Common Misconceptions?

Question

What are some common misconceptions you'd like to clear up or that bother you?

This one doesn't bother me per se, but it is commonly held that the Ramones are the first punk band, which is incorrect. If you have a loose interpretation of what punk rock is then you could go back as far as say The Sonics, a stricter interpretation you could say the Stooges, stricter still and you'd say Television, Patti Smith, or the Dictators, but none of those are who I mean, their sound was getting closer, but it still wasn't quite straight forward "punk". So most people pinpoint the Ramones as that first band to really have the full blown raw, fast, loud punk sound, but there was one band that beat them to it that too many people overlook. Over in Australia, a band called the Saints formed that encapsulates punk rock just as well as the Ramones with rough raging guitars and youthful energy and attitude. While the Ramones may be my favorite band, the (still existing) Saints deserve their crdeit.

So if you like punk and you want to expand your collection, look into the first punk band ever, the first three albums at the very least are must haves and most after that are at least good as well. All hail the mighty Saints!

The first punk band is credited to a lot of artists, personally I'd credit the Stooges over the MC5. Although my pick is probably the Sonics, just listen to "He's Waiting" or "Cinderella" on Sonics Boom, if that's not punk I don't know anything about music! Listen to the samples of those songs here http://wm05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hbftxqukldae . But for standard 70's punk the Saints are where it's at. I can't remember andy of the misconceptions that made me start this thread, damn.

Oh, and I completely agree about the "sell out" thing, that's just an excuse to hate a band because it's trendy.

I know the MC5 were out before the Stooges, I just associate the Stooges sound with punk more, I couldn't say exactly why, maybe it's the hippy politics or the heavy blues influence on their sound. The Stooges just turn me on a little more.

A.T., I'm offended! Of course I already own It's Alive! (: But what I need next is the It's Alive DVD set, I've watched a little of it and it has some EXCELLENT footage, and it is weird that someone would mark off all the older classics without even hearing it.

Answer 1

That if a band signs to a major record label, they've sold out. It's just not true. Plenty of good albums have come from bands that have signed. Selling out is when a band drops all creativity, starts listening to what the businessmen tell them what to do, and are only in it for the money. Just because a band is popular, it doesn't mean they sold out. Same with putting out a crappy record. It can suck, but it doesn't mean they sold out.

I mostly say this in context with Green Day. A lot of people hate them because they aren't 'real' punk, and say they should never have signed on a major label. But, if you really listen to it, Dookie is a great album. It sounds similar to their earlier stuff, and not influenced by the label.

Answer 2

The only misconception I see here is when I see someone here asking for "some good Punk bands - but nothing too old." From the Sonics to the Vines - there is over 40 years of good Punk music (aka Garage Rock) to listen to. Why would someone who likes to listen to "loud, fast, rules" type music not include the Stooges, the Ramones, Television, the Vibrators, etc.??

As for the Ramones, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the live LP/CD 'It's Alive.' The Ramones at their best. As for the Saints, I have only listened to their first and second LPs/CDs.
But they too rocked and deserve as much credit as the Ramones do.

One other misconception that I can think of, but that doesn't really bother me, was that at the time all of those bands did not have the access to expsoure the Punk bands do today. No corporate sponsorship, no major labels, no air play...

But did that stop them from making good music? No.

Answer 3

You're right about bringing up Television - because from there we got Richard Hell and the Voidoids (1976) and The Sex Pistols (1976) and groups like Stiff Little Fingers circa 1977, and Siouxsie and the Banshees circa 1978 ... the Germs and so on ....But the Velvet Underground is actually responsible for influencing the Mc5.

And I agree with what Rckets said- technically the Mc5 were out three years before the stooges, and even Iggy cites them as influences ... I guess it's open for debate

edit: But I get what you mean Dan C - it is a bit disconcerting that kids these days assume the birth of punk began with the "The Blitzkrieg Bop" (which i love as much as the next devoted fan) but come on

Answer 4

That post '75 Fleetwood Mac is 'Pop'.
It's most definitely 'Rock' {and Classic Rock at that!}


That Ritchie Blackmore has gone 'soft' or sold-out because after 30+ years of just playing Rock / Metal, he chose to form a Renaissance/ Folk / Rock band with his wife.
He is still a great musician, and Renaissance music is something he has always loved. He is just doing what makes him happy.

Answer 5

That all newer pop-punk bands suck or have sold out.

Green Day, Blink-182, Angels and Airwaves, +44, ,Good Charlotte, New Found Glory, The Academy Is..., all those type bands. I love this music.. I wouldn't consider a band like Good Charlotte 'punk', but I still think that they are a good band. Pop-punk is the perfect term for these bands. Some fo them are bordering more ont he punk side, some veering slightly to pop, but they play good music, and should we hate a band because of their music, or because of what they look like or call themselves?

Answer 6

I think there is a common misconception that if one spends a lot of time listening to music that that makes one an expert who can lecture others on what music is good and what music is bad. Listening to music a lot makes one a fan, NOT an expert, and any decent person would not knock what others might like because it's not what they think is 'good' music.
While I love talking about music, I hate it when people freak out because they think what someone else like sucks. It kills the convo.

Answer 7

i hate that people are always implying that anything that isn't classic rock, then it's not rock at all. like when people just pick appart a group until other people start backing them up and pretty soon you have a whole group of haters telling everyone that if you don't like led zepplin or the beatles, then you don't like rock. sorry if that doesn't make sense.
i also agree with jake: well put.

Answer 8

I don't like that people that like "classic rock" think that people that listen to modern rock should like "classic rock" because its the influence of all these rock bands now. Sure I like a few classics, but I don't like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, or The Ramones....I like screaming. End of the rant..haha.

Answer 9

I thought the MC5 was credited for being the first punk band.

The only one I got right now, AFI is NOT an emo band, lol.

Answer 10

id like to say that i truly dont believe in the old rumor about the stuff the pumped out of rod stewart's stomach.