6 British Punk Bands from the 1970s Who Should Have Been HUGE

[@JimDriver]

Here's a playlist featuring songs from the bands featured video: kzbin.info/aero/PLeEUmIKakqXOVGv4BH6ySlGAuRdPoqJV8&si=sxd47seQKkjsA4xE

[@pampossum9431]

Everybody has forgotten Can't Stand The Rezillos, fuckn stunning album.

[@JimDriver]

You are right! Great album. Cheers!

[@papajahko7121]

Still got it & still play it ! 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Malentraide878]

I like this album.

[@moreheff]

@@pampossum9431 Cracking album.

[@beemankunkel]

Great album, great songs, great bass tracks, great production quality on that album.

[@paulnesbitt1698]

I was lucky enough to see s few punk bands from the 70s , the pistols , the banshees , vortex , the vibrators , boom town rats , the ruts and the stranglers. For me bar far the best was the stranglers. I first seen them in BIRMINGHAM 1979 and they were totally awesome. The last time I seen the stranglers was 2022......and they are still awsome . I was 14 when the punk bands broke through......what a great time.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing your fantastic punk exploits with us. And thanks for watching!

[@jonathansteadman7935]

Stranglers by a mile, those early albums still sound brilliant

[@neil993]

I think Malcolm Owens death kinda makes The Ruts bullet proof, The Crack is a perfect album, and Staring at the Rude Boys is one of the greatest songs ever written. And the legacy can never be tarnished by diminishing returns. (Though West One (Shine on me) shows they potentially could have hit even bigger heights)

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Malcom and The Ruts. I agree with you overall. Cheers!

[@FatpunkSnr]

I would say The Ruts actually made it big, they have an incredible amount of success and they are still packing the punters in today. The Ruts are a step above anyone else on this list in what they achieved

[@anthonysprinks1253]

"Something that I said " is a masterpiece.

[@37895]

Wow.. that’s almost verbatim to what I was going to put..Sir, I salute you.

[@chrishowells1773]

Ruts DC are still go and are excellent live😊

[@ealingschoolofdrums3692]

My mate Gary Steadman was in Eater (guitar) he went on to join Classix Nouveaux, who he is still with. He was in Flock of Seagulls for a bit also. Thanks Jim, brilliant again !

[@JimDriver]

That's very kind of you to say so and thanks for the great information. Cheers!

[@gavinreid2741]

I met him. I went to school with Andy Blade.

[@karllux-d6g]

I'm from Portugal; in 77, at 14, I was after all the info available on the press of the time. There was only a good national mag, which provided little account of what was taking place in the UK, but then things changed. We owe it to António Sérgio, a local EMI's A&R , label manager , record producer and radio announcer/show director, who not only began playing early UK76 Punk on Portuguese airwaves, late at night already in late 76, on Rádio Renascença (the official Catholic station!), but also had the nerve to organize a Punk compilation with Brit bands at the end of 77, with most tracks licensed, with a single Pistols track (GSTQ) that would bring major problems. Around 400 lps were issued and then the whole batch was apprehended and destroyed , with a few albums still being sold, now at around 250 euros on Discogs. It became a legendary record here among early Punk devotees. Yes, António Sérgio, was still working for EMI and he wanted to include a Sex Pistols' track on his own ''New Wave / Punk 77'' (official title) compilation album, and that was absolutely VERBOTEN. As a result, he was sacked from ''Valentim de Carvalho/EMI'' (Lisbon), being set ''free'' for better and bigger adventures you should read about online. Look for the ''UIVO'' documentary, here. And why am i commenting about the record? Because it was only on that compilation that i heard EATER for the first time ( 2 tracks - Outside view/ Thinking of the USA), and i was glad to know their drummer was my age, an argumentation used to ''dignify'' my incipient musical punk ''talents'' before my parents...

[@paulsteadman5618]

Where is he from, I’m a Steadman from Newbury Park, Essex and it’s not a very common name !

[@ealingschoolofdrums3692]

@@paulsteadman5618 North London, we both met at Music College in 97, both as 'mature' students !

[@s3any1977]

X-Ray Spex were cracking. Just listened to Germ Free Adolescents recently and its a really good album.

[@JimDriver]

They really were great, weren't they? Have no fear they will be appearing on a a future video fairly soonish. Cheers!

[@MarleyBu]

Yeah, brilliant album. Poly is a legend.

[@sammyd8860]

100% agree. I still have the single Identity - brilliant !

[@OllyDitchGypsy]

Totally agree Poly styrene was ace

[@trevorhensby2118]

@@s3any1977 very underrated should’ve been massive,best song for it’s punchiest rythem is got to be identity

[@Wearenotreallyhere]

Totally agree on the Wasps! Other great melodic British punk era bands that should have had chart success : The Tights (two great singles!) , Wire (now revered but always ignored), Subway Sect, Penetration (Danger Signs had top 40 written all over it), The Drones (only big in Manchester) , The Flys (Love and a Molotov Cocktail should have been a hit) and The Boys.

[@JimDriver]

Some great calls there, thanks!

[@c.s.4428]

The Ruts were pretty massive among my friends... and they had more charting singles than most bands, except the big 5 (Damned, Pistols, Clash, Buzzcocks, Stranglers).

[@JimDriver]

You make some good points thanks for commenting! Please stick around for more. Cheers!

[@bassinyourfacelondon]

Dave Ruffy the Drummer in the Ruts was a neighbour of mine in the Early 90’s . By then he was Kirsty Macoll’s drummer. Top fella!

[@l.salisbury1253]

This is USA calling... Slaughter & the Dogs deserve their own section. Their debut "Do It Doggy Style" is my favorite UK LP of '78...!!

[@johngilmore697]

who are you? Bruce Forsyth

[@surreygoldprospector576]

@@Timmeh551 Some got married and settled down. Others left for a foreign town.

[@JimDriver]

It's funny, Slaughter and the Dogs never made much impact on me. I think they were bigger in the USA than they were on the British circuit. Cheers!

[@l.salisbury1253]

@@JimDriver Interesting, considering their debut was NOT released Stateside (at least not at that time)! Even the punk-friendly Sire Records (Ramones, Dead Boys) wouldn't take a chance on it- probably because their name - and album title- was to extreme even for them! (Sire did release Sham 69's debut in the US- it was not successful here!) Their second album "Bite Back" was pressed here, but by then they'd altered their moniker to Slaughter.

[@cyeamaculture8486]

Cranked up really high !!

