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New York Rocker

New York Rocker

New York Rocker was a new wave rock magazine founded by writer Alan Betrock in 1976. Alan left the magazine in 1978, and Andy Schwartz took over as editor until it ceased publication in 1982. A total of 54 issues were published in that period. An attempt to revive the title in 1984 was shortlived. Read Jesse Jarnow's 2012 essay on the Rocker here.

182 articles

List of articles in the library

By date | By artist | Most recently added

Mumps ...And Other Childhood Diseases

Profile by Lisa Persky, New York Rocker, February 1976

IN THE MUSIC biz, even on the chic Bowery, many a band are slain in the taking. An attempt on the life of one band ...

Television: Tom Verlaine

Interview by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, February 1976

I WAS BORN in Morristown, New Jersey. Actually I was born in the hospital there but I spent the first few years in this lake ...

The Hollywood Stars, The New Order (US), Iggy Pop, The Runaways: The L.A. Rock Explosion

Overview by Phast Phreddie Patterson, New York Rocker, February 1976

IN THE BEGINNING... ...

The Ramones

Essay by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, February 1976

WHEN I THINK back a few years, I'm really amazed at how well certain records sold. I'm talking about basic rock 'n' roll records, or ...

The Miamis: Heads and Tales

Profile and Interview by Lisa Jane Persky, New York Rocker, March 1976

IN SPITE OF the following reputation, mainly one of an uncommon interest in the female species and predicted guano in the living room, one finds ...

The Nerves

Interview by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, March 1976

NORMALCY FADES into obscurity as insurgents seek deliverance. Abruptly the backbeat returns. Then it all seems so clear. The Nerves are at one with the ...

Suicide

Interview by Lisa Jane Persky, New York Rocker, May 1976

Suicide Note: "The thought of suicide is a great consolation; with the help of it, one has got through many a bad night."– F. Nietzsche ...

The Ramones: Are the Ramones, or Is the Ramone?

Interview by Lisa Jane Persky, New York Rocker, September 1976

PUNK IS A word described in many dictionaries as that which is used to light fireworks; and in this case it is. Eager to pin ...

ABBA: AB's ABC's of ABBA

Profile by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, December 1976

AT FIRST glance, Abba appears on the horizon as A Bunch of Beautiful Aryans. Others, less generous, label their rise to prominence as Another Banal ...

Jonathan Richman: Town Hall, New York NY

Live Review by Lisa Persky, New York Rocker, December 1976

AFTER AN almost unmentionable flight into vaudeville with the opening acts (a magician and a juggler) who suffered limitless abuse from the audience, Jonathan Richman ...

The Clash, Tapper Zukie: London/The Clash

Profile and Interview by Kris Needs, New York Rocker, December 1976

"WE'RE ONE up the arse for the rich, established groups... There's so many useless bands around it's not even worth naming any." ...

Richard Hell, Patti Smith, Television: Victor Bockris goes to the Airport with Robert Mapplethorpe

Interview by Victor Bockris, New York Rocker, December 1976

SATURDAY OCTOBER 16th 2P.M. Robert Mapplethorpe is going to California on a T.W.A. flight. I am arriving at his fifth floor Bond Street studio loft ...

Eddie & The Hot Rods, Mink DeVille: Mink DeVille: Loeb Student Center, NYC/Eddie & the Hot Rods: Capitol, New Jersey

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, February 1977

DOES ANYBODY out there remember John Hammond? He was born the son of a Very Big Man in the record business but it has never ...

The Sex Pistols, Television: Pimp-Rock?

Comment by Lisa Jane Persky, New York Rocker, June 1977

EVERYTHING happens to us all so quickly these days that even before something is completed, it is dated, labels must be attached for definition and ...

The Sex Pistols: Sex Pistols Squirt Flood Gush

Interview by Kris Needs, New York Rocker, July 1977

AFTER MONTHS of concentrated opposition from about every form of authority under the sun, The Sex Pistols are finally winning. Everybody from record companies to ...

AC/DC Hit California

Report and Interview by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, November 1977

AC/DC PLAYED their West Coast debut at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles, with the club fully living up to its legend ...

Boyfriends, The (US): The Boyfriends: CBGB's, New York NY

Live Review by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, November 1977

THE BOYFRIENDS got it. Only they don't know it. ...

The Fleshtones: Max's Kansas City, New York NY

Live Review by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, November 1977

THE FLESHTONES at The Village Gate were fun (not funny), like somewhat talented High Schoolers of the past apeing the newest sounds of the Shadows, ...

The Jam: Environmental Music

Profile and Interview by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, November 1977

LAST MONTH the Jam travelled to America for a short promotional tour, playing dates in established new wave centers, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and ...

The Ramones: Rockets Or Rubberbands?

Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, November 1977

I. Punk rock’s charter band will be your mirror. ...

The Dils: West Coast Waves: The Dils

Interview by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, November 1977

THE ENGLISH NEW WAVE appears to be firmly rooted in the politics of frustration. It should be no shock that the acutely class-conscious British have ...

The Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman: Jonathan Richman: A Roadrunner For Your Love


Interview by Craig Zeller, New York Rocker, February 1978

I'M STRAIGHT and I used to be in love with Jonathan Richman. Don't get me wrong: I still like him a helluva lot; whether he's ...

