Feature Track: California Sun by Ramones (January 10, 1977/Sire Records/New York, NY)
When we last left Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy Ramone, they were about to embark on their first tour in support of their self-titled debut album. What they didn't quite grasp just yet is that they were to become one of those bands like The Kingsmen and The Velvet Underground. People who saw The Ramones live were awakened to the fact that, if they really wanted to, they could be doing this professionally, too. This had already sort of happened in New York, where CBGB regulars began adopting elements of that sound. A band called Angel and The Snake, who had opened for The Ramones at that first CBGB show in March of '74, took on a toned-down version of the driving rhythm section and buzzsaw guitars and changed their name to Blondie. Similarly, a tall dweeby art student from Scotland became fascinated with the D.I.Y. aesthetic and twitchy, paranoid lyrics. He started a band with his roommates called Talking Heads. But I'll get more into those groups another time.
On July 4th, 1976, The Ramones played live at The Roundhouse in London, where they shared a bill with American pop rock act Flamin' Groovies and local pub rock act The Stranglers. They tore through 16 songs in 45 minutes to rapturous applause. There was something of a punk scene in London when The Ramones arrived, but it mostly consisted of Malcolm McLaren's employees at SEX and the members of the Bromley Contingent. It was through Malcolm that many of them became aware of The Ramones, as he frequently played that album in the shop. Much of The Contingent was present that night at The Roundhouse, and the similarities between the look and attitude of The Ramones and The Contingent made it seem like this punk thing wasn't just the new London trend. It was international. The following night, the same lineup played at Dingwalls in Camden. Except this time, The Sex Pistols, The Damned, and The Clash were in attendance, having missed the previous night due to a gig in Sheffield. According to legend, The Sex Pistols were nervous about meeting The Ramones, believing the street-tough New Yorkers would beat them up. The Pistols were surprised to find that The Ramomes were quite friendly, and even encouraged their younger British contemporaries, who shared anxieties about their lack of skill. Johnny in particular wouldn't have it, saying "Wait till you see us—we stink, we're lousy, we can't play. Just get out there and do it."
In the wake of The Ramones' visit to London, the scene exploded. What had started as a handful of young people moved by the music of The Sex Pistols became a movement. The Stranglers, who had gone into 1976 as a pub rock act, became a punk band due to their association with The Ramones. New bands sprung up in London like The Vibrators and The Lurkers and Sham 69 and a slew of others as the 70s wore on.
Meanwhile, back in the US, The Ramones kept arriving to meet people who had bought the record. In Cleveland, they met The Dead Boys, who asked Joey to get them an audition at CBGB. According to legend, Stiv Bators climbed out of his (still moving car) to moon The Ramones as they led the band out of Ohio. But out of their visit, we got The Bizarros and The Pagans among others. In Los Angeles, they encountered Greg Ginn and Keith Morris of a band called Panic, who would later become Black Flag along with Joan Jett and Cherry Currie of The Runaways. And out of the shows in California, we got the likes of The Zeros and The Dils and The Germs(who practically learned to play their instruments onstage.) And through this web of associations, The Ramones became the leading figures of the punk movement.
Next time: The Only Band That Matters
Recommended reading: None.
Recommended activity: Learn a couple power chords and start a band with your friends. It's really fun, I promise.
Otherwise, just make art... and don't be afraid to suck, ya know?