[@KramarkEclipse]

Enjoyed this. Think one of the reasons most punk bands never make it big, especially in the US, is that it’s so hard to stay fresh & sustain the level of rebelliousness, fun, even integrity that “punk 101” requires without “selling out” (whatever that means). So most of it remains underground. After all, as one person said, ‘the apocalypse is only coming once’.

[@JimDriver]

Great story! Thanks for sharing it and thanks for the kind words. I really do appreciate it! Cheers!

[@spencerhardy8667]

My top band from that period that should have been massive was Punishment of Luxury (Punilux). Savage, sweet and hilarious. Like if John Cooper Clarke had joined Motorhead. Did that jellyfish ever get his Blue Peter badge? We will never know.

[@JimDriver]

Any band that takes their name from a Giovanni Segantini painting is fine by me! Great comment: thanks for sharing your views. I'll reacquaint myself with Punishment of Luxury. Thanks!

[@cyeamaculture8486]

I ended up as a teacher working alongside Brian who was lead singer of punilux..great bloke..I never got to see them live but I know they still did gigs up until 7 or 8 years ago

[@Exisles]

Saw them live, Reading Rock '78, an unforgettable experience !

[@moreheff]

That is a great shout!

[@nw8te62]

Laughing Academy is definitely one of my favourite punk LPs. Genius lyrics and very innovative guitar work.

[@garethgriffiths1674]

Skimming through the comments seeing some excellent "suggested additions" to the list. But one missing is the great Gang of Four.

[@JimDriver]

Good call! Thanks for taking the time. I must do something about Gang of Four one day soon. Cheers!

[@richardlane9800]

Thanks for the coverage of ATV, one of my favourite bands of all time! It was the Peel Session version of 'The Good Missionary' - a snippet of which you included here - that first got me onto them as a teenager.

[@JimDriver]

No problem! It's totally my pleasure. Provided people that you keep watching, commenting and engaging, I'm happy. Please keep watching!

[@kurtz2ld907]

The Ruts, x ray spex, siouxse and the banshees, and 999 were my favourite punk bands. 1976-1977 such an exciting time for music.

[@4tuneagent]

4 of my Favorites.. 999 especially. They toured America in '79-'80, and got to see them, The Biggest Tour in Sport. But how can he not include the UK Subs.. Ridiculous!.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, it was an exciting time for Music and the band you mentioned made it even more so. Thanks for watching and for taking part. Cheers!

[@craigdorsey8624]

Saw 999 numerous times here in California at the Cookoo’s Nest in Costa Mesa. Loved that group and have all their albums.

[@thehum1000]

Banshees were never considered punk in the uk, more goth really, but american punk was never related to uk punk.....it was more of a movement here linked to skinheads, far right and anarchists, banshees were a more pop culture..mainstream like Bauhaus etc in the 80s

[@kurtz2ld907]

@@thehum1000 nonsense. They were a punk band. siouxse was around for the birth of punk.. she can be seen in the pictures from the beginning of the era.. is part of the infamous interview with Bill Grundy.. was there at the birth of the sex pistols etc.. Now they may have been considered “New Wave” later on their career but they started as Punks… oh and skinheads were not part of the Punk scene.

[@benji.B-side]

You reminded me of a story in the 80's. As teens, we had been at a friends house and at about 11.30 pm, we left to go home. On my friends car there was a pigs head on his bonnet, which totally shocked us and made us all burst out in laughter. There then became a discussion on who was going to remove the pigs head? Everyone was like 'I'm not touching it', so we all just got into the car. I was sitting in the front seat and said to my friend, "Just floor it, the pigs head will roll off', so he did just that. Instead of rolling off, the pigs head shot onto his windscreen, like a horror movie scene, with all of us screaming 'AHHHH!!' in jest, as the pig stared at us. My friend swerved side to side trying to shake it off. It was only when he took a corner that it eventually rolled off. 😅 For day we wondered, who would put a pigs head on my mates car? Then a few days later, I found out that the Angelic Upstarts had been doing a Gig at the 'Old Twenty Nine' and someone drunk at that gig, must have carried the pigs head from that gig for about 3 miles, to only then randomly dump it on my mates car. 😂

[@JimDriver]

Haha! Great, if gruesome, story and thanks for sharing it. Never heard of anyone bringing a cow's head to a gig. Perhaps that was a bit too weird?!

[@ChristianCziurlock]

Fantastic video, I was only old enough to catch the tail end of punk and the birth of hardcore and heavy metal, but have always been a fan.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for your positive comment. I really do appreciate it! It was a fantastic time to be alive. I was very lucky and I'm trying to share what it was like with people who could not be there for whatever reason. Please keep watching and commenting. Cheers!

[@RobBCactive]

Heavy Metal came before Punk!! You're confusing NWoBHM bands with the genre, that most definitely included Black Sabbath, Rush, Judas Priest, AC/DC and Motorhead with early "heavy metal" a term of abuse for heavy rock, lead by minor bands like Led Zeppelin of the "unholy trinity".

[@davidmiller6504]

Ruts DC are a superb live act these days and still releasing excellent songs. I caught them supporting The Strangles after covid.. Wasn't expecting much as the Men in Black's support acts have often left me disappointed. On that night they really delivered and had a strong following in the audience. Catch them while you can!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing that information. I must admit, I've not seen any of these bands for years and years. I often wonder what I'd think now. Cheers!

[@FatpunkSnr]

@@JimDriver Ruts DC are super, I think Eater played Northampton recently

[@speedking439]

You should have pointed out that Mark Perry started Sniffing Glue Fanzine in 76 which was also the starting point for Danny Baker into journalism , radio , TV and Daz adverts.

[@JimDriver]

Good point! But you already knew that, as (I would guess) did most of the people who know anything about ATV, and, to be fair, editing a magazine (even as ground-breaking as Sniffing Glue) isn't really relevant in a discussion about musical talent. I don't think so, anyway… Danny Baker? I didn't even point out he was Hilda Baker's bastard son. That's how negligent I am! 😄 Thanks for taking part. You're probably right, and I'm wrong - except for Danny Baker, of course. He used to steal records from the record shop that employed him. Shocking fellow… 😇

[@southerner4566]

This one of the best music channels around, It's great hearing about the old bands Id forgotten about

[@JimDriver]

How very good of you to say so. I really do appreciate it. Thanks for thagt and please keep watching. Cheers!

[@steveakka]

Fantastic band The Ruts..still my favourites..The Crack is a brilliant album 👍

[@JimDriver]

The Ruts were great, weren't they? Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@dea01ify]

Both The Crack and Grin & Bear It are great. Still listen to them.