The Sex Pistols: Sex Pistols: Tour Notes

Report by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, February 1978

In case you were incommunicado for the last month, the much-ballyhooed Sex Pistols American tour has come and gone. ...

The Nuns: Whisky a Go Go, L.A.

Live Review by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, February 1978

SOMEHOW THE NUNS manage to transcend the traditionally (like in "traditionally moronic") rivalry between San Francisco and LA. Perhaps that’s because the Nuns are as ...

Boomtown Rats: Boomtown Rat: A Cup of Instant with Modest Bob Geldof

Interview by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, April 1978

THE LINE IN front of the 100 Club snaked endlessly down Oxford Street. The idea of standing on it — and for a Rich Kids ...

Magazine Article!

Interview by Jon Savage, New York Rocker, April 1978

"Well I say what I mean/I say what comes to my mind" – 'Boredom' "Whatever makes me tick/It takes away my concentration" – 'Breakdown' ...

Pere Ubu: CBGB's, New York NY

Live Review by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, April 1978

THIS EVENING at CBGB's was a showcase for two bands newly signed to recording contracts by Blank Records. ...

Generation X: Idol With The Golden Head: Generation X's Billy Idol

Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, July 1978

RG: What did you do last night? BI: Oh, I went to some disco thing. ...

James Chance & the Contortions, DNA, Mars, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks: Nobody Waved Goodbye: Bands At Artists Space

Report by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, July 1978

"He's in love with a rock 'n'roll world..." — 'Janie Jones', The Clash ...

Talking Heads: More Songs About Buildings and Food

Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, July 1978

Head and Shoulders Above ...

Lydia Lunch, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks: Teenage Jesus and the Jerks: Out To Lunch

Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, July 1978

A Dialogue between Roy Trakin and Lydia Lunch of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks ...

The Cramps, The Mutants: The Cramps/The Mutants: Napa State Hospital, Napa CA

Live Review by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, July 1978

"LET'S DRIVE UP to the funny farm. The Cramps and Mutants are doin' a concert for the nuts; should be lotsa yuks." I wanna take ...

The Idols, New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers: The Jerry Nolan Story!!

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, July 1978

JERRY NOLAN is 32 years old. He has been in the New York Dolls and the Heartbreakers. He has made three albums which did not ...

Wire: News on the Wire

Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, July 1978

WIRE. THE name denotes something tight, something along which electricity buzzes and communication passes. In an English music scene full of brash, jokey band names (Sex ...

The Ramones: Road To Ruin: One Small Step For Man, One Giant Step For The Ramones

Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, September 1978

AS THE NEW WAVE bubble bursts and explodes into a thousand tiny particles, the Ramones remain as true survivors, one of few punk acts to ...

Blondie: Parallel Lines (Chrysalis)

Review by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, September 1978

BLONDIE IS NOT a fun group and the age of innocence is over. True or False? I'm reviewing Side Two first because no side was ...

Blondie, Rick Derringer, Suzi Quatro, Smokie: Mike Chapman: Producer

Interview by Harold Bronson, New York Rocker, September 1978

PRODUCER MIKE Chapman, once removed from his baronial digs in the hillier regions of Beverly Hills and ensconced in the recording studio, sheds his bemused ...

New Wave Goodbye? Some Thoughts On The Economic State Of The New Wave Industry In America

Overview by Greg Shaw, New York Rocker, September 1978

LET ME BEGIN by saying that I’ve written many articles on New Wave, most of which have dealt with the exciting possibilities of making permanent ...

Patti Smith Group: Central Park, New York NY

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, September 1978

SHE MAY be a fool, but she's our fool. ("You mean your fool," said one friend.) ...

The Dictators: Rock'n'Roll Made Me A Mensch: The Dictators Reach Maturity

Profile and Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, September 1978

The IntroductionWHEN THE Dictators proudly declared themselves the "next big thing" on their rock ‘n’ roll-icking debut album Go Girl Crazy!, they were not, as ...

Television (1974-1978)

Obituary by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, September 1978

SO TELEVISION has broken up and most people want to know why. ...

The Cars: The Bottom Line, New York

Live Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, September 1978

ONE THE face of it, one is forced to admit that the Cars, Boston’s latest pop machine, are an entirely unwelcome corruption of any new ...

The Flamin' Groovies: The Return of the Flamin' Groovies

Report and Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, September 1978

IT ALL BEGAN on a slow summer afternoon with a frantic phone call from Miriam Linna. The Flamin' Groovies (or someone speaking for them, perhaps ...

Patti Smith: Cowboy Mouth, Rock & Roll Theater Company: Club 57, New York NY

Live Review by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, November 1978

WHEN CAVALE, the Patti Smith-styled character in this play, tries to explain to her boyfriend Slim what rock 'n' roll is and what it means ...

Television: Changing Channels: Television Breakup

Report and Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, November 1978

I FOUND OUT, in attempting to sift through the ashes of Television's demise, that it was almost as unpleasant and impossible a situation as investigating ...

