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One of punk rock’s original goals was “the destruction of rock ‘n’ roll.” While that didn’t happen, most early punk musicians were rock fans, in spite of their espoused rhetoric. Hence why most early pogo soundtracks were basically Chuck Berry with a Marshall amp. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But this is hardly […]

Since the world first became aware that there is such a thing as punk, there’s been a nonstop argument about its birthplace. The clueless mainstream media reported for years that it began in England, simply because the Sex Pistols’ snarl was more extreme. Which royally pissed off New York City, the first place to essentially […]

In his roles as vocalist/guitarist/chief songwriter of iconic American new-wave group the Cars, Ric Ocasek brought pop hooks, futuristic sheen and firepower to an American rock scene whose entire goal seemed to be based on celebrating the mediocre. Ocasek passed away yesterday in his Manhattan home at the age of 75, leaving seven albums with […]