Rock and Roll Lecture Notes PDF

Preview

Summary

Notes from the lecture on rock and roll...

Description

205: Lecture 17 Rock Offshoots and Responses: Punk Rock Introduction 70s “Rock Star” ideology rejected by some One reaction was punk rock Punk Rock The first “alternative” music? Less mainstream, less commercial, more authentic Associated with independent record labels, local scenes Music of a new generation Angry, minimalist, back to basics Born in New York at CBGB (Country, Blue Grass, and Blues) Ancestors of Punk: The Velvet Underground Promoted by pop artist Andy Warhol Led by singer/guitarist Lou Reed and avant-garde violist John Cale Ambitious writing, experimental noise-rock Lyrics: sexual deviancy, drug addiction, alienation EX. “Heroin” (1967) Ignores traditional song form A different take on 60s drug culture Ancestors of Punk continued: The Stooges A “working class” take on punk Led by Iggy Pop Outrageous stage performances Music expresses anger and frustration First album (1969) produced by John Cale of Velvet Underground EX. “Search and Destroy” (1973) Angry, pessimistic music Guitar noise Other Punk Ancestors The New York Dolls “Garage rock” bands such as the Kingsmen (“Louie Louie,” 1963) Punk Rock Golden Age: 1975-1978 A musical and cultural rebellion Punk fashion DIY (“Do It Yourself”): the first rule of punk Bands learned music on the job

1

The Ramones The first bona-fide punk rock band A 50s rebel look Music: back to basics, stripped-down rock Debut album: The Ramones (1976) Fast, two-minute songs, high-energy guitar attack, ironic lyrics Influential in England EX. “I Wanna Be Sedated” Illustrates their twisted humor Catchy pop melody Beach Boys-like chorus “Sick bubble-gum music” Talking Heads Self-consciously artistic Influenced by minimalism Image of nerdy college students EX. “Psycho Killer” (1977) Intro Verse I can’t seem to face up to the facts I’m tense and nervous and I can’t relax I can’t sleep ‘cause my bed’s on fire Don’t touch me I’m a real live wire Chorus Pyscho Killer, qu’est-ce que c’est? Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better Run run run run run run run away Oh . . . Ay yai yai yai yai! Bridge Ce que j’ai fais, ce soir la (The things I did that night) Ce qu’elle a dit, ce soir la (The things she said that night) Réalisant mon espoir (Achieving my hope) Je me lance vers la gloire, okay (I hurl myself toward glory, okay) . . . I hate people when they’re not polite Punk in London Mid-70s: Economic hard times Rise of Margaret Thatcher and the New Right (conservatism) Brits infused punk with desperate anger Sex Pistols With the Clash, exemplified British punk rock Music stripped down: speed, noise (anti-music?)

2

Guitars, bass, drums only A music of anger, frustration, chaos Sex Pistols (continued) First single “Anarchy in the UK” (1976) Album Never Mind the Bollocks (1977) EX. “God Save The Queen” (1977) Banned, nevertheless No. 2 in England Thoughts on Punk Nothing but hype? Punk empowered women (Poly Styrene, Siouxsie Sioux, The Slits etc.) Punk quickly co-opted, became just another form of merchandise

3...