John Cale, Robert Gordon, Mickey Jupp, The Sex Pistols, Chris Spedding, The Vibrators: Have Guitar, Will Travel: Chris Spedding

Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, November 1978

CHRIS SPEDDING — the name that launched a thousand session credits. He's played guitar for everyone from John Cale to the Wombles, including Bryan Ferry, ...

Crime: Prime Time for Crime

Profile and Interview by Michael Goldberg, New York Rocker, November 1978

SAN FRANCISCO – The girl in the black leather jacket with the safety pin through the collar, the tight black jeans, silver pumps, crewcut, and ...

Regina Richards and Red Hot: Regina Richards

Profile and Interview by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, November 1978

THERE'S SOMETHING about this Regina Richards that keeps you coming back for more. You get the feeling that no matter what surrounds her, she's heading ...

The Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious: Sid and Nancy

Comment by uncredited writer, New York Rocker, November 1978

WHAT MORE can we add to the pathetic, sordid tale of Nancy Spungen and Sid Vicious? ...

The Fleshtones: The "American Sound" of the Fleshtones

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, November 1978

WHAT'S SO cool about the Fleshtones? Nothing. That's what's so cool about the Fleshtones. They could be anybody. They are anybody: the boys next door or the ...

The B-52s: CBGB, New York NY

Live Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, November 1978

CHARLEY THE Soundman huddled behind his sacred mixing board and coolly surveyed the growing house. Packed literally to the rafters, the overflow crowd was an ...

Phil Seymour, Dwight Twilley: 24 Hours From Tulsa: Phil Seymour Speaks... And Twilley Don't Mind

Interview by Gary Sperrazza!, New York Rocker, January 1979

"EVERYTHING WE recorded was part of a definite pop concept with planned goals. The Twilley Band was THE thing." That's Phil Seymour talking about the ...

Blondie, Moon Martin: My Father's Place, New York NY

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, January 1979

STANDING MAYBE 5'7" high, blond hair surrounding a Paul Kantner-shaped face framed by a pair of oversized red-plastic-framed glasses, John "Moon" Martin is about the ...

Devo: Where the Rubber met the Road

Report by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, January 1979

"Louis bided his time, isolating Spain diplomatically, and acquainting his fellow rulers with the term devolution." — Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. VI, p. 1093 ...

Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels: Mitch Ryder: Mitch's Back!

Profile by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, January 1979

...and Andy Takes a Ride ...

James Chance, James White and The Blacks: Q: Why Interview James Chance? A: Because He's There

Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, January 1979

Roy Trakin (Who Really Wants to Know) Talks to James Chance (Who Isn't Telling) ...

The Clash: Give 'Em Enough Rope (Epic)

Review by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, January 1979

OKAY, SO I'M supposed to write this treatise on the new, long-delayed, Clash album — a task I'm quite looking forward to since I reckon ...

James Chance & the Contortions, DNA, Mars, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks: Various Artists: No New York (Antilles)

Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, January 1979

GETTING TO NO YOU: NO NEW YORK ON RECORD ...

Elvis Costello: Armed and Dangerous: The Rise of Elvis Costello

Profile by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, February 1979

Oh, I just don't know where to begin... ...

Public Image Ltd.: Public Image Ltd. (Virgin)

Review by Kris Needs, New York Rocker, February 1979

THE EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED debut offering by Public Image Ltd. landed like a depth charge in the mire of self-congratulatory entrenchment that unfortunately bogs down much of ...

Wreckless Eric

Report and Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, February 1979

ANY OVERVIEW OF THE current Stiff Records roster must sometimes feel like a long look into a funhouse mirror. There's Lene Lovitch, the ersatz Eurovision ...

The Clash, Bo Diddley, Pearl Harbour & The Explosions: The Clash, Bo Diddley,Pearl Harbor & The Explosions: Community Theater, Berkeley CA

Live Review by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, April 1979

EXCEPT FOR the fact that they're probably the best performing band around, there's something almost superfluous to Clashness about the band's shows. Wait a minute ...

The Clash, Bo Diddley: The Palladium, New York NY

Live Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, April 1979

DON'T EXPECT the back-Clash to start here. Since the Clash's smashingly successful Palladium debut, I have had some second thoughts, but none of these contradict ...

The Clash: The Fillmore, San Francisco

Live Review by Howie Klein, New York Rocker, April 1979

EXCEPT FOR THE fact that they're probably the best performing band around, there's something almost superfluous to Clashness about the band's shows. Wait a minute ...

James Chance & the Contortions, James White and The Blacks: The Contortions, James White & the Blacks, Reasons, Information: Club 57, New York NY

Live Review by Tim Page, New York Rocker, April 1979

THE CLUB 57 is located in the Irving Plaza, an aging downtown vaudeville hall that manages to combine the worst features of a European grand ...

The Knack: Starwood, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Don Waller, New York Rocker, April 1979

ONCE UPON a time, The Knack was a movie starring (I believe) Michael Caine and Rita Tushingham. Set in swinging London, the plot revolved around ...

The B-52s: Update: The B-52s

Profile and Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, April 1979

ARE THE B-52s now America's most popular un­signed "new wave" band? Not on the West Coast perhaps, where the group has yet to tour and ...

