PROTO-PUNK (the ghost style intrahistory)
A list by ElRitual
Categories: Genre
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or how punk became punk
exciting sounds from late 50s to mid 70s!!
bands of the 1st punk generation such as The Clash or Sex Pistols directly and clearly rejected the punk label they were tagged with. if you ask me, the first punk scene is not strictly a genre itself historically speaking, but a movement at its time. on the other hand, many people use the tag proto-punk nowadays although it's not a musical subgenre or even a movement to encompass bands of different fur. then, what's the point? well, punk is just a question of a particular spirit many people call attitude. however, this attitude has millions of tentacles and multiple ways since music is music, before it was officially called punk-rock. here are some examples of punk before punk attending to rock history, not only proto-punk as an anachronistic agreed upon label stuff, but pre punk in all its forms, from the beginning of r'n'r to the punk music official birth at the time (1st british release on oct, 76: Damned's New Rose to narrow)
if you are disagree about this topic, but you just like energetic, dirty and wild rock'n roll... maybe you can enjoy this list as well...
...and do not miss The Silly Man's Guide to Proto-Punk for a full experience
still under construction, probably forever
(sorry 4 my English)
last links update: 18/10/2020
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 | Ruth BrownHello Little Boy / If I Had Any Sense (1954) [Single] | |||
| screamin' & hollerin', really fast tempo (still R&B) early rock'n roll maybe not as fierce as proto-punk is supposed to be, but greasy, irreverent and intense enough grrrl power to start this list!!!! A-side to listen to: spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Chuck Berry and His ComboMaybellene / Wee Wee Hours (1955) [Single] | |||
| Maybellene turned R&B into rock'n'roll and practically defined the genre by itself
faster, louder and harder than ever Chuck Berry was the youth-gone-wild chronicler too, and electric distorted guitar would probably have about ten-year delay without him spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Jerry McCainGeronimo Rock & Roll / Choo Choo Rock (2001) [Single] | |||
| previously unreleased killah black rock'n'roll demo
recorded 1955 on McCain's living room complete stuff from this wild recording edited by Norton in five raw 7'' singles spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Ray Stanley | |||
| Let's Get Acquainted / Common Sense (1955) [Single]
"evil boyfriend prototype" added by Offler spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The Johnny Burnette Trio (Johnny, Dorsey and Paul)The Train Kept A-Rollin' / Honey Hush (1956) [Single] | |||
| amazing primitive distorted guitar, probably the wildest at the time, and punk attitude!!!
spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Joe ClayDuck Tail / Sixteen Chicks (1956) [Single] | |||
| Get on the Right Track / Cracker Jack (1956) [Single]
the begining of Sixteen Chicks is out of its time but Get On The Right Track is a really wyld one with amazing hi-energy guitars spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Eddie CochranSkinny Jim / Half Loved (1956) [Single] | |||
| Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie / Pocketful of Hearts (1958) [Single]
Somethin' Else / Boll Weevil Song (1959) [Single] C'mon Everybody (1959) [EP] Skinny Jim, C'mon Everybody, Summertime Blues, Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie, or Somethin' Else are catchy but frantic proud-of-my-toupé rockabilly stuff you can also check Nervous Breakdown demo version including on Rare 'n' Rockin' compilation, rawer, faster and a better example of pre-punk attitude than the definitive single version spoiler: click to read | ||||
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| Screamin' Jay HawkinsI Put a Spell on You / Little Demon (1956) [Single] | |||
| really screamin', really excessive
spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Little RichardRip It Up / Ready Teddy (1956) [Single] | |||
| being black, homosexual and rocker in Georgia during the 50s is enough... is there anything more punk?
this is a killah 2 sider as an example of Richard's great power Keep A Knockin' is a perfect example too. spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Jimmy Dee and the OffbeatsHenrietta / Don't Cry No More (1957) [Single] | |||
| Henrietta is one of the wildest tunes at the time
and Don't Cry No More is not too far punk! spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Bob LumanWhenever You're Ready / Red Hot (1957) [Single] | |||
| Really red hot Billy "The Kid" Emerson's cover on B-side!!!
spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Billy Riley and The Little Green MenRed Hot / Pearly Lee (1957) [Single] | |||
| Another Billy Emerson's Red Hot raw cover.