[@paulshaw4451]

Incredible, just pause this at 5:25... that line up for the Roxy... imagine living in London then, night after night going out seeing these bands... and that's just one venue... I was only 2 years old in January 1977... I love the scene now based around the Windmill and associated venues, but this would have been the greatest time to be old enough to go out for me...

[@JimDriver]

Yes, it was a great time to be alive and a music lover. There were over a hundred pub and club venues operating in London at the time, mostly with live music seven nights a week. We didn't realise how lucky we were! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@gavinreid2741]

I often went to gigs at the Roxy. Great Times

[@markj122]

I was 10 when this was going on, and in the US. I would’ve gone to nearly every show in that list knowing what I do now about that era. Being able to see the damned and the buzzcocks multiple times in a month. Heaven on earth.

[@riotambopata2772]

I did exactly the same....saw that bit and said 'whoa'; went back and checked out that line up. I agree: amazing. But would have meant nothing to me then because in 1977 I lived in small town in Cheshire and went out dressed as Paul Stanley from KISS.

[@JimDriver]

@@riotambopata2772 Great story! Thanks for sharing it. Cheers!

[@wonton8983]

Give Amyl and the Sniffers a listen, they are like a blast from the past.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the recommendation! I’m always on the lookout for new music, and I appreciate you sharing this gem! Cheers!

[@glenallen320]

Seen them live a couple of times, very enjoyable. Have you heard Lambrini Girls? Similar to Amyl but I like them more, very raw!

[@drunvert]

​@@glenallen320 not yet. Going to now if there is a you tube vid. 💯👍

[@drunvert]

The Slits were kinda big. XTC was HUGE. Especially here in California

[@drunvert]

Ha. CRASS was big in LA too.I had a Crass bumper sticker on my car in High School

[@PWMoze]

Another great video Jim. Saw the Ruts and Alternative TV back in the day (as well as the UK Subs, the Mekons, Eddie and the Hotrods, The Lurkers, Here and Now etc etc) and XTC a few years later. For a fresh faced 15 year old, too timid to try to get served at the bar, those early punk gigs were terrifying. Terrifying but brilliantly exciting. Like many of my mates, it inspired me to try and do it myself. Still trying to emulate all that excitement this day! Punks not dead...it's just taking a breather!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the kind words and for getting involved in the channel. Very much appreciated! It was a terrific time and we were so lucky to be there. Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories. Cheers!

[@themasterswitch1603]

Good vid. Good list. I'd put Magazine and Wire in there too.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much for saying so. I do try my best and I'm definitely getting better! 😗 You're also totally right about wire and magazine. I must do something about both of them very soon…

[@doctorvonbrown881]

Cracking commentary on some top bands! I Really enjoy listening! I still have not yet got into XTC, although i really like the singles I've heard. Plus like the Dukes of Stratosphere. Other bands from that era i like are Subway Sect, Wire, Soft Boys, Television Personalities, Swell Maps, Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire. Will be checking your past videos for info! Many thanks

[@JimDriver]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the additional information. I'll make sure to check them out. Cheers and please keep watching!

[@argopunk]

Here in Canada, XTC had their official North American fan club in Barrie Ontario of all places--it was called The Little Express and operated officially from '83 to 2000. Before that it was unofficial hehe. XTC got plenty of radio play with "Making Plans for Nigel" in 1980, "Senses Working Overtime" in '82 and "Dear God" in '86/'87. But, true, they never got big where it really counts for the mega money, the USA. Although, I recall a 1987 Andy Partridge interview when he said they made some pretty good coin from the "Skylarking" album. So, hopefully that set them up somewhat nicely. I liked their alter-ego psychedelic band, The Dukes of Stratosphear, too.

[@JimDriver]

Great comment - thanks! There's a lot more to XTC and Andy Partridge than I could share in this video. Maybe they deserve one of their own in the future?! Cheers!

[@seanp9277]

@@JimDriver Barry Andrews went on to form Shriekback.

[@geoffreycanie4609]

We found Can't Stand the Rezillos in my uncles records during the 90s and our minds were blown - on the same occasion we also found The Clash 45 Gates of the West/Groovy Times! It was an epiphany

[@JimDriver]

Sounds like you had an uncle with great taste! Thanks for sharing that. Cheers!

[@evad520]

You're joking about XTC right? They had hits even in the U.S.. up until the 1990s.

[@davidmorgan6896]

I never really got XTC, but I've got friends with impeccable taste who loved them. These friends are way more into jazz/prog than punk and insist that XTC were not a punk band.

[@trevorhoward2254]

@@davidmorgan6896 Oranges And Lemons which was from '89 (I think) is still a personal favourite.

[@neil993]

@@davidmorgan6896 I kinda think XTC have elements of punk/prog/jazz and even pop and they're all the better for it. I like XTC but people who love them...really really love them.

[@gaycha6589]

@@evad520 XTC like the Police, Magazine and Paul Weller, were journeymen who surged the punk new wave whilst having better things in mind.

[@JimDriver]

It doesn't matter. Go into a local bar or deli and ask about XTC: you'll be met with a sea of blank faces, but ask about Prince, or Alice Cooper, or Frank Sinatra, or Jerry Lee Lewis aor even Talking Heads, and most people will know who you're talking about. That's the difference between "having a few hits years ago" and being HUGE. But please keep watching and commenting!

[@vascoapolonio2309]

I was 6 in 76. Grow up listening to all british modern music i could in a very grey, gloomy Portugal. I literally learned English translating every albuns, recording in cassette from the radio and later becoming a drummer in a lot of punk, trash and ska bands... your videos make me feel like i'm home. Thank you, mate. Punks' Not Dead, yet...😂😂😂

[@JimDriver]

Thank YOU for sharing your great story. If the video makes you feel like you're at home, I feel I have done my job. Cheers!

[@MadderMel]

The early Punk bands ! It's simply incredible just how many of the first wave of British Punk bands there actually was !

[@JimDriver]

It was like an explosion of talent. I think the Punk and DIY movements (subtly different but with roughly the same goals) gave ordinary kids the inspiration to try and form a band and make music for themselves. A great time! Thanks for taking part.

[@libertard6101]

Yes , but remember who started it . MC5 , Iggy and Ramones!! lol …. The Stooges 1969

[@JimDriver]

@@libertard6101 Haha! That's one explanation! Believe me, American rock had very little influence over Punk in the UK…

[@paulnewton9733]

Couldn't agree more about XTC. You nailed it and the end of the piece on them. As for ATV, they're my joint favourite Punk band, along with UK Subs. 👍

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. Hope you'll stick around and keep commenting. Cheers!

