Ramones, Clash Top (Rhino) Punk Box - Four-disc anthology due in October

Rolling Stone ^ | July 28, 2003 | COLIN DEVENISH

[weegee]

"I'm hoping that somebody new to rock & roll who just picked up albums by the White Stripes, Good Charlotte or Radiohead will find much to love here."

After the success of the Nuggets II boxed set I can understand why they would repackage their "DIY/Do It Yourself" punk compilation series as a boxed set.

I think that fans of the White Stripes, Mooney Suzuki, or Hives would prefer the Nuggets II boxed set to this and corporate punk fans have already shown that they have no sense of taste, history, or experimentation. They should expose themselves to this set of songs but it won't do any good.

I liked seeing bands like the Dictators and the Cramps included in the set (they are often overlooked) but there could have been some of the bands from other countries.

To correct this oversight, I would recommend the 2-disc Australian bands compilation ""Do The Pop" (although the Rhino comp DOES include The Saints' I'm Stranded).

[just_living]

This doesn't seem like good music for conservatives to listen to.

[weegee]

The songs are not all political by any stretch. Johnny Ramone was and is a conservative Republican.

Even the Dead Kennedys' "California Uber Alles" was down on Governor Jerry Brown turning California into a police state.

Many of these are love songs (and they aren't all "angry" songs either).

[just_living]

Jello Biafra is not the sort of roll model I choose as a conservative. Niether is a Ramone.

[just_living]

My God,
Look what Mr. Biafra's lyrics say about my beloved Ronald Regan (it's in the middle but I posted more for context):
We've Got A Bigger Problem Now
Last call for alcohol.
Last call for your freedom of speech.
Drink up. Happy hour is now enforced by law.
Don't forget our house special, it's called a Trickie Dickie Screwdriver.
It's got one part Jack Daniels, two parts purple Kool-Aid,
and a jigger of formaldehyde
from the jar with Hitler's brain in it we got in the back storeroom.
Happy trails to you. Happy trails to you.

I am Emperor Ronald Reagan
Born again with fascist cravings
Still, you made me president

Human rights will soon go 'way
I am now your Shah today
Now I command all of you
Now you're going to pray in school
I'll make sure they're Christian too

[Tijeras_Slim]

Why can't we enjoy our mis-spent youth?

[just_living]

Because you have changed your values, you are a conservative now. Start acting lke one. Give money to good conservative musicians. One's who sing life affirming songs that do not disparage our great leaders.
What did you think you were signing up for when you stop being a "punk pinky" to join the good fight?

[weegee]

I never said that Jello Biafra wasn't a rabid anarchist-socialist. I said that he was (at least in his early years) vitriolic about Jerry Brown.

I know that at least one FReeper was a roadie for the Ramones.

Do you have issues with every song on this compilation (not in the artists' songbooks, but in this compilation)?

[just_living]

This song is fine:
"Roadrunner," The Modern Lovers

My point is why waste your time and money listening to the soundtrack of the leftist revolution?

As you are a conservative what could you have in common with these liberal activists? We all know music is an effective "marketing tool". Why put your self in danger? (being a strong minded conservative you are not in danger, I'm sure, but why give money to these dinks?)

[weegee]

"Turn it down!"

[Tijeras_Slim]

Thanks for the scolding newbie, I feel much refreshed.

[just_living]

Being new to the board makes my "TRUE CONSERVATIVE" veiws less right?
This is the sort of music we should be fighting against.
It has no purpose. It is not life affirming.
End of argument.

[weegee]

The "leftist revolution" co-opted music in the 1960s. It co-opted the music in the 1970s and 1980s and 1990s too.

Punk did not start as political music. It was a bare bones back to basics reaction to stoner prog-rock arena jams ("classic rock" to many a FReeper). It was decidely ANTI-hippie too.

I won't stop listening to my music just because someone else starts listening to it or just because they are too dim to understand the lyrics.

I don't follow the Clash's politics (reputedly Marxism) but there are many of their songs that don't have any political content.

Meanwhile I'm sure that many FReepers will continue putting money in Willie Nelson's pockets despite his continued liberal political activism (and drug history). Merle Haggard is up there too.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I guess you're right. I reject the devil music. Back to Pat Boone.

[weegee]

Don't sweat the "small stuff". No one is talking about selling kids on angst. Boxed sets appeal to adults (despite what WB-Rhino thinks).

This is strictly nostalgia (the Nuggets II boxed set was not nostalgia as it proudly proclaimed that the songs contained therein almost exclusively were not hits).

If it is a new song to you, then it is a new song.

Why are you bothering with the "chat" side of FR if this is really your first day? Why aren't you on the news portion?

[Tijeras_Slim]

I see you're in Texas. When are you gonna stop listening to the devil music and get your legislators out of my state? :)

[just_living]

Back to someone who wants you as a fan.
Do you think any of the bands on this list even want some conservative as a fan (okay Johnny Ramone).
Much of this music is either highly political, or endorses behavior most gdod conservatives find repugnant.
Are you familiar with a Clash album called “Sandinista”? My God, which side are you on
Boy?
You cannot have you cake and eat it too.

[just_living]

Not in Texas, just my service provider.

[Tijeras_Slim]

How about this guy? Is he OK?

[just_living]

Sorry. That wasn't to me.
"Not in Texas, just my service provider."