Even wilder than Luman's. spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Gene VincentGene Vincent and The Blue Caps (1957) | |||
| black leather, punk attitud and kick-your-ass rockabilly
Gene Vincent was a beast on and off stage Who Slapped John?, Cat Man or Hold Me, Hug Me, Rock Me are perfect examples of his wildness spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Lorrie and Larry CollinsWhistle Bait / Rock Boppin' Baby (1958) [Single] | |||
| lil' Larry as a bad guy. lovely!
Collins Kids predicted some kind of X-Ray Spex on A side spoiler: click to read | ||||
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| Wildman Tony Conn | |||
| Like Wow! / Dangerous Doll (1958) [DECCA 30813]
California greasy rocker with a rebel spirit Like Wow! spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Bo DiddleyBo Diddley (1958) [Compilation] | |||
| Bo Diddley's jungle beat guitar technique was very influential on every later energetic rock,
from Yardbirds to Gories through The Troggs, Flamin' Groovies and Stooges, among many others this was a premonitory album containing songs like Dearest Darling with an abrasive crescendo, but listen to Bo Diddley's Beach Party to appreciate Bo's pre-garage and blues punk style much better spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Herbie DuncanHot Lips Baby / Little Angel (1958) [Single] | |||
| energetic monster punkabilly!!!
specially on Hot Lips Baby spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Roddy Jackson and His BandHiccups / Moose on the Loose (1958) [Single] | |||
| overlooked frantic Specialty rockabilly
close to Ronnie Self spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Johnny Knight | |||
| Rock´n´Roll Guitars / Snake Shake (1958) [Single]
a tribute to wild guitars recorded on Morocco (M-1005) 1958 spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The Musical Linn TwinsRockin' Out the Blues / Indian Rock (1958) [Single] | |||
| neurotic rock'n roll with some pre-Cramps taste
spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The PhantomLove Me / Whisper Your Love (1960) [Single] | |||
| sounds like something between Elvis high on benzedrine and The Cramps
insanely recorded 1958 spoiler: click to read | ||||
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| Dwight PullenSunglasses After Dark / Teen Age Bug (1958) [Single] | |||
| "sunglass bad boy prototype, wild guitar solo"
added by Offler spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Tyrone SchmidlingHoney Don't / You're Gone, I'm Left (1958) [Single] | |||
| b-side's on the edge of transgression
angry alcoholic rockabilly with dirty guitars spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Ronnie SelfPetrified / You're So Right for Me (1958) [Single] | |||
| Mr. Frantic was one of the first too-much-too-soon things in rock'n roll history
You're So Right for Me and Bop-A-Lena were good examples spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The Rhythm RocketsMy Shadow / Lucky Day [Single] | |||
| crazy badass rockabilly played at lightning speed recorded 1958 spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Jack StarrBorn Petrified (1988) | |||
| primitive recordings from 1958 to early 60's
do it yourself in mom's bathroom, according to legend rock'n'roll outsider! spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Vince Taylor and His PlayboysBrand New Cadillac / Pledging My Love (1959) [Single] | |||
| Brand New Cadillac was later covered by The Clash
frantic and tacky rockabilly recorded 1958 spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Link Wray & His Ray MenRumble / The Swag (1958) [Single] | |||
| simply punk!