The Boy Looked At Johnny by Tony Parsons and Julie Burchill (Pluto Press)

Book Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, June 1979

 "Hell hath no snapping fury like an angry chipmunk." —Jesus The Good Book "I live on hate more than noodles." —Louis Ferdinand Celine Castle To Castle ...

Patti Smith: The Patti Smith Group

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, June 1979

A WAS LOST. He pulled the Toyota over to the curb, parked, and flicked on the overhead light to check his road map. Should he ...

The Police: Bottom Line, New York

Live Review by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, June 1979

BACK IN OCTOBER, when the Police made their American debut at CBGB's, their sets were among the least-attended weekend shows that club had seen for ...

David Bowie: From Low to Lodger

Retrospective by Paul Yamada, New York Rocker, July 1979

THE LAST TWO studio LPs by David Bowie seem to make up some sort of unit. The release of a third album in collaboration with ...

Iron City Houserockers: Parkway Tavern, Pittsburgh

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, July 1979

HUH? ...

Theoretical Girls: Jeffrey Lohn: Thoughts of a Theoretical Girl

Interview by Tim Page, New York Rocker, July 1979

"GOD, I HATE fashion! It destroys everything!" We're sitting in the Spring Street Bar, Jeffrey Lohn and I, on a polluted spring day. The boomtown ...

Dyan Diamond, Kim Fowley, Helen Reddy: Kim Fowley: Prince Of Dog Food

Profile and Interview by Radio Pete, New York Rocker, July 1979

KIM FOWLEY has been called everything from "a rancid pimp" to "an egomaniac hustler who pushes shit groups out of the toilets of pop music." ...

Penetration

Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, July 1979

AS I SET out to cover Penetration, the omens were auspicious. ...

Philip Glass: Phillip Glass: Einstein On the Beach (Tomato)

Review by Tim Page, New York Rocker, July 1979

IN MY opinion, Philip Glass is one of the two or three most interesting musicians alive today. Along with fellow composer Steve Reich, he has ...

The Cars: Benevolent Brain Behind the Cars

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, July 1979

AFTER THE FIRST 500,000 albums, you kind of stop rooting for a band. It's a familiar feeling of having discovered something ahead of the pack, ...

Pearl Harbour & The Explosions: The Sophisticated Boom-Boom of Pearl Harbor & the Explosions

Profile by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, July 1979

IN MAY 1966 my fifth grade English teacher, Ms. Sarah Graufmann (hi, Sarah!), asked that the class write down the place they would most like ...

Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt: Oblique Strategies

Review by Howard Wuelfing, New York Rocker, August 1979

DON'T BE AFRAID OF CLICHÉS ...

James Chance, James White and The Blacks: James Chance: Contortions Crack Up

Interview by Tim Page, New York Rocker, August 1979

"Sick of being on the losing end/Tired of playing the obliging friend..." ...

Blondie: Update Blondie

Report by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, August 1979

JUST A SCANT eight months ago, Blondie the group was seemingly nowhere. Their third album (and second for Chrysalis), Parallel Lines, was languishing in the ...

Alex Chilton, The Cramps, Tav Falco's Panther Burns: The Cramps' Big Break

Report and Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, September 1979

"Give Me Memphis, Tennessee..." ...

The Dead Boys, Stiv Bators: The Resurrection of Stiv Bators

Report and Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, September 1979

STIV BATORS is just about the easiest interviewee I've ever met. Just push "Record" and he'll talk for hours about anything that might make good ...

Tom Verlaine Without TV: The New Season

Review and Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, September 1979

THE BREAK-UP of a band, in the wake of our experience with the Beatles and countless others, should no longer be a traumatic event, but ...

The Specials: A/K/A The Specials

Interview by Deanne Pearson, New York Rocker, October 1979

THE SPECIALS A.K.A., a.k.a. the Specials. They are contracted under both names, adding to the confusion already created by billings under one name or the ...

Snakefinger: Boarding House, San Francisco CA

Live Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, November 1979

PHILIP "SNAKEFINGER" Lithman is probably best known as a member of the Resident family. As such, he adheres to what seems to be one of ...

The Clash, Sam & Dave, The Undertones: The Clash/Undertones/Sam & Dave: The Palladium, NYC

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, November 1979

THIS REVIEW is being turned in weeks late, and I know why. After all these years and all these bands, all the disappointing second albums ...

Blondie: Eat To The Beat (Chrysalis)

Review by J.D. Considine, New York Rocker, December 1979

AMERICA, AS you might expect of any pop-oriented, media-saturated culture, has a disturbing tendency to take its sexual images literally. Lauren Hutton and Cheryl Tiegs ...

Richard Lloyd: Alchemy (Elektra)

Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, December 1979

SO YOU thought Television was one of the great American bands, and you sighed when they split up last year. But you were pleasantly surprised ...

The Clash: London Calling (Epic)

Review by Kris Needs, New York Rocker, December 1979

A DOUBLE album from the Clash, two discs for the price of one — but that's not the only surprise. Because the speed-rush buzzsaw roar ...

Iggy Pop: The Discreet Charm of Iggy Pop

Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, December 1979

Mr. and Mrs. Osterberg's favorite (and only) son learns 'tis better to consume than to be consumed, or "They call me Mister Pop." ...