[@robpaige2376]

Sad to see the omission of The Adverts on this list. TV Smith's lyrics are urban poetry, and the band, as ramshackle as they were, could've been huge considering the leap between Crossing the Red Sea and Cast of Thousands. To me, they represent the definition of classic English punk.

[@garygilmore2050]

They gave me a few years of fame and free drinks

[@matthiaspfisterer2066]

They were the greatest. And even Tim Smith´s solo performances range for me way above a lot of concerts by other "full bands" that I have seen. Lively, toxic and extremely likeable and intelligent. I still remember how once a string on his guitar broke during the gig; he smiled, said "excuse me a second", jumped from the stage in a sudden leap, made his way right through the (packed) audience to the backstage (which is at the other end of the place and up a narrow staircase there) and was back in less than about three minutes with a bundle of strings which he then quickly sorted out, blitzfixed the guitar and ONE TWO THREE go for it again. Sometimes talked a bit with him after his gigs (was at a lot), he´s really a one of a kind nice person.

[@matthiaspfisterer2066]

p.s.: and his "It´s expensive being poor" is still one of my favourite songs of all times.

[@JimDriver]

The Adverts were great and I am a big fan of Tim Smith and the others. But this is just one video. Lots of great bands, (hopefully) lots of videos! Thanks for taking part. Cheers!

[@fkat1666]

The Outsiders never mentioned that's Adrian Borlands band before the Sound kzbin.info/www/bejne/en6kmpJ_qLeSmtksi=vplju3VbldSwhGd1

[@tlcochrane]

This is great! Cheers from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for that positive comment. 👍 Cheers back from sunny Ramsgate in Kent (UK)! ☀️

[@yorpshard]

Cool video. I always thought The Boys should have been much bigger than they ever got. Perfect balance of punk energy and melodic hooks with Excellent playing, vocals & songwriting. At least over here in the States they never seemed to get their due.

[@gregmg999]

The Boys had perhaps the best punk single of all as the Yobs with “The Ballad Of The Warrington”!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for commenting with such great points. I agree we just about everything you say. Cheers!

[@wimaranes]

Love ya take with humour - Thanks for all yer info 🙂 From Portugal, yours truly 🙂

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for those kind words. I love almost everything about Portugal (I'm a veggie, so the pork stuff is out!). Cheers!

[@phillipabond8333]

Am sure I once read a quote from Andy Partridge along ghe lines of, 'We're the band that wanted to be punks but our mums would n'g let us.'

[@JimDriver]

Haha! Great quite: thanks for sharing it!

[@donworland]

Subbed, oi, this was grand. I have to look through your channel, I fell in love with the East End 60s and 70s sound years ago and I treasure hearing the stories behind the music. Wow, XTC....oh my gosh, "I can't earn enough for us." made me love "alternative rock" as a kid.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for subscribing! I'm glad to hear that you love the East End sound. There's so much music history to explore, and I'm so happy you’re diving into it with me! Cheers!

[@stevenhorn5106]

I'd liked to have seen one of the most underrated punk bands of the day get a mention, and that's London. Brilliant live band and the one lp and three singles they made were fantastic.

[@andrewharding9011]

One of the best 77 bands by far, the Everyones A Winner single is a classic. How about the Killjoys, Rickie and the Last Days on Earth, plus many more

[@JimDriver]

London were great and I saw them and put them on back in the day. Thanks for adding that. Cheers!

[@eaglebauersrecordcollection]

I got to interview Ari Up for a magazine I used to write for. She was really funny and incredibly friendly. Sad to hear about it when she died….great list here!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks! And thanks too for the great story about Aru. Please keep watching!

[@electricleg207]

Good to see you included The Wasps ,I never saw them but their two tracks on Live At The Vortex are very good.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks! I don't think the live track I included showed how good they were and they really were good. Cheers!

[@angelicupstart1977]

@@electricleg207 Wasps were in London a few years back. A mate put the gig on. They live in Spain now. Just the lead singer left from the old line up.

[@jamesvelazco9837]

You're quite right with mentioning The Slits and XTC, two of my favourites. I can only hope that future generations will be able to be inspired by these two bands as I certainly am. As an uncle I am hoping to stir my niece in that way. Kudos for mentioning The Ruts as well. I grew up listening to punk and reggae/ska, so I definitely need to buy an LP of their to add to my collection. Cheers and all the best to you from the US.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much for those kind words and for your insights. It reminded me that I need to do more about reggae/ska! I think inspiring Music will always stand the test of time. Thanks again! Cheers from Ramsgate!

[@Morphstock]

The Ruts and Alternative TV both great bands. I think the Ruts could have got very big if Malcolm hadn't died. I tend to agree with you about ATV, Mark Perry mostly just did what he wanted and it was never very commercial , but The Image Has Cracked is a great album that often seems to get overlooked.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks! I agree with just abouyt every word you say. I rememebr seeing an interview with Mark back in the day where he said if he realised he was becoming rich and famous, he'd change course and have a rethink! Haha!

[@garrytuer3024]

Just come across u whilst listening to SLF.. Thankyou man

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much! Please keep watching and commenting. We need you!

[@megalimey2423]

Great Vid ,Jim!!! My personal favourite that never made it was ,Red Beat (on Malicious Damage) who had as members two of the Jones brothers, the third brother was ,Howard Jones, who very much did make it.....Well done on the growth of your channel!!! All the best....👍811

[@JimDriver]

Thanks very much for the kind words. I really do appreciate it and thanks for sharing your thoughts to our little "community". Great info, thanks! PS the growth of my channel took me very much by surprise but I'm really enjoying the extra traction and buzz!

[@philipTOMPSETT]

Really enjoyed the vid. Thanks. Great memories of the best times.

[@JimDriver]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for taking the time to say so! Cheers!

[@BadLuckLuke]

Great list, great review, great music!!! Add some Members please in there for the second part, if there ever will be one...

[@JimDriver]

Thanks! Yes, the Members were very close to being included and I'm sure they'll make another video soon. Cheers!

[@stephenst-john]

@@JimDriver Playing Punk rock electric guitar.....This is the sound,,,,,

[@surreygoldprospector576]

@@stephenst-john Stand up and Spit!

[@mj21831]

I was marginally familiar with all of the except the Wasps, but I'm always on the lookout for music I have missed out on. I'll be checking out all of these. Thanks!

[@JimDriver]

Thank YOU for watching and for taking part. Cheers!

