NOFX

"Possesions never meant anything to me
I'm not crazy
Well that's not true, I've got a bed, and a guitar
And a dog named dog who pisses on my floor
That's right, I've got a floor
So what, so what, so what?"


I must say I'm a little astonished. It was so easy to write about previous bands, but when it comes to write something about my favourite band I feel strange emptiness in my mind. When you talk about something you really like, you want to show everybody why is it so awesome so bad, that sometimes you simply lack of words.

So let's start from basic informations. NOFX was formed in 1985 by Mike Burkett, Eric Melvin and Eric Sandin. In 1991 Aaron Abeyta (El Hefe) joined the band and from that time the band remains unchanged. After writing over 300 songs NOFX is still active.

The best way to describe their music is to say that they play fast, dynamic punk rock. Lyrics are usually sarcastic na witty, though they're not about serious things. You won't find many songs about love in their discography and even if you do, they will be rather ironic.

What I really adore NOFX for is their attitude. On every show, in every song you can feel that these guys are actually just having fun. They don't take serious all those ideas of punk movement, they're just having a good time. And I think that's what kept, and always keeps them together for all these years.

NOFX

Members:
Fat Mike
El Hefe
Eric Melvin
Erik Sandin

Past Members:
Scott Sellers
Scott Aldahl
Dave Allen
Dave Casillas
Steve Kidwiller

Discography:
Liberal Animation (1988) 
S&M Airlines (1989) 
Ribbed (1991) 
White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean (1992) 
Punk in Drublic (1994) 
Heavy Petting Zoo (1996) 
So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes (1997) 
Pump Up the Valuum (2000) 
The War on Errorism (2003) 
Wolves in Wolves' Clothing (2006) 
Coaster (2009) 
TBA (2011/2012)




http://www.myspace.com/nofx

The Casualties

"Beautiful words I will tell you on TV
I will lie to the poor and give to the rich"



The phenomenon of Sex Pistols had huge impact on young generation of musicians. Hundreds of new bands formed all across the world, eager to express themselves. Younger generations of musicians who followed punk movement and started to play in mid 80's are called second wave of punk rock. The Casualties are an example of band formed in that time.

What is characteristic about their music is that it's more 'powerful' than music played by other punk bands. I'd say that their inspiration was rather The Exploited than Sex Pistols. Fast, aggressive, full of political criticism - that's the punk rock played by The Casualties.

There are many controversies about this band. The majority of haters acuse them of being posers and sell outs. That's mostly because of their appearance (even I think they overdo it). But on the other hand - who cares? For me, they make fuckin' great music, very fun to listen to. And that's what matters the most.

The Casualties

Members:
Jorge Herrera
Rick Lopez
Jake Kolatis
Marc "Meggers" Eggers

Past members:
Colin - vocals (1990–1994)
Yureesh - drums (1990–1994)
Hank - guitar (1990–1991)
Mark - bass (1990–1993)
Fred - guitar (1991-1993)
Mike - bass (1993–1997)
Johnny - bass (1997–1998)
Shawn - drums (1993–1994)


Discography:
1997: For the Punx
1998: Underground Army
2000: Stay Out of Order
2001: Die Hards
2004: On the Front Line
2005: En La Línea Del Frente
2006: Under Attack
2009: We Are All We Have




http://www.myspace.com/thecasualties

Sex Pistols

Is it possible to form a band from musical amateurs, record one studio album and change the history of rock'n'roll? Yes it is, and here we have a proof. Formed in 1975, Sex Pistols, is by many people considered as a band who actually invented punk rock. And yeah, some say that Ramones were first. But it's Sex Pistols who started punk as style of music and look.

Punk played by Johhny Rotten's band can be described as aggressive, chaotic, loud. Definitely not a kind of music for everyone. Lyrics are ironic, often sarcastic, focused on politics and social problems. Back then Sex Pistols were absolutely shocking and revolutionary. They were hated by government, public opinion, media, but loved by rebelious, angry youth.

When you talk about Sex Pistols you can't not mention their bass player - Sid Vicious. Well, saying that he was a bass player is maybe too much, 'cause he actually couldn't play it (during gigs his bass was unplugged). But for many people he became an icon of punk rock. Later he turned out to be a pretty good singer (even though the rest of the band claimed that he can't sing). Sid Vicious died in 1979 of drug overdose. His death is a controversial topic even today.

Sex Pistols are still active, playing concerts (they still play same songs as in late 70's). But they are not so schocking anymore. They are considered more as relic of the past than an influental band. Their time has clearly passed and they have nothing in common with ideas of the movement they created (providing they ever had something in common with them). I think movie below should be the best way to sum up Sex Pistols.

.
Sex Pistols

Members:
John Lydon
Steve Jones
Paul Cook
Glen Matlock

Past members:
Sid Vicious 

Discography:
  Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols
 
  The Great Rock n Roll Swindle
  Some Product - Carri On Sex Pistols
  Kiss This
  NMTB / Spunk (aka This is Crap)
  Filthy Lucre Live
  The Filth and the Fury
  Jubilee
  Sex Pistols Box Set


http://www.myspace.com/sexpistolsofficial

Ramones

"But she just couldn't stay
She had to break away"

When you ask about a band which invented punk rock, almost always you'll get an answer: "Sex Pistols". But if you look at the dates, there is one band who actually did it earlier. They called themselves Ramones and formed in 1974 (a year before Sex Pistols). If you've never heard them, you definitely should give it a try.

If you think of Johnny Rotten's 'rotten' voice every time you hear someone says 'punk rock' then you might consider Ramones' music a little strange. Well, it is different. You won't find anger, hate nor political allusions in their lyrics (there is one exception - song below). It's just positive, simple (very easy to learn for beginner guitar players) music. And I think that's the cause of their success.

Now Ramones is considered as one of the most influental band in the history of rock'n'roll. Not everyone will like their music though. Especially those who started from listening to modern pop-punk bands may find Ramones' songs as unattractive or simply boring. But in the 70's they were something completely new and revolutionary. And they were source of inspiration for many younger bands.

Ramones

Past members:
Dee Dee Ramone
Johnny Ramone
Joey Ramone
Tommy Ramone
Marky Ramone
Richie Ramone
Elvis Ramone (Clem Burke)
C. J. Ramone

Discography:
 Ramones (1976)
 Leave Home (1977)
 Rocket to Russia (1977)
 Road to Ruin (1978)
 End of the Century (1980)
 Pleasant Dreams (1981)
 Subterranean Jungle (1983)
 Too Tough to Die (1984)
 Animal Boy (1986)
 Halfway to Sanity (1987)
 Brain Drain (1989)
 Mondo Bizarro (1992)
 Acid Eaters (1993)
 ¡Adios Amigos! (1995)
 

http://www.myspace.com/ramones

“You just pick up a chord, go twang, and you're got music.” - Sid Vicious

So here I am, in front of my pc, writing first post on my first blog ever. It doesn't matter who I am. The only thing that matters is what this blog is gonna be about.

I've been listening to punk rock for literally half of my life. I know many bands from all over the world and I want to share my knowledge with you guys. On this blog I will be posting bands that I used to listen, or listen with brief history and my subjective opinion on them. Whether you're new to punk or not, whether you hate 'sellouts' or love them, I'm sure you'll find something useful here.

Stay tuned!


Oh, and btw: English is not my mother tongue. Keep that in mind.