20 pulverizing punk essentials from the 1970s

“Shot by Both Sides” by Magazine (1978)

After leaving the Buzzcocks, Howard Devoto formed Magazine with guitarist John McGeoch and bass player Barry Adamson. In their short life span, Magazine expanded the simple punk attack into a more dire and dramatic brand of music that would be at the foundation of post-punk. This was at the same time Elvis Costello was doing something very similar with his early band, the Attractions.

I wrote about one of Costello’s early songs, “Radio Radio,” in an earlier piece on hard rock songs of the ‘70s, and the distinction is informative. Costello had broader appeal than Devoto’s darker constructions and was able to bring punk into the mainstream. Devoto came close, especially on this great number, but he could not build out the way Costello could. However, we’re not completely finished with this particular lineage of British punk.

“Beat Your Heart Out” by the Zeros (1978)

They sounded so much like the Ramones that many people thought this was simply a side project. But the Zeros came from California and, wonders of wonders, were composed of a group of Mexican Americans. Javier Escovedo was from a prolific family that included his older brother Alejandro, who has been cranking out various forms of punk and rock for better than fifty years. He sang and played guitar. Robert Lopez joined him on guitar while Hector Penalosa and Baba Chenelle were the rhythm section.

They released a handful of singles on BOMP!, the label that released early recordings by a number of acts on this list but didn’t get an album released until many years later when an EP called The Zeros put four of their singles together. The Zeros achieved a fresh sound by looking back toward the garage rock of the ‘60s, peppered with some punk fuzz and solos. They are one of the great lost bands of the era.

“Typical Girls” by the Slits (1979)

You may have noticed a certain lack of XX chromosomes on the list so far. Had I not already included Patti Smith and the Runaways on the list of ’70s hard rock songs, women would have already been represented. But never fear. That absence is about to be corrected.

The Slits came out of London in the burgeoning days of early punk rock with a sound that was different from what most of the boys were doing. It was both melodious and jagged. Viv Albertine’s guitar constantly stabbed across the beat provided Budgie (who replaced the soon-to-be-mentioned Palmolive on drums shortly before their debut album) and Tessa Pollitt on bass. Above it all, vocalist Ari Up’s impassioned, dramatic delivery was quirky, fun, and just a bit disturbing. As such, it fits the roller coaster world of punk to a tee.