Is this the best punk single of all time? It’s certainly up there. When you throw in the equally anthemic B-side Bored Teenagers, it’s a match for first wave classics like Blitzkrieg Bop, (I’m) Stranded, New Rose, God Save The Queen, Orgasm Addict and Peaches. (more…)

The Snuff Rock EP was such an accurate punk parody that you’d be forgiven for taking it as a prime example of first-wave punk. Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoisas were a satirical rock band – a real-life Spinal Tap – and enjoyed their biggest success in 1977, when this was released on Stiff. (more…)

Nobody has a good word to say about The Boomtown Rats any more, and we all know who’s responsible for that. But take away the obnoxious loudmouth know-all who can’t stop poking his nose into politics and they were a pretty great band at the start. (more…)

Cherry Vanilla was another of the Warhol acolytes from New York’s downtown scene to cross the pond and tag along with the punk scene in London. (more…)

Punk’s only trans performer, Wayne County – later Jayne County – made his/her first appearance with Max’s Kansas City. (more…)

If you organised the punk bands who emerged in the Class of ’77 into a football league, The Lurkers would be in the second or third division. But like one of those teams enjoying a giant-killing cup run, they still had their glory moments. (more…)

If bands like Television and Talking Heads were outliers in the punk firmament, then The Dead Boys, led by the scrawny, malnourished Stiv Bators, were perhaps its archetype. (more…)

Talking Heads were one of the least punky-sounding punk groups when they released their debut single in the summer of 1977. (more…)

Debbie Harry opened the door for girls in rock bands when Blondie released their debut single, with the sexiest B-side ever. (more…)

Blondie made their debut in June 1976 with X Offender, making them one of the first ‘punk’ bands to release a single. (more…)