NRBQ: Desperados, Washington DC

Live Review by Paul Yamada, New York Rocker, January 1980

AFTER A quarter-century of rock 'n' roll, it should be obvious that the idiom (if it can be classed as such) must be maintained by ...

14 Karat Soul: Sister Suzie Cinema Strikes 14 Karat Soul

Report by Don Waller, New York Rocker, 14 January 1980

The whole world is a stage And everybody's playing a part The stage is set, the curtain goes up The scene is a broken ...

Gang War, Richard Lloyd: Heat, New York NY

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, February 1980

WITH HIS bluish pallor and chopped fringe of hair, Wayne Kramer looks like an ex-con. But in his best moments with Gang War, he plays ...

The Plasmatics: Wendy What Went Wrong: The Plasmatics: Palladium, New York

Live Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, February 1980

SHE CAME. SHE SAWED (a guitar in half). She conquered. Wendy O. Williams, late of the 42nd Street grind circuit, now lead singer of the ...

John Cale, The Velvet Underground: John Cale: Conversation With A Saboteur

Interview by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, March 1980

NY Rocker: You've been around the industry for a while, doing A&R, producing, performing and whatnot. I was wondering if you had any theories on ...

The Specials: Live In NYC: The Specials

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, March 1980

IF THE REACTION of the New York rock press is any indication (and it usually isn't), the Specials are going to be Very Big In ...

Public Image Ltd: Lydon: Rock & Roll is Dead and He Don't Care

Interview by Kris Needs, New York Rocker, March 1980

AN HOUR of music served in a round metal tin, the twelve-inch form giving depth and punch. Once again, Public Image Ltd. have jabbed music ...

The Alley Cats: On The Street With The Alley Cats

Profile and Interview by Don Snowden, New York Rocker, March 1980

THE ALLEY Cats may play a bad set some night but I'll probably be long dead and gone before it happens. Sure, some sets are ...

The Plimsouls: Plimsouls: Culver City Arena, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Don Waller, New York Rocker, March 1980

IT'S FRIDAY night in L.A. and it's been raining for a week. But (prophetically) it's the Midnight Hour, and tonight, the Culver City Arena (in ...

Public Image Ltd, The Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious: Public Image Ltd.: Metal Box (Virgin import); Sid Vicious: Sid Sings! (Virgin import)

Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, March 1980

PIL'S METAL BOX: THE TIN CAN HAS A HEART ...

Wire: Re: Wire

Interview by J.D. Considine, New York Rocker, March 1980

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS are not my favorite means of communication, but in the case of Wire (to be specific, bassist Graham Lewis), it's either that or ...

The Specials: The Specials (Chrysalis)

Review by Don Waller, New York Rocker, March 1980

BY THE END of side one, I found myself plastered spread-eagled to the ceiling, tongue and eyes bulging, my face frozen in a delirious grin. ...

Public Image Ltd: Lydon In New York: The Image Goes Public

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, May 1980

IT IS TWO O'CLOCK in the afternoon, and John Lydon has just popped his third or fourth Heineken of the day. ...

Suicide Commits Itself

Profile by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, May 1980

EVERY NOW and then, we critics drop our objectivity – believe it or not – become emotionally involved with a band. For slightly over a ...

The Dils Disband

Report by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, May 1980

THE DILS, ONE of California's premier new wave bands, have broken up for keeps after three years together. ...

The Specials: Scam & Scandal In The Family

Report by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, May 1980

IN THE LAST issue of NY Rocker (#27/March '80), we printed an "Emergency Editorial" decrying the $10.00 price of tickets to the Specials' show presented on March ...

8-Eyed Spy, Lydia Lunch, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks: Way Out West With 8-Eyed Spy

Report by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, May 1980

IF LYDIA LUNCH'S Queen Of Siam hadn't come out when it did, I'd probably still be freezin' my butt off in Ketchum, Idaho, a town ...

Joan Jett, The Runaways: Joan Jett: Joan Alone

Interview by Kris Needs, New York Rocker, June 1980

Ex-Runaway leaves a London Launching pad ...

The Falcons: Starwood, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Don Waller, New York Rocker, June 1980

I dig rock 'n' roll music I can do the Twine and the Jerk I wear strictly Continental suits and high collared shirts I got ...

The Go-Go's: The Go-Gos Go!!

Interview by Don Snowden, New York Rocker, June 1980

THE GO-GO’S are a great rock ‘n’ roll band, pure and simple. ...

The Pretenders: Think Fast! It's The Pretenders!

Report and Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, June 1980

DUSK. THE rain falls in a thick gray curtain for as far ahead as we can see through the windshield of the battered compact, crawling ...

Cristina, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Lydia Lunch, Suicide: ZE Night: Hurrah, New York City

Profile by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, June 1980

THE RICH ARE different from you and me, my friends. While we content ourselves with free promos and an occasional "plus-one" at a local bistro, ...

The Velvet Underground: After Punk, What? The Velvet Underground

Essay by Alan Betrock, New York Rocker, July 1980

THOSE MUSIC-business "pundits" have often repeated the claim that a music-industry phenomenon rears its head every ten years — you know, Elvis in '54, the ...

