Friend of the show Ted Shomake riffs on the debut studio album from the Ramones, "Ramones" from July of 1976 (Judy Is A Punk / Blitzkreig Bop / 53rd and 3rd / Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue / Let's Dance). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from the motion picture “Logan's Run”) STAFF PICKS: “Don't Go Breaking My Heart'” by Elton John and Kiki Dee — Brian. “Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk)” by Parliament — Bruce. “Cherry Bomb” by the Runaways — Wayne. “Tom Tauberts Blues” by Tom Waits — Ted. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: "Movin'" - Brass Construction. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
The Ramones are considered the first true punk band by many. Despite never having a lot of commercial success, the band achieved immortality as the founders of a rock genre, and inspired a multitude of bands to follow. Their debut album, self titled as Ramones started it all in 1976. The album came out in February but we're featuring it in the summer of 1976 which is considered the "summer of punk."
The Ramones got their name from Paul McCartney of The Beatles, who would check into hotels using the pseudonym "Paul Ramon." Each band member took on the Ramone name, so the band consisted of Joey Ramone on lead vocals, Johnny Ramone on guitar, Dee Dee Ramone on bass and backing vocals, and Tommy Ramone on drums and backing vocals. The Ramones came out of Queens, New York and got their start in 1974 playing at the Manhattan clubs like Max's Kansas City and CBGB's, where they would be regulars.
While the iconic look of the ban is imitated frequently, at the time of the hippie and glam rock popularity they stood out in their black leather jackets. The music was different as well - high energy, simple chords, and tight, short singles. They played fast, and they played loud!
Recording was fast as well. Sessions for this debut album were completed in a week at a cost of $6,400. The result gave the appearance of a do-it-yourself work which hid the very deliberate work with overdubbing and doubling vocals.
While the debut album was not considered a commercial success at the time, it has grown in stature over the years to the point that it clocks in a number 33 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of all time, and number 1 on Spin Magazine's list of "50 Most Essential Punk Records."
The group would tour almost continually from their founding until they disbanded in 1996. Unfortunately all four of the founding members of the Ramone's have died.
Friend of the show Ted Shomake joins us to highlight this iconic band and album.
Judy Is A Punk
This song refers to Jackie and Judy, two juvenile delinquents who join the Ice Capades and the domestic terrorist Symbionese Liberation Army. They may have died by the end of the song. Clocking in at just over a minute and a half, you'd better listen quick!
Blitzkrieg Bop
If you have only heard one Ramones song, this is likely the one that you've heard. Despite the thinking that the song drops Nazi references, it is really about going to a concert. The band wanted to be a big rock and roll band, and this song was designed to give the audience something to chant, similar to the Bay City Rollers song, "Saturday Night." "Hey! Ho!...Let's go!"
53rd and 3rd
Bassist Dee Dee Ramone wrote this homage to the New York street corner also known as "The Loop," a location notorious for male prostitution in the mid-70's. The song tries to make a bleak reality something fun.
Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
Much of the work of the Ramones was designed to be shocking, but not meant to be taken seriously. "Now I wanna sniff some glue. Now I wanna have somethin' to do."
Let's Dance
While the rest of this album is original music, this is a cover of a 1962 song performed Chris Montez and written by Jim Lee. The Ramones took the speed and volume up from the Montez version, but otherwise stayed pretty faithful to the original.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Theme from the motion picture “Logan's Run"
Actually we are playing the more disco oriented theme from the television series "Logan's Run." but the motion picture of the post-apocalyptic world hit the theaters this month.
STAFF PICKS:
Don't Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee
Brian's staff pick features a famous duet inspired by the duets of Motown. John recorded his part in Toronto and Dee recorded her part in London. The original version had Elton John singing over 3/4 of the song, but he was reigned in by the producer. The song was a big hit, clocking in at the top of the charts in both the U.S. and the U.K. Surprisingly, this song is the first number 1 hit in the U.K for Elton John.
Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk) by Parliament
Bruce brings us perhaps the most famous P-Funk song, written by drummer Jerome Brailey, Bassist Bootsy Collins, and producer/founder George Clinton. This is off the fourth Parliament album "Mothership Connection." It was a concept album loosely based on an outer space theme, and would create the base for future P-Funk concerts.
Cherry Bomb by the Runaways
Wayne's staff pick brings us back to the punk feel with an all female band. Joan Jett and Lita Ford both got their start in this group. Other members included Jackie Fox on bass, Sandy West on drums, and lead singer Cherie Currie also contributed her name to the title of the song. The Runaways were a "put together" group rather than an organic group.
Tom Tauberts Blues by Tom Waits
Ted Shomake brings us a deep cut which captures the turn in Waits music from commercial to the more gravelly feel his later works would have. The song is about an alcoholic seeking money to go "waltzing Matilda," or going walking around as a vagrant. It is a lyrically dense, heartbreaking song.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Movin' by Brass Construction
This disco tinged mostly-instrumental takes us out of this episode.