Top 3 Punk debut albums

This is my top 3 of the best punk debut albums. These were all from 1977. When punk really had a breakthrough with bands like the Sex Pistols and The Ramones (their first album is from 1976). In it's purest form punk is very rough but soon influences of new wave, reggae and ska slipped in as can be heared also by bands like Blondie, The Specials, The Police and many more.

The Stranglers - Rattus Norvegicus (1977)
The Clash - The Clash (1977)
Japan - Adolescent Sex (1977)

The Stranglers - Rattus Norvegicus

The title of the album referrs to the brown rat (Rattus Norvegicus) and the roman number IV was only to confuse the music industry that it could be their fourth album. That;s not the case it is their debut album. Originally the album would be titled "Dead On Arrival". Includes the singles "Peaches" and "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)". The Guildford Stranglers were formed in Guildford, Surrey in 1974 existing of Hugh Cornwall (vocals), Jean-Jacques Burnel (bass/vocals), Dave Greenfield (keyboards) and Jet Black (drums). In 1976 they changed the name simply to The Stranglers.

Back album cover

"Sometimes" is about violent argument with a girlfriend, "London Lady" about a contemporary female journalist, "Goodbye Toulouse" is about the destruction of Toulouse as predicted by Nostradamus and "Hanging Around" is about the type of people they saw in pubs where the band played. The singles: "Peaches" about a man observing the young girls on the beach and "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" is about the band's life in a squat in Surrey.

The Clash - The Clash

The Clash was formed in London 1976. The members played in other bands first. Joe Strummer (John Graham Mellor) played in the 101ers which he formed in 1974. Mick Jones played guitar in protopunk band London SS. Bassist Paul Simonon and drummer Terry Chimes auditioned for London SS but were rejected and Nicky (Topper) Headon drummed with the band for a week then quit. Then the Clash was formed without Terry Chimes who would be join later in 1977. At many times in the career of The Clash drummer topper Headon was replaced temporarily by Terry Chimes.

Back album cover

"Janie Jones" was about a famous pimp in London during the 70's, "Remote Control" was about the civic hall bureaucrats who had cancelled concerts, the police, big business and especially record companies, "I'm So Bored with the USA" condemns the Americanization of the UK, Hate and War", the inverse of the hippy greeting "Peace and Love", "Career Opportunities" is about the economical situation in the UK with not enough jobs for people, "Protex Blue" about a brand of condoms, "White Riot" on the album was actually an early demo version. "Police & Thieves" was added at the last moment with their influence of reggae and "Garageland" was written in response to Charles Shaar Murray's review of the Clash's early appearance at a concert of the Sex Pistols.

Japan - Adolescent Sex

Japan was formed in 1974 in Catford, South London. They started as a punk band and then moved to new wave and experimental exotic pop. The members were: David Sylvian (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steve Jansen (drums) , Mick Karn (bass guitar), joined the following year by Richard Barbieri (keyboards) and Rob Dean (lead guitar). They debuted with the single "Don't Rain on My Parade" which was a cover of a song by Barbara Streisand. A rerecorded version of the title song of the album became an international hit particularly in the Netherlands at #21 in 1979 and in Belgium at #28.

Single cover "Adolescent Sex"

The names of David Sylvian and Steve Jansen were not their real names. Because they looked a lot like the American Band "New York Dolls" David choose the name Sylvian instead of Sylvain. Steve took Jansen instead of Johansen from that band. They were actually brothers and their real family name is: Batt. The band became most famous for their later period when the moved to eperimental new wave music with hits like "Life In Tokyo", "Gentlemen Take Polaroids" and "Ghosts".

TRACKLISTINGS

The Stranglers - Rattus Norvegicus (1977)

Sometimes / Goodbye Toulouse / London Lady / Princess of the Streets / Hanging Around / Peaches / (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) / Ugly / Down in the Sewer (Falling/Down in the Sewer/Trying to Get Out Again/Rats Rally)

The Clash - The Clash (UK 1977)
Janie Jones / Remote Control / I'm So Bored with the USA / White Riot / Hate and War / What's My Name / Deny / London's Burning / Career Opportunities / Cheat / Protex Blue / Police & Thieves / 48 Hours / Garageland

The Clash - The Clash (US 1977)

Clash City Rockers / I'm So Bored with the USA / Remote Control / Complete Control / White Riot / (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais / London's Burning / I Fought the Law / Janie Jones / Career Opportunities / What's My Name / Hate & War / Police & Thieves / Jail Guitar Doors / Garageland

Japan - Adolescent Sex (1977)

Transmission / The Onconventionele / Wish You Were Black / Performance / Lovers on Main Street / Don't Rain on My Parade / Suburban Love / Adolescent Sex / Communist China / Television

AUDIO/VIDEO

The Stranglers - (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)