Ramones
The Ramones first album set the course for pretty much all of the music TNB covers today. So Andy picked this one and when you’re talking classic albums- there’s no discussion, it’s a fact. And though people wanted to punch me in the face at the time (1976) when I said I liked the Ramones- “You’re a musician and you like The Ramones! Why do like the worst music around?” I guess they didn’t like that it was the most simplest and raw, but I did. And I guess, I thought they were fucking morons, and I guess- I was right! And I was into minimalist art and poetry (kind of condensed writing) then and this fit right in with my tastes. And a few decades later, a lot more agreed. Hey Ho! Let’s Go!
Slimedog- This album was released forty years ago this month.
Andy- And in forty years I still can’t think of another album since that had the same impact on the music scene.
Slimedog- One of the most influential albums of all time and it cost, something like six thousand dollars to make. And a couple hundred to make the famous cover.
Andy- When you think about it, it kind of makes sense. It’s a very simple album, albeit brilliant, that strips out all the bullshit and exudes pure energy. Straight forward, raw power simplicity.
Slimedog- How did you come to buy the album?
Andy- I remember seeing the movie “Rock N’ Roll High School” as a senior in high school. (I think Andy meant Kindergarten) The Ramones were featured in it. They first appeared in the movie driving down the road playing, “I Just Want To Have Something To Do.” After that, I was hooked and bought the album “Road To Ruin.” Shortly after that I had all their albums.
Slimedog- My exposure was when the first record was just released. (Slimedog was in Kindergarten at the time.) I read Creem Magazine, a nationwide music mag from Michigan, that had turned me onto Iggy & The Stooges, New York Dolls, Modern Lovers, Dictators, Patti Smith…so when they gave this record a great review I bought it. It was the strangest album I had ever heard, I liked it but it left me stunned.
Andy- For me, coming from metal, it was different. But a good different. A step on the road to hardcore bliss.
Slimedog- I was unprepared what to expect from the review. Perhaps the writer was afraid no one would buy it, if he said, “songs that last two minutes, have three chords and four lines of lyrics.” The roughest music I had heard at this point was Iggy- but those songs still had conventional structures with guitar solos. This album blew my mind!
Andy- Definitely a trip, but soon it caught on like wild fire. I remember seeing The Ramones several times in concert in my early twenties and there was no one like them. Pure energy and excitement.
Slimedog- Saw them only once with you in Hampton Beach. Folks need to realize that in ’76 rock music meant Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan and Led Zeppelin. So a song like “Blitzkreig Bop” didn’t exactly fit in with the format. Still doesn’t on classic rock radio where it is played.
Andy- Sure. Well, that song is arguably, their most popular and influential tune. It’s been covered by lots of bands over the years. I even remember (local band) The Outlets playing it at The Rat. The Outlets singer giving credit to “the band that started it all” prior to singing.
Slimedog- You’re right, I saw a band cover it at The Midway about a month ago and now it’s in commercials and baseball games. It’s funny how most people thought how threatening the music was. I hear Beach Boys harmony in this song and Joey’s faux English vocals much like Herman’s Hermits (sixties English pop band that The Ramones reference in a line from “Judy Is A Punk” when they go “Second verse, different than the first.”)
Andy- I guess it just shows that people are still evolving for the better. Hopefully we won’t kill each other along the way.
Slimedog- Talking about violence, how about “Beat On The Brat?”
Andy- Such a great tune and arguably the most uniquely recognizable Ramones song. It’s hard for me to think about The Ramones without having that tune in my mind.
Slimedog- One of my faves. And instead of violent, it’s funny and exuberant. A lot of built-up excitement and tension release.
Andy- Yes, I think that’s what makes The Ramones so great. They’re a very fun non-serious band. All The Ramones tunes are presented with their tongue-in-cheek sarcasm.
Slimedog- The next song is “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue.” I count 15 words used in this song.
Andy- More high energy simplicity. This tune also throws in a cool dissonant chorded timing change like so many popular hardcore songs these days.
Slimedog- I wonder if they even knew they were doing that? LOL. This is another “four chords, four lines with a four count” song. How about “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You?”
Andy- A bit more poppy this time with a few Beach Boys woo-wahs thrown in for good measure.
Slimedog- Yeah, I count ten words used in this one. Very pop like. I guess folks will find it hard to believe that, in people’s reaction to them at this time, it was like now with extreme death metal.
Andy- I know it’s quite tame in comparison to what they spawned. I just hope everyone remembers The Ramones and how they changed music.
Slimedog- “Judy Is A Punk” goes, “And oh, I don’t know why/ Perhaps they’ll die/ Oh, yeah,” and it’s sung so cheery that it was probably more a reflection of the nihilistic feelings of the time- but now, all the original Ramones are dead.
Andy- The interesting thing about famous musicians dying before they get too old is that your last memory of them is as they looked in their prime. Performing at their peek. Perhaps that is the best way to remember The Ramones. Like a snap shot in time that will never change. A feeling that will never go away.
Slimedog- I think that seems the natural way to remember them, when they were at their best. And I think most would agree, this was their best album. Someone just informed me that “I’m a loudmouth, baby, you gotta shut it up!” Excellent choice today for an album, I’m leaning toward Hootie & The Blowfish for the next one.
Andy- Awesome.
