debut single Little Johnny Jewel, released in 1976. (more…)

It’s the beginning of 1977 and punk is going overground. The Stranglers start the year with a bang, releasing their debut single Grip / London Lady. (more…)

All together now: “Rrrrright…. nowwww… Hahahaaaa!”

One night in late November 1976 I was at the Marquee Club watching a short fat Frenchman called Little Bob who played amphetamine-fuelled RnB when Malcolm McLaren walked in with a bag under his arm.

(more…)

As winter draws in, what better to chase away that chilly wind than a sunny slice of reggae from Jamaica. 
(more…)

Everyone my age must have grown up with Peter Wyngarde’s two TV shows – Department S and Jason King. Few have heard his only album.

(more…)

It’s funny to recall how much I hated disco at the time because this is another of those songs that just puts a smile on your face the minute you hear it.

(more…)