“Summer Cannibals”, Patti Smith

This way: Summer Cannibals

“Summer Cannibals”, Patti Smith. Does she need an introduction? One of the founders of the New York Punk scene at CBGBs. She has the distinction of putting out an LP in 1975, predating even the Ramones. Smith has written a boat load of great songs. This is from the Gone Again album of 1996. She continues to bring a great poetic air to the ruff world of Punk. Her appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1976 was life changing for me.

[Spotify] Summer Cannibals

“Tinseltown Swimming in Blood”, Destroyer

This way: Tinseltown Swimming in Blood

Swimming in blood, Destroyer? No it’s not the death metal you were hoping for. Destroyer is a Canadian rock band from Vancouver and is the work of singer-songwriter Dan Bejar. In Bejar's words, “That's kind of my goal: to start from scratch every time.” So his records are often eclectic. His music is often filled with great lyrics. This is from his 12th LP.

[Spotify] Tinseltown Swimming in Blood

“Sister Europe”, The Psychedelic Furs

The Psychedelic Furs

This way: Sister Europe

The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band from London. Led by singer Richard Butler and his brother Tim Butler on bass guitar. The Psychedelic Furs walk this fine line between sincere and sarcastic. Are they having us on? I could never tell. They often put the saxophone to good uses shown here. This is from there debut LP from 1980. They put out 7 solid albums over the course of their career.


[Spotify] Sister Europe

[Apple Music] Sister Europe

“Roadrunner”, The Modern Lovers

“Roadrunner”, The Modern Lovers. Roadrunner from 1976 has reached the highest achievement possible for a rock and roll song. The Modern Lovers was an American rock band led by Jonathan Richman in the 1970s and 1980s. The original band existed from 1970 to 1974 but their recordings were not released until 1976 or later. It featured Richman and bassist Ernie Brooks with drummer David Robinson (later of The Cars) and keyboardist Jerry Harrison (later of Talking Heads). Richman grew up in Natick, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, and began playing guitar and writing songs in his mid teens, first performing solo in public in 1967. This song accurately taps into those terrible terrific feelings of youth, rock and roll and driving in my car.


This way:  Roadrunner

Spotify: Roadrunner