The Clash, Tymon Dogg: Clash At The Crossroads

Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, July 1980

OUTSIDE ON Eighth Street, among the pizza parlors and shoe stores, it's early evening. Inside Electric Lady studios, the house that Jimi built, it could ...

Moe Tucker, The Velvet Underground: Maureen Tucker: "Quiet, Mommy's Recording"

Interview by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, July 1980

I GUESS THERE must be people out there who aren't aware of who Mo Tucker is. If you're one of them, listen up: MAUREEN TUCKER ...

Robert Fripp: God Save The Queen/Under Heavy Manners (Polydor)

Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, July 1980

I. Last year, Bob Fripp announced his "Drive to 1981". As I understood it, The Drive was to consist of three albums: the first, a ...

The Pretenders: Palladium, New York NY

Live Review by Craig Zeller, New York Rocker, July 1980

DRIVING INTO Manhattan for this shindig, I had (in order of importance) a toothache, a throatache, and a headache. So I decided to get into ...

The Shaggs, The Slits: Slits: Y3LP (Y/Rough Trade import); The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World (Red Rooster/Rounder)

Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, September 1980

WHAT WE HAVE here are two sets of women arriving at (arguably) the same place by (unarguably) dissimilar routes. The place in question is Primitivesville ...

The Cramps: Songs The Lord Taught Us (IRS)

Review by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, September 1980

TO TRASH THE trashiest, that was the Cramps' initial challenge to the burgeoning punk scene. Lux Interior threw down the gauntlet in 'Garbage Man', snarling ...

The Selecter: Beyond Black And White

Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, September 1980

JERRY DAMMMERS must be reeling. The Specials' gap-toothed leader created a movement when he started the 2-Tone label, figuring that his own band would be ...

X in New York

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, September 1980

EN ROUTE to London, X stopped over in New York in June for a round of interviews and two live performances, at the '80s and ...

Patti Smith

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, October 1980

CAN A NEW York City-bred rock poetess find happiness in her new life as a Detroit housewife? If the poetess in question is Patti Smith, ...

James Chance & the Contortions: Sons and Daughters of No New York — James Chance & the Contortions: Live Aux Bains Douches (Invisible Records)

Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, October 1980

LAST MAY, James Chance left New York for Paris, France — and he hasn't returned yet. The feisty funk merchant was accompanied by guitarist Patrick ...

Bush Tetras: Sons and Daughters of No New York: Bush Tetras

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, October 1980

PAT PLACE: Guitar. Age 26. Born and raised in Chicago. Arrived in New York in 1975. "I was a visual art student... I came here ...

DNA: Sons and Daughters of No New York: DNA

Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, October 1980

THE MOST exciting aspect of the No New York album was the clean break it made, once and for all, with '60s rock. While the ...

The Raybeats: Sons and Daughters of No New York: The Raybeats

Profile and Interview by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, October 1980

THE TRADITION of white instrumental rock in America is not a particularly strong one. Indeed, most of the young 'uns I know consider the white ...

The Undertones

Interview by Howard Wuelfing, New York Rocker, October 1980

SINCE THEIR performing debut here last year supporting the Clash, the Undertones have cleared a whole mess of professional and personal hurdles. ...

8-Eyed Spy, James Chance & the Contortions, The Raybeats: Eight Eyed Spy: George Scott (1953-1980)

Obituary by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, 8 October 1980

ON AUGUST 6, N.Y. Rocker received the following press release from Bob Singerman, the booking agent and acting manager of Eight Eyed Spy: ...

8-Eyed Spy: Sons and Daughters of No New York: Eight Eyed Spy

Report by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, 8 October 1980

THE DEATH of George Scott seems almost certain to precipitate the breakup of Eight Eyed Spy. Scott wasn't just a highly individual, perhaps irreplaceable instrumentalist; ...

Slash: Sitting In Limbo

Report by Don Snowden, New York Rocker, November 1980

LOS ANGELES — Rumors have been running rampant about the imminent demise of Slash magazine. A forthcoming issue may indeed be its swansong... but then ...

Blue Öyster Cult, Shakin' Street: Blue Oyster Cult: Cultosaurus Erectus (Columbia); Shakin' Street: Shakin' Street (Columbia)

Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, November 1980

FUNNY ISN'T it, how both of these records, for one frustrating reason or another, make you long for the late and all-too-unlamented Dictators? Sorry, folks, ...

Fabulous Thunderbirds: Blue(S) Metal Flake on a Big White Fab T-Bird

Report and Interview by Don Waller, New York Rocker, November 1980

(Cue music: Juke Boy Bonner's 'Runnin' Shoes') ...

John Cooper Clarke, Linton Kwesi Johnson: Linton Kwesi Johnson: Bass Culture (Island import); John Cooper Clarke: Snap, Crackle & Bop (Epic import)

Review by Don Waller, New York Rocker, November 1980

THIS IS The Rap on The Rap, Part I: On the day you're born the doctor smacks your butt, then you start to rappin' and ...

The B-52s: The B-52's: Wild Planet (Warner Bros.)

Review by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, November 1980

EVEN THE most novel ideas can fall victim to the old adage that familiarity breeds contempt. In 1978, when exuberant dance music was a rare ...

