On this week’s episode we return to 70s for the first of a mini-series on post-punk. A historical period, an unhelpful genre descriptor, a structure of feeling? Whatever it is, the guitar bands of the UK and NYC in 1978 were creating some serious music. Jeremy and Tim discuss where the term came from, what exactly the ‘punk’ it was following was, and some the music’s early proponents. With reference to The Slits, Wire, Talking Heads and more, we hear about the Hacienda, John Peel, Modernism and Mark E Smith. The guys unpack how funk and reggae were influencing bands like The Contortions in their experimentation with rhythm, visit the CBGB club in New York, and dispute received ideas about the division between punk and disco. Finally, we introduce a major character in out story over the coming months: Arthur Russell.

Tracklist:

The Slits - New Town (John Peel Session)

Wire - I Am the Fly

The Fall - Stepping Out

Talking Heads - Tentative Decisions

The Contortions - I Can’t Stand Myself 

Books:

Simon Reynolds - Rip It Up and Start Again

John Savage - ‘The New Musick’ in Time Travel