[@hugohugo2832]

Ruts - definitely My favourite at the time by miles were The Only Ones

[@JimDriver]

Great band! My "surprising fact" is that Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze played guitar on their demo, but if you;ve already seen my video, you'll know that already. Thanks for sharing that!

[@-Deena.]

I'd argue not really punk? For decades I thought that Peter Perret died of an overdose in the late 80's.. I must have dreamt it!

[@stevejennings899]

I would agree that The Only Ones weren't really Punk. They had a Punk leaning due to Perrett's voice and vocal delivery but the music covered many styles. They were one of my favourite bands at that time and I do agree that they should have been huge but I believe Perrett'.s drug use probably put pay to that.

[@-Deena.]

@@stevejennings899 All very true. Another Girl is a timeless masterpiece.

[@Jolo5305]

I grew up in a small rural town in central Manitoba, population 1800. I first heard XTC in 1981 when a friend played Making Plans for Nigel. I fell in love, and have been listening ever since. I was surprised to hear XTC in your video, as they had a #1 single in 1989, not as punk though.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for telling us about your experiences in semi-rural Manitoba! Please stick around for more of my videos so you'll get to know how my mind works. Cheers!

[@billpearmain9620]

Sorry to contradict you Jim but XTC are huge (in retrospect) Their dear God track propelled them into the stratosphere on the American alt college circuit, people want them back and are obsessive, there is the only if, Mr. Partridge would play on stage again and talk to Mr. Moulding. In my humble opinion Partridge and Moulding are up there with Difford and Tillbrook, Lennon and McCartny Jaggers Richards and the brothers Davies for Englishness. They may not have made it star wise but their shadows are enormous.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Agree with you Partridge and Moulding, the Lennon and McCartney of Swindon!

[@JimDriver]

Haha! I agree: as far as musical greatness goes, there's hardly any greater star than XTC. But as far as KZbin goes… 😄 Thanks for a great comment. Much appreciated, and thanks for watching, too. Cheers!

[@nostro1001]

Yup, I was gonna post that XTC were rather big for not being big & they had commercial success with Making plans, senses working etc. Come to think of it they were always touring and always filled those smaller venues back in the day. I tend to think of them closer to pop than punk. I saw Magazine support them, along with pre supports of supports 😂. I still look back as Magazine being a highlight gig of the era. Cheers!

[@geoffbardell8872]

Great video. Spent many a Sunday night at the Chancellor Hall

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much for the kind words. Chances are we spoke back in the day in the Chancellor hall!

[@geoffbardell8872]

@@JimDriver maybe , though I was only 14 in 1977, though I always got served beer from that point onwards 😊

[@brianstockwell4069]

999

[@JimDriver]

Yes indeed, a great band. Thanks!

[@STEVEJRAD]

@@JimDriver seen 999 last year in sheffield punk weekender and they are still really good live, gonna see them in my hometown Swansea on 0ct 18

[@joepggray1992]

Seconded!! Great band!

[@clydekimsey7503]

I saw them and interviewed them in san Antonio in 1978

[@chuffa1130]

Thank you for sharing! Once again you showcase some excellent bands that slipped by me, one band I rediscovered recently is Magazine, seems like they should have been bigger than they were,

[@JimDriver]

Thank you! I must definitely do something on Magazine soon. They were great! Cheers!

[@shinywarm6906]

The Slits' first Peel session remains the best I've ever heard. When "Cut" finally came out, I couldnt have been more disappointed - good enough, but the edge had vanished in a haze of weed

[@matthiaspfisterer2066]

Absolutely. Same for me. The Peel version of "Vindictive" was breathtaking.

[@JimDriver]

I kind of agree with you, though Cut had some great moments (such as 'Newtown').I always preferred to catch them live and I think Dennis Bovell was almost making a Dennis Bovell album with Cut. Cheers!

[@-Deena.]

Yeah, they never really translated well to vinyl. Waaaay over produced.

[@theanglianflaneurs5857]

Just found you Jim. Your punk vlogs are truly raw, brilliant and inspiring. I love the Vortex and Roxy references and am learning so much from you. Thanks.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for saying so. II do my best to relive moments from my past and hopefully people find them interesting and entertaining. Cheers!

[@conway5481]

So many great bands to pick from. My personal favourites were Stiff Little Fingers, so good. Much better than the other bands that came out of Ireland and made it big

[@JimDriver]

Great choice. SLF were (and are) great! Cheers!

[@sammyd8860]

Yes ! Love SLF. Their Inflammable Material LP is my favourite punk album

[@waynejenkins-gs2fy]

Best band I’ve seen live to this day!

[@joepggray1992]

I'd offer the Undertones, Rudi and (severely underrated) The Outcasts...

[@papajahko7121]

Met SLF when they supported TRB at Edinburgh Odeon…..they wanted a headline gig but didn’t know of any venues in the city…..I suggested Clouds in Tollcross as that was the place where The Clash Damned Ramones etc played with local Punk bands & was a great meeting place for us young Punks………So they took my advice & booked it a few months later !………..unfortunately they played to a near empty hall !…..dunno what happened but I was there & they played a blisteringly good set as expected !…….didn’t meet them that night as I felt I’d given them a bum steer so went into avoidance mode 😂……..kept in touch for a bit after though ( by letter as no email in those days) & there was no hard feelings ! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😎

[@Resurrected-Silverbeard]

Very good, thanks

[@JimDriver]

Very kind of you to say so! Please keep watching and commenting. Cheers!

[@skolsuper8447]

I am not being nasty! But I was an Hardcore Punk, into Crass, DK, Conflict, Discharge, and we used to call them groups you have mentioned 77rs, but now I am older I do respect them. Thankyou Jim.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for saying that and for putting your thoughts forward. Much appreciated. We all change with age, and some of us for the better! 😄 Cheers!

[@lyntonryan4766]

Yeah, Crass Confict Flux of Pink Indians DK I still got the albums, and I still listen week in week out aswell as to ALL PUNK, I will never stop listening to Crass seen them twice in Birmingham along with Flux and Confict brilliant !

[@MrSimbeat]

No worries Jim. I am subscribed to your channel which is brilliant and takes me down memory lane of all the bands I grew up listening to in the 70's! My local band were the K9's who were all from the Reading area. I recall seeing them in the 80's at the Marquee Club backing up the UK Subs!

[@JimDriver]

Cheers! I remember the K9's, mainly because I thought they must have been named after the robot dog in Dr Who. It was all very topical because K9 (the character) first appeared in 1977 with Tom Baker. Thanks for sharing that!