Joan Jett, Young Marble Giants: Young Marble Giants: Colossal Youth (Rough Trade Import); Joan Jett: Joan Jett (Ariola import)

Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, November 1980

"I was sad because I had no cigarettes, then I met a man who had no lungs." — Thomas "Wag" Givan ...

Captain Beefheart: If It Weren't For Bad Luck

Report by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, January 1981

NEW YORK – Did ever a man suffer such unrelenting abuse, incomprehension, and just plain bad luck at the hands of the American record industry ...

The Dictators: Back From The Bronx

Report by Gary Sperrazza!, New York Rocker, February 1981

NEW YORK– "You know how Teddy Pendergrass only lets women into his concerts? Next time we play here, we're only gonna allow 300 Ib. men ...

The Slits: Irving Plaza, New York NY

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, February 1981

AM I THE only man in the house tonight with the sudden and irrepressible urge to take Ari Up over my knee and give her ...

Circle Jerks: Group Sex (Frontier)

Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, March 1981

ONE OF THE real top great beauties of Anglo punk, the early, was that there was never a lyric sheet. Singers sang breakneck as they ...

John Lennon: My Brilliant Career

Obituary by Simon Frith, New York Rocker, March 1981

'Death Of A Hero' it said in big black letters across the front of the Daily Mirror, and if I hadn't known already I'd have ...

The Blasters: Down Home with The Blasters

Profile and Interview by Don Snowden, New York Rocker, March 1981

FIRST THINGS first: I love roots music but I'm no great rockabilly fan. The part I like best – the beat – is pure black ...

The Feelies: Irving Plaza, New York NY

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, March 1981

THE FEELIES are in trouble. The Feelies are troubled. They have gained an audience (this show was as well-attended as any Irving plaza gig by ...

The Jam: Sound Affects (Polydor)

Review by Don Snowden, New York Rocker, March 1981

SOUND AFFECTS finds the Jam stretching out, once again successfully staying off the (seemingly) inherent limitations of a three-piece lineup. ...

Echo & The Bunnymen: Echo and the Bunnymen/Insect Surfers: The Blitz, West Hempstead, NY

Live Review by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, June 1981

THE TIME: DAWN, a few weeks after the police raid on and the closing of Danceteria. The Place: The entrance to the Queens Midtown Tunnel, ...

John Cale: Honi Soit... (A&M)

Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, June 1981

THE ALBUM TITLE is part of a motto on the British Royal Coat of Arms, "Honi soit qui mal y pense." "Evil to him who ...

Prince: A Dirty Mind Comes Clean

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, June 1981

WHO IS THE REAL Prince, anyway? The flashy, high-energy black pop star with the Stratocaster wearing Iggy Pop's underwear? Or the pleasant, soft-spoken fellow who ...

The Bongos: Bongo Journalism

Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, June 1981

THE BONGOS are part of a small brigade making pop music that remains fun to be part of. They are engaging entertainers. ...

Blondie: The Chick Side of Blondie

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, June 1981

...AND SO IT came to pass, in the first months of 1981, that the white rock and roll band called Blondie appeared in the Top ...

Junie Morrison: The Junie Vibe

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, July 1981

WALTER "JUNIE" Morrison sinks wearily into an armchair in his hotel suite. Not until 3 o'clock this morning did he leave the stage of the ...

Lee "Scratch" Perry, The Terrorists: Lee Perry comes in for a landing

Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, July 1981

HE GOES by many names. Scratch, the Upsetter, Super Ape, Pipecock Jackson. Lee Perry is one of the (some would say the) foremost producers of ...

A Certain Ratio, Joy Division, New Order, The Slits: Rough Trade and Factory: Business Brains in Action!

Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, July 1981

Independent Thoughts From Rough Trade's Geoff Travis And Factory's Tony Wilson ...

X: Wild Gift (Slash)

Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, July 1981

"Got a hole in my heart/Size of my heart/Is my fist" — 'The Once Over Twice' ...

Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Germs, X: The Decline of Western Civilization (Dir. Penelope Spheeris)

Film/DVD/TV Review by Don Waller, New York Rocker, September 1981

THE DECLINE of Western Civilization, Penelope Spheeris's documentary of the L.A. punk scene circa late '79/early '80, is by turns funny, provocative, pretentious, inspiring, boring, ...

Bob Marley & the Wailers: Bob Marley

Obituary by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, September 1981

BOB MARLEY and the Wailers were the group that turned me, and many other Americans, on to reggae music. For that, they have a permanent ...

Julian Leal, R.E.M.: Crib•Death

Review by Gary Sperrazza!, New York Rocker, September 1981

It's... it's... it's Gary Sperrazza! ...

Lydia Lunch & 13.13: O.N. Klub, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, September 1981

THE O.N. KLUB, at the very far end of the entertainment turf strung along Sunset Boulevard, has the feel of a biker's bar gone cool ...

The Germs: Germicide (Mohawk/Bomp)

Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, September 1981

THIS ALBUM'S a real pisser. If you've got a nose for noise and don't buy this slab, you're up Hell Creek without an asbestos wiener. ...

