Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground

• Andy Warhol (1928-87) – Artist and filmmaker. Leader in the pop-

art visual art movement– Coined the term “15 minutes of fame”– The Velvet Underground was Warhol’s

performance art rock band led by Lou Reed• Warhol designed all the album art

The Velvet Underground (1964-73)

• They were the house band for The Factory, Warhol’s studio and general place for artists to hang out

• Their lyrics tend towards despair and a pointlessness of existence

• German singer Nicco often joined the group for collaboration

• They influenced some of the early avant-garde groups in New York in the 70s

• Avant-Garde – art on the cutting edge or ahead of its time

“Rock & Roll”

“Sweet Jane”

NY Punk Rock

• Punk Rock began in New York in the mid 1970s by literary, beat-poet influenced avant-garde artists– These early punk pioneers were

performance artists who blended their art with stripped down rock music

– They wanted to distance themselves from every aspect of commercial rock music

New York Punk Rock

• CBGB – a small bar in the Bowery section of New York City where many punk pioneers began– CBGB-OMFUG: country, bluegrass, blues, and

other music for uplifting gourmandizers – pg. 235– Established in 1973 in the Bowery section of NYC– It was a rough, dive, boozer bar

NY Punk Scene• The focal point of Punk Rock was

not musical, it was extra-musical– Image was very important in Punk

Rock– Punk Rock is considered the ultimate

rebellion against virtually all forms of post-1960s rock and against society in general

New York Punk

• Some of the early pioneers of Punk Rock were:– Patti Smith – poet and performance

artist– Richard Hell – former Television

bassist and original DIY artist– The Ramones – stripped down punk

• A writer, poet and performance artist. – She sang her poetry– Her 1975 album Horses is considered

by some to be the first true American punk album

• She combined poetry with a heavy rock sound

– She considered herself a bridge between hippies and punk

• She is often called “The God-Mother of Punk”

• “Gloria” is a mix of Smith’s poetry & a Van Morrison song

Patti Smith (b. 1946)

Richard Hell & The Voidoids

• Patti Smith represents the transition from hippie to punker

• Richard Hell characterizes the complete image change to Punk Rock

• The first do-it-yourself punk rockers– In the punk subculture, the DIY ethic is tied to

anti-consumerism, and is a rejection of the need to purchase items or use existing systems or processes

• Artists avoided traditional rock venues and clothing• They wrote, recorded their own songs and created their

own record labels and channels for distribution

Richard Hell (b. 1949)• Richard Hell was one of the first to cut his hair short

and spike it– He saw himself as a blank canvas, able to represent the

average person• “Blank Generation” (1975) expresses the DIY punk

ethic

Blank Generation• I was sayin' let me outta here

before I was even born,It's such a gamble when you get a face,It's fascinatin' to observe what the mirror does,But when I dine it's for the wall that I set a place.

I belong to the blank generation,And I can take it or leave it each time.I belong to the generation,But I can take it or leave it each time.

Triangles were fallin' at the window as the doctor cursed,He was a cartoon long forsaken by the public eye,The nurse adjusted her garters as I breathed my first,The doctor grabbed my throat and yelled, "God's consolation prize!"

• I belong to the blank generation,And I can take it or leave it each time.I belong to the generation,But I can take it or leave it each time.

To hold the TV to my lips, the air so packed with cash,Then carry it up flights of stairs and drop it in the vacant lot,To lose my train of thought and fall into your arms tracks,And watch beneath the eyelids every passing dot

I belong to the blank generation,And I can take it or leave it each time.I belong to the generation,But I can take it or leave it each time.

• Inspired by the DIY ripped t-shirt angst of Richard Hell

• The Ramones optimize New York Punk Rock in the mid 1970s– Members: Johnny Cummings, Dee Dee Colvin, Jeffery (Joey)

Hyman, and Tommy Erdelyi – They adopted the surname Ramone

• Their music is fast, loud and stripped down to the basics– Most songs are based on 2 or 3 chords and last under 2 or 3

minutes in length

Blitzkrieg BopHey ho, let's go

Hey ho, let's go

They're forming in a straight lineThey're going through a tight wind

The kids are losing their mindsThe Blitzkrieg Bop

They're piling in the back seatThey're generating steam heat

Pulsating to the back beatThe Blitzkrieg Bop.