[@EyeSeeProjection]

Alternative TV had a track called "Splitting in two". Which was covered by cult legends The Chameleons at the end of their live shows.

[@JimDriver]

Great info! Thanks for sharing it. Cheers!

[@sawneyhasbean]

I think that their first LP "The Image Has Cracked" ,1978, is one of the most significant albums of the first UK Punk wave...full of ideas! Like Wire and The Fall , ATV really started with a burst of surprising and unconventional creativity.

[@SecretSquirrel99-007]

I'm a big fan of XTC, great video, thanks from New Zealand

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for watching and for the positive comment! Please keep watching!

[@modsnsods7329]

I notice Bazooka Joe on a poster.. I may be wrong but off the top of my head I think Mike "Madness" Barsons brother and Adam Ant were members

[@JimDriver]

Yes, Stuart Goddard was definitely in Bazooka Joe, not sure about the brother. Cheers!

[@modsnsods7329]

@@JimDriver Just checked on tinternet.. He was and Madness covered a track of theirs for One Step Beyond .. Dragged it out of the back of my memory 😎👍.. Great vids of yours by the way 👏👏👏

[@IAMPLEDGE]

@@modsnsods7329 it was Ben Barson I think. And the track you are after is Rockin' in Ab. Also on one of the posters were Potato Five. Their horn section played on some of the post Madness The Madness project. When that finished Lee and Chris from Madness formed The Nutty Boys. Amongst their touring line up was some time Potato 5 vocalist, Spider Johnson, who was back in a reformed Potato 5 in 2023. Spider has also provided backing vocals on the two most recent Madness albums. I sold t shirts at gigs and ran an information service for the Nutty Boys. And if you look at my avatar thingy the poorly drawn (by Davey Jones of Viz Comic fame) picture of me has me wearing a t shirt with The Nutty Boys on it. As if that's not enough Madness links to this video, Segs from The Ruts played guitar on and produced some of Madness' dreadful Dangermen Sessions Volume 1 album. It was a case of great gigs, terribly over produced plastic sounding album. It's the 'Volume 1' bit of that album which fills me with dread. I seriously hope there's never a volume 2.

[@geej12]

Another great video, with top bands from my teenage years. XTC were pretty huge, in an indie sort of way. Didn't know the Wasps- I'll have to do some research. Keep up the good work!

[@JimDriver]

That's very kind of you to say so. Thanks too for watching and joining in. Cheers!

[@MirlitronOne]

Prompted by one of your posters, I would have put The Rezillos in instead of XTC, as, despite the latter's problems, they arguably still made it big.

[@JimDriver]

XTC may have been fairly big but not HUGE, I'd say. Anyway, I'm saving the Rezillos for another video because I have stories about them. Cheers!

[@doctorskull8197]

Love your videos ‼️

[@JimDriver]

Thank you! Very kind of you to say so. I do try my best. Cheers!

[@aidankilmartin2521]

Good stuff Jim ,quite liked XTC though like you said I wouldn't call them Punk but the real contenders in your mix for me was the Ruts ,a cracking band ,it was terrible the way it played out ,it's great Ruts D.C are still strutting their stuff

[@JimDriver]

That's very kind of you to say so. Thanks! I agree with most of what you say. All the bands I mentioned were great and deserved more recognition. Eater was so far ahead of their time, especially when you realise they were barely into their teens, it's frightening. XTC and the Ruts aimed for the stars, but circumstances prevented them from reaching superstardom. I could go on… 🤓

[@KevinOConnor-ji3ug]

@@JimDriver Eater are legends in my neck of the woods...

[@jonobaywindow]

Enjoyed that trip down memory lane Jim. So many other bands in that category too. Anyone remember the Rings I wanna be free?

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for reminding me about the rings! as you say, there was so many fantastic bands around back then, but it's a question of remembering them and finding something interesting to say. Thank you very much for being part of the conversation and I hope you stick around for more. Cheers!

[@johngraham35]

The Stranglers, 999 and Stiff Little Fingers

[@JimDriver]

Three great bands and I've talked about at least one of them in another video. I'm sure I'll get round to the other two before too long. Please keep watching!

[@Saywhatnow-o3w]

SLF are from Belfast which is in Ireland 🇮🇪

[@jimpayne404]

I have to admit to having forgotten the Wasps but liked all of the others. The Slits were one of the best live bands I ever saw. The Ruts early Peel session was stupendous.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks.: I totally agree with all you say! I am with you 100% on The Slits and I was very disappointed that none of the live clips I could find reflected just how amazing they were on stage. Cheers!

[@ianbruce892]

You forgot The Saints!!! 🇦🇺🎸🎸💯😎🤬

[@jlohmann13]

They were from Australia. Lots of great punk bands from that era in the land down under.

[@JimDriver]

I didn't forget them: I was a bit of a fan back then, but they were not British, so I dare not include them (you have no idea how many comments I'd get!)… 😄

[@ianbruce892]

@@JimDriver No worries bud, I forgot you were just doing UK bands 🎸😎🇦🇺

[@JismIsm-en4kz]

They're from Australia

[@Al_is_XXX]

I never rated them, just a pub rock band with Stooges influence

[@neildonaldson7559]

Great historical round-up. People forget that punk back then was not all about strict rules of dress and sound. I think I have ATVs Live at the Rat Club amongst my old vinyl.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and thanks for the kind words. Please keep watching it!

[@phillipabond8333]

Thinking about The Flys now. Only7 minutes in so maybd they're on the list.

[@JimDriver]

I hope you weren't too disappointed but thanks for commenting. Cheers!

[@phillipabond8333]

@@JimDriver Not at all disappointed! Really glad KZbin decided to recommend the channel.

[@lucasroche8639]

The last time the Ruts were on a stage together was 2007 at their last gig but with Henry Rollins doing vocals. The gig was a fund raiser for guitarist Paul Fox's cancer treatment. He sadly died just a few months later. They were great that night.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing that. Sounds like a great occasion even though the resort was very sad. RIP Mr. Fox.

[@ProfHanley]

Ruts4Eva! … XTC had a pretty solid following on college radio in the States … I remember cueing up Nigel followed by the first REM EP back in the day … ‘course nothing really beats the Subs “I Live in a Car” as under-rated punk noise …

[@JimDriver]

Good point: the Subs were a one-off! Thanks for sharing your memories. Please keep watching and adding your stories. I appreciate it. Thanks again!

[@davidwhite4874]

The live "Crash Course" version of ILIAC is particularly good.

