Friday, December 18, 2009

So Very Much Punk... So Little Time

Many, many changes made. I decided to cut out all of the proto-punk bands; MC5, the New York Dolls, the Dictators, and others. I really like the Dictators, so it was hard to make that decision. The resulting radio station sounds better (more punk) so it was definitely the right decision. Those bands still get played occasionally - a result of Pandora's heuristics of playing similar music. Bonus for me.

I do like Faith No More, and I consider them to be punk. Many bands, unfortunately, evolve to different musical styles and genres during their lifetimes. Pink Flag, the Mekons, X, Glenn Danzig over his career, and I have to include FNM. Pandora kept playing cuts from the Angel Dust album, which I found very disappointing. So they had to go. Can't have that crap on my punk radio station.

Also dropped The Donnas. They aren't a bad band, and I sorta like them. While their names are inspired by the Ramones (their 'band' names are all 'Donna' ) they mostly play party-themed Glam Rock. They're more like Kiss than the Ramones. Out they go.

I've added a number of excellent bands in their places. Bands that I had never heard of, like the Adverts, the Black Halos, the Briefs, the Drones, the Queers, and the Ruts by a suggestion from Jim Zito. Best of all I've added a  few Riot Grrrrl bands, or just female punk bands. Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Jack Killed Jill... , Red Aunts, and the Hedrons. I am *very* impressed by the Hedrons. This is why I love Pandora radio - there is a shocking amount of great talent out there that are getting zero recognition, and you just never hear of them through mainstream outlets.

Another band that I intentionally added was the New York Hardcore band Agnostic Front. Naturally, Pandora is playing more hardcore along with AF and the Exploited. I am trying to limit how much hardcore is being played. I think its important to have hardcore, especially some of the early groups that were hardcore innovators, but I also don't want to lose the focus on punk rock.

As always, comments and suggestions are welcome. Until then, pogo 'til ya puke!