Hey ho, let's goShoot'em in the back now

What they want, I don't knowThey're all reved up and ready to go

(repeat)

Rock Rebels Again• Within a year Punk Rock spread to

England and was adopted by British teens who adopted an angry, anarchist, minimalist rock music that expressed their frustrations

Transition toBritish Punk Rock

• 1976 The Ramones released the British version of their first album inspiring British bands

• British youths had different reasons to rebel– High Unemployment among young workers– Skyrocketing gas prices, 25% inflation– Social class clashes– “You don’t sing about love to people on the dole”-

Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols• Dole = Welfare

• Members: – Front man Johnny Rotten, guitarist Steve

Jones, bassist Sid Vicious & drummer Paul Cook

• They promoted anger and anarchy in their music– “Anarchy in the U.K.” – warns of chaos in

England– “God Save the Queen” – banned by British

radio but sold over 150,000 copies in 5 days• The band played “God Save the queen” on a

barge that followed the Queen’s ship in the River Thames – they were arrested.

• Commercial success burned them out– Sid Vicious’ heroine addiction ruined his

career• After the band broke up he killed his girlfriend

Nancy in a heroine induced stupor– Film = Sid & Nancy

• Formed in 1976 they were the back up band for the Sex Pistols– Members: Joe Strummer (Lead

vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Simonon (Bass), & Nicky Headron (drums)

• In 1977 they signed with CBS and released their first self-titled album– Many songs become punk anthems

• “White Riot”• “London’s Burning”• “I’m so Bored with the U.S.A.”

• Their contract with CBS was a textbook example of what NOT to do when signing a contract– “…the group had to pay for their own tours,

recordings, remixes, artwork, expenses…” Pretty Vacant The History of UK Punk – Phil Strongman

• Their 3rd album London Calling achieved U.S. popularity with the title track– The lyrics are a play on a radio sign-in

during WWII, and are also a warning of nuclear threat

– The cover art was based on the cover of Elvis Presley’s self-titled album in 1956

– The began to mix other styles in their music

London CallingLondon calling to the faraway townsNow war is declared - and battle come downLondon calling to the underworldCome out of the cupboard,you boys and girlsLondon calling, now don't look to usPhoney Beatlemania has bitten the dustLondon calling, see we ain't got no swing'Cept for the ring of that truncheon thing

CHORUSThe ice age is coming, the sun's zooming inMeltdown expected, the wheat is growing thinEngines stop running, but I have no fearCause London is drowning and I, live by the river

London calling to the imitation zoneForget it, brother, you can go at it aloneLondon calling to the zombies of deathQuit holding out - and draw another breathLondon calling - and I don't wanna shoutBut while we were talking I saw you nodding outLondon calling, see we ain't got no highExcept for that one with the yellowy eyes

CHORUSThe ice age is coming, the sun's zooming inEngines stop running, the wheat is growing thinA nuclear error, but I have no fearCause London is drowning and I, I live by the river

(Repeat) Now get thisLondon calling, yes, I was there, tooAn' you know what they said? Well, some of it was true!London calling at the top of the dialAnd after all this, won't you give me a smile?London Calling

I never felt so much alike, like-a, like-a...

• Between 1982-84 the band fell apart– Drummer Topper Headron was asked to leave due to

his heroine addiction– In-fighting lead to the break-up of the band in early

1986• Rolling Stone magazine ranked them no. 30 on

their list of the 100 greatest bands of all time• Lead singer Joe Strummer died suddenly in

2002 of an un-diagnosed congenital heart defect

LA Punk Scene

• Bands out of L.A. and Hollywood reacted to the despair of excess and corruption.

• They took the energy from NY and British punk and brought it up a notch

• Bands include:• X – a husband and wife who mixed

poetry and Ramones inspired guitar and pounding drums.

• The Germs – Created a darker, self-destructive brand of hardcore punk.