do not miss Street Fighter, probably the wildest one spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Ronnie DawsonCongratulations to Me / Rockin' Bones (1959) [Single] | |||
| Rockin’ Bones’ a rampant tune with a lot of energy
The Cramps made a slower cover of this song in their 2nd album spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Larry DonnHoney-Bun / That's What I Call a Ball (1959) [Single] | |||
| "wrecks the piano"
added by Offler spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Joyce GreenTomorrow / Black Cadillac (1960) [Single] | |||
| "evil girlfriend prototype"
recorded 1959 added by Offler spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Chan RomeroThe Hippy Hippy Shake / If I Had a Way (1959) [Single] | |||
| beat flavoured kick ass chicano rock'n roll
this is the original Hippy Hippy Shake spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Kid ThomasKid Thomas (2006) [EP] | |||
| between wild blues and kickass rock'n'roll
between Little Walter and Little Richard Kid Thomas got the attitude this compiles 2 killer singles from 1959 and 1965 rockin' the joint, indeed!!! spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The Thunder RocksWhat's the Word / Johnny Sax (1959) [Single] | |||
| awesome dirty & screamin' fratpunk
early Motor City rock pioneer spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Larry WilliamsBad Boy / She Said "Yeah" (1959) [Single] | |||
| Larry Williams represents the bad boy stereotype, he was not only a bad boy of R'N'R, but a dangerous guy against the law,
probably that's the reason why he transformed a dancin' tune like Bad Boy into some kind of New York Dolls sleazy sound precursor The Dolls covered Dizzy, Miss Lizzy actually spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Morty Shann & The MorticiansMovin' In / Red Headed Woman (2003) [Single] | |||
| "Unissued 1960 whip ass Adkins style raunch! UNREALLL!" Norton dixit
2-sider!!!! spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Big Brown & the GamblersMy Testament / Baby Blues (1961) [Single] | |||
| punkish screamin' british whitey R&B and rawk'n'roll catching some kind of Specials' 2 Tone spirit
side 1 spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Les Blousons noirsSpécial Rock (1961) [EP] | |||
| ultra amateur wild and weird r'nr
worst musicians ever?.. lovely!!! also listen Twist Again EP (1962) spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Mad Mike and The ManiacsThe Hunch / Quarter To Four (1961) [Single] | |||
| trashy tasty frat rock with snotty vocals
pretty insane for its time spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Screaming "Lord" Sutch With The Savages'Til the Following Night / Good Golly Miss Molly (1961) [Single] | |||
| "can't sing, doesn't care as long it's fast - UK punk"
added by Offler spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Dick DaleSurf Beat / Peppermint Man (1963) [Single] | |||
| adrenaline's surfing the hellfire
that guitar tone still burns! A-side. recorded 1962 spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Ralph Nielsen and The ChancellorsScream / Little Demon (1962) [Single] | |||
| psycho-surf!!!
psycho-billy!!! psycho-tic!!! spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The RumblersBoss / I Don't Need You No More (1962) [Single] | |||
| insane fratrock, specially on B-side
spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Bunker HillThe Girl Can't Dance / You Can't Make Me Doubt My Baby (1963) [Single] | |||
| Bunker Hill with Link Wray & The Wraymen
excess!!! spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The KingsmenLouie Louie / Haunted Castle (1963) [Single] | |||
| probably the first song officially hailed as proto-punk
an absolute all-time teen anthem spoiler: click to read | ||||
| Kack KlickLord My Cell Is Cold / One More Day and One More Night (1964) [Single] | |||
| "gruff and growling lyrics about being a jailbird!"
recorded 1963 but probably edited one year later both sides spoiler: click to read added by trianglecubed | ||||
| Hasil AdkinsShe Said / Is This the End (1964) [Single] | |||
| Adkins was the epitome of the wild man outsider out there
insane punkabilly self recorded on an ancient reel-to-reel tape deck edited in the 60's, but probably recorded in the late 50's do not miss Chicken Walk and Out to Hunch for a full experience!!! spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The Artesians / Woody Carr & The El CaminosTrick Bag / My Woman (2003) [Single] | |||
| killah Earl King's Trick Bag cover!!! close to The Sonics spirit, but a bit more insane
previously unreleased stuff, if you wanna know why just listen to it recorded 1964 spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The BarbariansHey Little Bird / You've Got to Understand (1964) [Single] | |||
| raucous vocals despite the melodic harmonies, noisy fuzz bass and guitars and an irresistible amateur charm on A-side
a greasy mid-tempo spoiler: click to read | ||||
| The Dave Clark FiveAny Way You Want It / Crying Over You (1964) [Single] | |||
| oh man, just listen to that guitar reverb on Any Way You Want It
it sounds a bit like power pop after punk rock explosion in the 70s this song was finally covered by the Ramones as a B-side spoiler: click to read | ||||
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