Playlist: Punk Summer
Going against the popular definition of punk rock… here are ten songs that don’t provide an escape into a new world, but activate the one you’re already in, via molecular agitation. That’s why it hurts to listen to these in winter (they push the cold even deeper into bones), but summer should always be felt as intensely as possible. This electric air might help; if not, look at some William Eggleston photos.
X-Ray Spex – “Germfree Adolescents”
Without fear she’d give up and die.
Blondie – “In The Sun”
New York isle is covered by gray concrete piles.
The Rezillos – “No”
Mommy, mommy, can I climb all the trees in the park?
Buzzcocks – “You Say You Don’t Love Me”
I’d be wrong to call it love, for the word entails a few things that I would be well rid of.
Adolescents – “Kids of the Black Hole”
The nights of endless drinking, the nights of violence, the nights of noise.
The Members – “Sound of the Suburbs”
The bass is too loud and I can’t hear the words.
The Weirdos – “Fallout”
Your skin will start to peel.
The Dils – “It’s Not Worth It”
You might as well spend your days in bed.
The Dictators – “Weekend”
I’ll do my homework in the bar.
Wire – “Mannequin”
You don’t even start to interest me — not even curiosity — it’s not animosity — just don’t interest me.
Farewell, Minneapolis. You do start to interest me, but it’s always easier to leave in a spirit of self-righteousness.