• Poets and performance artists. • Their 1980 debut album Los Angeles

was produced by ex-Doors keyboardist Ray Manzerek

• “Los Angeles” • A very racist friend threw a “good

riddance” party upon leaving LA– It is a slam and parody on racist,

conservative greed and the “idle rich” in So Cal

• Warning: Explicit Lyrics

LA Punk Scene

• Suburban punk – LA suburbs, the level of violence heightens Bands:

• Black Flag• The Minutemen• The Circle Jerks• These bands created an even higher energy,

violent type of punk rock– Mosh pits, shaved heads, Mohawks, spitting on the

band and audience, fashion took on a military/combat look

– Bands from conservative OC had members who came from dysfunctional homes – they felt alienated

Hardcore PunkThe Dead Kennedys

• Formed in 1978 – San Fransisco• Their music addressed politics, satire,

shock, corporate rock and selling out• “California Über Alles” addresses the

theme of the corrosive nature of power, particularly in politics– It describes a fascist regime under then

newly elected Gov. Brown 1975-83

California Über Alles• I am Governor Jerry Brown

My aura smilesAnd never frownsSoon I will be president…

Carter power will soon go awayI will be Führer one dayI will command all of youYour kids will meditate in school

California & Uber Alles& Uber Alles California

Zen fascists will control you100% naturalYou will jog for the master raceAnd always wear the happy faceClose your eyes, can't happen hereBig Bro' on white horse is nearThe hippies won't come back you sayMellow out or you will pay

• California & Uber Alles& Uber Alles California

Now it is 1984Knock knock at your front doorIt's the suede/denim secret policeThey have come for your uncool niece

Come quietly to the campYou'd look nice as a drawstring lampDon't you worry, it's only a showerFor your clothes here's a pretty flower…

DIE on organic poison gasSerpent's egg's already hatchedYou will croak, you little clownWhen you mess with President Brown

California & Uber Alles& Uber Alles California

Reggae, Dub and Ska• Originated in the slums of Kingston Jamaica

– Bob Marley & the Wailers– Peter Tosh– Jimmy Cliff– Bunny Livingston

• Reggae is “The King’s music” the sound of the Rastafarian religion• Themes:

– Political and spiritual awareness– Love & peace– Historical figures and events significant to Africans

• Dub – instrumental remixes of reggae songs• Ska – an early predecessor to reggae• Adopted by British punks who were interested in racial equality.

Many combined Ska with punk content– Bands:

• The Clash• The Specials• The English Beat• The Police

Bob Marley (1945-81)• The most recognizable and best selling reggae artist• Guitarist and lead singer for The Wailers• Hits:

– “I Shot the Sheriff”– “No Woman No Cry”– “One Love”– “Jamming”– “Could You Be Loved”– “Stir It Up”– “Exodus”

• Bob Marley died from cancer at the age of 36

Buffalo Soldier – The first all black Calvary used by the US

during peacetime and during the Civil War• Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta:

There was a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America,Stolen from Africa, brought to America,Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.

I mean it, when I analyze the stench -To me it makes a lot of sense:How the Dreadlock Rasta was the Buffalo Soldier,And he was taken from Africa, brought to America,Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.

Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta -Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America.

If you know your history,Then you would know where you coming from,Then you wouldn't have to ask me,Who the 'eck do I think I am.

I'm just a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America,Stolen from Africa, brought to America,Said he was fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;Said he was a Buffalo Soldier win the war for America.

• Dreadie, woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,

Buffalo Soldier troddin' through the land, wo-ho-ooh!Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand,Troddin' through the land, yea-hea, yea-ea.

Said he was a Buffalo Soldier win the war for America;Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta,Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;Driven from the mainland to the heart of the Caribbean.

Singing, woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,

Troddin' through San Juan in the arms of America;Troddin' through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier -Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival:Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta.

Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,

How Punk Changed Rock

• Independent labels– The DIY ethic of punk rock included the formation of

many independent labels which eventually broke the hold of corporations over rock

• Punk paved the way for other bands of the post-baby-boom generation

The Decline of Punk Rock

• Just like other styles of rock, commercialization began Punk’s decline– Punk fashion entered the mass market

and pop-culture• Housewives could be seen wearing ripped t-

shirts