[@IAMPLEDGE]

@ProdHanley I have heard tale that when REM were starting out they were covering XTC songs whilst they honed their sound.

[@stephena1639]

Those were the days, after seeing my first gig, The Buzzcocks and Penetration in Cardiff Top Rank 1978 the day after my 16th birthday, all the best punk bands either in Newport Stowaway, Cardiff or Bristol, great time to grow up, i also agree XTC my top three band of all time!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing that. What a great first gig to go to. Please keep watching and commenting!

[@borderlands6606]

The ultimate shoulda-made-it-bigger punk band are surely the Buzzcocks. Within their bubble they were big, but never translated into mass market appeal in spite of some classic pop love songs. Punk was more of an albatross than a dove for Pete Shelley. RIP chuck.

[@60sPsycheFanatic]

They failed because of his monotonous tinny childish voice.

[@mikedavies3361]

I don’t know they seemed to be on TOTPs a lot. More than Crass, that would have been interesting or maybe not.

[@JimDriver]

Indeed. Great point. Cheers!

[@JimDriver]

You make a great point. A lot of people don't;t realise that the difference between a "successful" Punk band like Buzzcocks and a successful Rock band, such as Queen is immense. It's thousands of percent different, although they were all on TOTP lots… Cheers!

[@borderlands6606]

@@JimDriver The difference is bands who are grateful for a record deal, and bands who can say we'll take our custom elsewhere, ta very much, with no shortage of contracts awaiting their signatures. Buzzcocks are one of those highly influential groups on subsequent eras and bands, who never gained enough traction to call the tune (pun intended). Queen on the other hand.. £££

[@antonyware9887]

Great stuff Jim. If you ever do a tour of old London haunts I’m in

[@JimDriver]

Great idea! And have to think about that. Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time to share them. Cheers!

[@Rosetheromani]

What about Essential Logic I really liked them.

[@JimDriver]

Essential Logic were great but never really emblazoned themselves onto my soul like many of the others did. Thanks!

[@patrickryan5570]

I went to see 999 at the Water Rats last Saturday night and they're still brilliant - I've seen the Ruts DC several times in recent years and they still rocking - XTC were an exceptional band and made 14 albums so they certainly left a great legacy - It the great scale of things then I'd say XTC made it despite their record deal contract disputes...

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the great comment. Quite a few people I know went to see 999. The water rats are here. Arthur was on fine form, as usual! Cheers!

[@PriapeBoudu]

Don't get me wrong, but I still think it's a shame that Skrewdriver didn't bang out some more classic 77 punk like they did on their first album instead of ending up like a farce. Good example of how politics can ruin a band.

[@JimDriver]

My own view is that Ian Stewart had a poisoned mind and I can't really listen to anything that cam out of it with any empathy. That's probably my failing… I get where you're coming fromL thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@PriapeBoudu]

@@JimDriver Yeah, it's hard to seperate the man from the music but I feel the same about Michael Jackson these days 😃 Anyway, some more underrated punk bands: The Depressions and The Drones.

[@ackerjawaka1966]

When i was 17 I ended up in strangeways and the guy in the next pad had Screwdriver tattooed on his forehead, i used to wonder why anyone would have that for a tattoo ⚡ I eventually found out it was a band 🍺🍻😜

[@Al_is_XXX]

​@@JimDriverI knew him, and used to bump into him till the mid 80s, after Hail the new dawn came out, he was actually a really good bloke, and you could have a political discussion with him, disagree with him, and still have a good relationship with him. Last time I saw him was when he (and a bunch of his mates) were working at Glastonbury ... No, really...

[@IAMPLEDGE]

@@JimDriver It's not a failing at all. Look at the cunt Morrissey has become and that's before you get into Paul Gadd and Ian Watkins. It is still ok to listen to Steps (if that's your thing), but the Lostprophets and Gary Glitter' music will forever be tainted.

[@davidlombardo3066]

Excellent music history here. Can you share the early days of British Ska and the 2 Tone Movement. Love it. I was Producer/On-Air Host DJ of local radio show in Omaha, Nebra-SKA, USA in the 90's called Jamaica Jammin'. I played Ska,Rock-Steady,Reggae, Rub-a-dub,Blubeat, Dancehall, Juju ( African talking drum),calypso, mento, Rock Acts doing Reggae/Ska infusions like Police, Stones, Clash, et al.

[@JimDriver]

That’s a great idea. I should definitely do a video on those days. Thanks for commenting and for taking part. Cheers!

[@AndrewAHayes]

The Damned could have been epic had they taken one of the big money offers that were on the table, instead they wanted to go with an independent so they had more control, and they chose Stiff Records and were the first of the so called punk bands to release a single and an album and tour the states, they would have been better off with a major label, instead they went from one skint independent to another, they released great singles and albums but the promotion was lack lustre, despite this they charted quite high.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing those thoughts. Not sure I agree with everything you say. My perception was that Stiff were superb marketers, whereas the big labels only had ideas that involved lots of music press advertising and I remember their acts being very critical of the way they were promoted. I think the direction the Damned took was just about right.: theyw= were making money and having fun. But your perception could well be right! Cheers!

[@MrAladdino]

The Damned were , are and will be epic!!!

[@urbandreamer5797]

Weren't the Damned on MCA Records for one album ?

[@bobgreen623]

I just caught my old band name on that Vortex ad for the Wasps! We were the eternal also-rans and support band...

[@JimDriver]

Ha ha ha! Quite a lot of bands were but I didn’t make them any worse than the ones who made it! Thanks for taking part. Cheers!

[@bobgreen8142]

​@JimDriver over the years I saw many bands who didn't make it, and as you rightly say some of them were great. I think sometimes it's a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

[@Ian-does-noise]

The Punk bands I was in (in 1977) supported XTC, I'm from Swindon too. Jim, regarding their manager, he was without doubt the biggest arsehole i've ever met in the music business, & i've been gigging for 47 years. They were a great band, it's a shame that just as they were about to become big stars, Andy had his breakdown.

[@FatpunkSnr]

XTC never a punk band a successful art project band with some great hits

[@dloorkour1256]

@@FatpunkSnr XTC is Brilliant pop, I say

[@jamesdean1143]

You are a fascinating source of UK music during the 1970’s and 1980’s Have you ever thought of writing a book ?

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much for saying so: I really do appreciate your support. I did contemplate writing in a book but I think instead I am making KZbin videos. It's 2024 and all that. Cheers!

[@VincentRE79]

How about Sham 69?

[@FFM0594]

Don't worry, baby, I'm coming back for you!

