Jam – Eton Rifles – Something Else 1979

In 1978 The Clash were probably the most important band of their generation; and with the release of their second album, Give ‘em Enough Rope, had managed to survive punk and move on.

The second album is too often dismissed or criticised for being over produced, rushed and not as good as their debut.  Personally, I think its better.

Tommy Gun was one of the singles taken from the album.  Here The Clash perform live, as always, on BBC tv in 1978.  I remember watching it at the time and thinking it was the best thing I had ever heard The Clash perform.  The raw power and aggression omitted from our tiny tv set was overwhelming.

In 1979 I heard Joy Division on John Peel. I liked them but that’s a strong as i can say, if I’m being honest. But then I saw Joy Division perform two songs on the early evening BBC youth culture programme (there was plenty of these programmes back then!) She’s Lost Control and Transmission.

From the humour of Manchester’s wonderful punk-poet John Cooper-Clarke reading verse while walking through a shopping centre, it was cut straight back to the studio and Peter Hook’s throbbing bassline introduction to their single, Transmission.

It is rare that a tv performance stirs up such emotions, as this did for me and countless friends and other teenagers of my generation. For those unfortunate enough not to have witnessed a Joy Division live experience, this was and still is a lasting memory I shall never forget.

The intensity of the music and Ian Curtis’ mad-eyed screaming stare is a truly awesome and powerful piece of post-punk music. Dance dance dance to the radio, indeed.

Before watching this I was still punk. Post-Transmission, I was something else.