Never Mind The Punk Rock Quotes - part V Quiz

Answer: "White Riot" - The Clash

After witnessing a riot in Brixton, UK, singer Joe Strummer wondered why black people seemed so much more expressive as far as rioting and protesting went than white people. Hence "White Riot" - no racism intended, just plain jealousy.

Answer: "Don't Dictate" - Penetration

Penetration released one brilliant and fierce single with "Don't Dictate". After that they lost their way. Their singer went on to front Pauline Murray & the Invisible Girls, a band that featured Wayne Hussey on guitar (cfr. Sisters Of Mercy and The Mission).

Answer: "Gabrielle" - The Nips

The Nips were fronted by Shane McGowan, who later went on to front the Pogues. It's been said that Shane lost an ear because it was bitten off at a Clash gig. This is however untrue. Shane's then girlfriend bit in his ear as a joke, but only took off a lobe, not the entire thing.

The Nips were first called The Nipple Erectors, but were forced to change their name, as it was considered offensive. His next band ran into similar problems. The Pogues were first called Pogue Mahone, which is something indecent in Old Irish, and they were forced to change their name as well.

Answer: "Where Were You" - The Mekons

The Mekons released a few nice and scratchy punk singles and a brilliant postpunk album ("The Quality Of Mercy is not Strnen" - 1979) but then decided that wasn't really what they wanted to do. So they exchanged the barren desert of Leeds for that of a mythical western and turned into a more country-influenced band. Hence becoming one of the forerunners of 'alternative country'.

Answer: "Into The Valley" - The Skids

The Skids' sound was dominated by anthemic choruses and ditto guitar riffs. When they split up in 1981, singer Richard Jobson kept on using the Skids name, while guitarist Stuart Adamson formed Big Country, a band with an even more anthemic sound.

Answer: "Make Trouble" - Johnny Moped

Johnny Moped (aka. Paul Halford) had been fronting bands such as the Black Witch Climax Blues Band, Genetic Breakdown, Johnny Moped and the Five Arrogant Superstars and Johnny Moped's Assault and Buggery during the early 70s. When Punk broke they chose the shorter Johnny Moped name and recorded one brilliant album: "Cycledelic" (1978). By this time their original bass player had long since changed his name from Ray Burns to Captain Sensible and he had departed to join The Damned.

He did however make a guest appearance on the album.

Answer: "Where's Captain Kirk" - Spizzenergi

Spizz has operated under numerous different names: Spizz 77, Spizz Oil, Spizzenergi, Athletico Spizz 80, the Spizzles, Spizzenergi: 2, Spizzorwell, Spizzsexual, Spizzvision and even Spizzenergi 2000.

Answer: "Nonalignment Pact" - Pere Ubu

Pere Ubu's singer David Thomas (aka. Crocus Behemoth) reunited with his old chums guitarist Cheetah Chrome (cfr. The Dead Boys) and bassist Craig Bell (cfr. Mirrors) to reform their old band, the legendary Rocket From The Tombs, for a reunion tour in June 2003.

Their late guitar player Peter Laughner was replaced by Television's Richard Lloyd and the drum stool was occupied by recent Pere Ubu member Steve Mehlman. A record containing their general rehearsal was released in 2004 - "Rocket Redux" - but if you wanna experience some real primal punk sounds try and download some of their live stuff.

It's kinda magical.

Answer: "I am The Owl" - Dead Kennedys

"I am the Owl" is Dead Kennedys indictment of certain government practices, like bugging your telephone and going through your dirty laundry.

Answer: "X-Offender - Blondie

Voila, to end on a brighter note, Blondie were a punk band as well.