[@andrewharding9011]

Jimmy was a bit of a tosser, that dancing vid of him is excruciatingly bad

[@electricleg207]

Have you been let out of Borstal early due to overcrowding?

[@JimDriver]

Yeah, good call but I'm not sure they would have been able to appeal to a wider audience in order to become HUGE. Cheers!

[@VincentRE79]

@@andrewharding9011I met him a couple of times, absolutely nothing like the person he came across as. He was a Guardian reading intellectual.

[@davestinson2323]

Totally agree with you on the Ruts and loved ATV too ( action time and Vision) classic track that . XTC yeah they were ok. The wasps I never got to hear but that clip you shown was pretty good . Eater was a great band . Thanks for the video brought some great memories back .

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching. I hope you're going to stick with this channel and keep participating in our little community. Cheers!

[@nicolagiarrizzo]

Why not Subway Sect?

[@JimDriver]

This is just one video. So many bands, so little time… 😄 I'm communicating with Vic… Thanks for commenting. Cheers!

[@jeffmurray6219]

I played football in the early 80s with a lad you had been the guitarist in Eater, long time, ago but he was a great lad and a good footballer.

[@JimDriver]

Great story! Thanks for sharing it and please keep watching. Cheers!

[@scottwallace5180]

I was thinking you missed The Fall but they could be post punk

[@JimDriver]

Yes, although The Fall started in Manchester in 1976 or 1977, they only really came into my radar in the 1980s. They definitely deserve a video of their own! Cheers!

[@justynmatlock8873]

To be fair, Mark E. Smith hated people calling The Fall 'Punk'.

[@scottwallace5180]

@JimDriver definitely would love to see it

[@JoeMarchi]

Great share. Had forgotten about the Wasps

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!

[@orthodoxblue7252]

What about The Lurkers?

[@Steve-j7z]

Pub rock, did well to be as big as they were. Fulham Fallout was good back in the day but never ground breaking if we're honest.

[@Morphstock]

Great band, underated.

[@JimDriver]

I used to hang out with The Lurkers back in the day and they drank in the pub I used to promote in (The Cock, North End Road, Fulham) and I booked them for several gigs, but I'm pretty sure even they didn't expect to be HUGE, up there with the Stones and Elton John (God forbid!!). Thanks for taking part. Cheers!

[@LongGone77]

I LOVE the Lurkers and one of my fav UK punk acts..... but if we're being honest, there's nothing about them that should've been huge. lol. They were destined to be an obscure punk act from the beginning.

[@JimDriver]

@@LongGone77 The Lurkers were great but I agree totally with what you say. I can remember a very drunken session with them in the public bar of the Railway Tavern in Chelmsford (drinking not playing!). I have no idea what circumstances took us there but I remember Esso and Plug laughing at a joke Les, the landlord told. Cheers!

[@dwsippel]

The Slits were a great band, big fan of all band members. Especially love Viv Albertine. Her book Clothes, Clothes, Clothes, Music, Music, Music, Boys, Boys, Boys is one of my favorite punk books, and musician memoirs period.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, the slits certainly had something about them that at the time especially was very exciting. I may be too old to appreciate it now but I'm not sure there's anything like it these days. Thanks for commenting and for taking the time to watch. Please stay on board!

[@EpicCBgamerOfficial]

Swell Maps ?!? Dancing Did ???

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for commenting. Great calls but HUGE?! Personally, I don't think so but your opinion is as valid as mine! Cheers!

[@AbnerAgogo]

Yes! The Swell Maps, my second favorite brit punk band besides the Fall. So glad you mentioned them!

[@MakoyUnggoy]

"Part time punks", TV personalities, what a great forgotten tune...I got that on a mixed punk tape free with NME a million years ago, there were so many great songs I'd never heard before until then!

[@JimDriver]

I'm always amazed and grateful that music can transport us back in time! I found many of my all-time favourite tracks on mixtapes and those weird little compilations you used to get back then. Cheers!

[@VinMartinelli]

Great videos !! It is hearing from people like you that makes KZbin valuable.... Do you remember a band called Menace

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time to comment. Yes, I do remember Menace though not well, I'm afraid. It was a while ago! Cheers!

[@ackerjawaka1966]

Oh shit I forgot about them 😜 I thank you ♠️

[@angelicupstart1977]

@@VinMartinelli Menace still playing today, all over.

[@laurieharper1526]

Hi Jim. Interesting roundup. I agree with you about XTC. Great musicians and really original ideas. They could really do the business live and didn't sound like anyone else.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, indeed. A great band. Cheers!

[@andrewcowie4005]

No mention of X ray spex, the Boys, Patrick Fitzgerald,

[@sturner80]

I saw Patrick Fitzgerald in early 1979 . Dire .

[@gaycha6589]

Safety pin stuck in my heart.

[@JimDriver]

No, well spotted. There are a lot more I didn't mention too. I've got to be selective and with all the best will in the world, I could never see Patrick selling out stadiums and hosting his own BBC-1 prime time poetry show. I'll make other videos about great talents but that was about Punk bands who could have been HUGE> Cheers!

[@philhawley1219]

The Boys? I've got two of their albums. Not heard them for 25 years or more so I must dive in to my cellar of vinyl and listen to them again. I do remember there was a beautiful romantic love song called "You kiss like a nun". While I'm at it Motorhead and a few others might get a spin on my gramophone. OK Pop pickers!

[@SeanHowarth-f3i]

Hello matey, you put bands on at the Robey and many moons ago I saw Ug & The Cavemen there so I was wondering if you've got anything on the Psychobilly scene of the time 👍

[@JimDriver]

Cheers! For clarity, I helped Malcolm Joe and a guy called John set up the Robbie and I booked nights there in the first few years. When I was at the cricketers, Malcolm and I would often share band who were on tour. As regards rockabilly and psychobilly, I booked the odd band but because I wasn't really part of the scene people who were preferred to go to venues that were more specialist, and so it didn't really work very well Thanks for commenting and I hope you keep watching!

[@bobikdylan]

I thought you might include Penetration, who were electric live. Saw them at the Marquee in 78, at the height of the disgusting spitting fad. Pauline Murray threatened to walk off stage if it didn't stop. I remember thinking I would walk off anyway. That really was revolting.

[@JimDriver]

Penetration were definitely on my long-list and I totally agree with her (and you!) about the spitting. Yuk!

[@derosabike]

I saw them with The Fall, Punishment of Luxury and Ed Banger at the Lyceum in Aug 78. I remember The Fall and Penetration being excellent -

[@-Deena.]

They were indeed.