The Clash.... punk's best!

Think we won't cover punk rock? Well, don't get your piercings all infected and think again, boys and girls. Not a long post, but a vital one nonetheless.

There aren't too many punk bands that are worth spending time with, according to the G.O.T. However, some of the best of the bunch include (with apologies to sub-genres to which some of these may more appropriately apply):

the Buzzcocks
the Sex Pistols
the Misfits
Black Flag
the Ramones
Siouxsie & the Banshees

But my personal favorite (perhaps because of the fairly melodic accessibility of most of their stuff) is none other than:

the CLASH!

How else does a band earn the title of "The Only Band That Matters" (bestowed by others, btw).

If you want a flavor for how fundamentally cool these kids were, please ignore Rock the Casbah and Should i Stay or Should I Go -- they are great, great songs, but are now overplayed caricatures of themselves that feature way too prominently in fraternity dance party send-ups of the 70s, and are played alongside Free Bird and Rock and Roll All Night.

Instead, give a listen to the tune London Calling (off album of the same name), where Joe Strummer's voice just DRIPS with the angry desperation of youth who can't catch a break. This is powerful stuff, people.

Also the interesting vocalizing of Jimmy Jazz. Won't be appealing to everyone's ears, but it can't be denied that these cats was creative, unique and powerful. This was not just simple three-chord thrashing about with a safety pin in your nipple. This was the real deal.

Hope you agree. And if not, GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!!

G.O.T.