Black Uhuru: My Father's Place, New York NY

Live Review by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, October 1981

I HAD TO choose between this and the Palladium show (the entire Black Uhuru American Tour) and I figured this was the show to see. ...

James Blood Ulmer: Blood in the Grooves

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, October 1981

1. A LOT OF different people are going to like Free-Lancing, the new album by James Blood Ulmer. ...

Dog Eat Dog (no wave), Konk, Liquid Liquid: Liquid Liquid, Konk, Dog Eat Dog: Beat • Sound • Motion

Profile and Interview by David A. Keeps, New York Rocker, October 1981

SOMETHING DECIDEDLY hep is alive in the cellar. ...

The Neville Brothers, Professor Longhair: New Orleans: "The city that time forgot"

Report by Don Snowden, New York Rocker, October 1981

One City And Its Romance With R&B ...

Marshall Crenshaw: Someday... Someway... You'll... meet... Marshall Crenshaw

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, October 1981

EVERY NOW and then, some group, performer or recording of special merit floats up from the steady stream of unremarkable independent or "underground" music which ...

The Go-Go's: Beauty And The Beat (I.R.S.)

Review by Don Snowden, New York Rocker, October 1981

THE DIFFICULT thing here is reconciling expectations based on long-time familiarity with the vinyl reality. For you, the Go-Go's are the all-female L.A. quintet behind ...

Black Uhuru: Roots Reality

Profile and Interview by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, November 1981

SEE BLOOD! ...

Sonic Youth: The State of New York

Overview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, November 1981

TO ANYONE who's been reading this magazine even semi-regularly for the past year, it should be obvious that there's something very wrong with the current ...

Delta 5, Orange Juice, Pigbag, The Raincoats, Scritti Politti, David Thomas, Robert Wyatt: Adam Kidron: The Man Behind the Mix

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, December 1981

Making Tracks with Adam Kidron, London's 21-Year-Old Production Prodigy ...

The Flesh Eaters: Flesh Eaters' Chris D.'s Carnal Knowledge

Essay by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, December 1981

IN MY OPINE, Chris Desjardins is the best goddamn singer/songwriter ('r "S/S" in classic Creemspeak) that's e'er poked his pate above the stiflin' smog that covers ...

Pigbag: Horny Boars Or Funky Hambones?

Profile and Interview by Howard Wuelfing, New York Rocker, December 1981

STILL RECOVERING from last night's celebration of the end of my first cold of the season. Ooch! Where was I? Oh yeah, I'm supposed to ...

Hüsker Dü: Land Speed Record (New Alliance)

Review by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, 1982

FRENCH REVOLUTIONARIES of the 19th century had an interestin' way of equippin' their "human bombs." ...

The Cars

Interview by Annene Kaye, New York Rocker, 1982

SHAKING IT UP WITH DAVID (THE ARTISTIC ONE) AND RIC (THE TALL ONE) ...

The Cars: Shake It Up

Review by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, 1982

THE CARS have achieved success the-way Henry Ford build autos – by creating interchangeable, streamlined riffs that are assemble to mass-produce pop hits. In 1982, ...

Gregory Isaacs: Savoy, New York NYC

Live Review by Richard Grabel, New York Rocker, January 1982

SMOOTH IS the word for Gregory Isaacs. So smooth, and so suave. The cool king of that gentle, romantic Jamaican reggae called lover's rock. ...

R.E.M.

Interview by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, January 1982

IT'S HAPPENED again. ...

The Legendary Stardust Cowboy: The Tears of a Clown: The Lives and Loves of the Legendary Stardust Cowboy

Profile and Interview by John Morthland, New York Rocker, January 1982

"THIS NEXT one is called 'Arise'. It's a Western song; not a country song, a Western song. Okay, hit it, boys," commands Norman Odam, a/k/a ...

Johnny Otis

Profile and Interview by Don Snowden, New York Rocker, February 1982

IT'S BECOMING readily apparent that one salient characteristic of the first batch of Los Angeles bands (let's leave those lovable beach punks out of this) ...

Tav Falco's Panther Burns: Some Smoke Raises Burns Panther

Report and Interview by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, February 1982

A MEMPHIS BAND TAKES ROCKABILLY'S SKELETONS OUT OF THE CLOSET ...

The Morells: Midwest's Mighty Morells

Profile and Interview by Gary Sperrazza!, New York Rocker, May 1982

WHO? THE MORELLS are/were the Skeletons are/were the Symptoms, also known as the Original Symptoms. They have 4 singles, an EP, an LP, and have ...

45 Grave, Vox Pop: California Screamin': 45 Grave and Vox Pop

Profile and Interview by Byron Coley, New York Rocker, September 1982

"All I can say is that everyone in Vox Pop is smarter than everyone in 45 Grave."--Jeff Dahl, May '82"I'm smarter than everyone in Vox ...

The Individuals: Thinking Aloud: The Individuals Discuss Their Fields Of Expertise

Interview by Roy Trakin, New York Rocker, November 1982

VOCALIST/GUITARIST Glenn Morrow you already know about: former managing editor of the rag you hold in your hands, all-around nice guy, and one of the ...

Bob Segarini, The Diodes, Teenage Head: Teenage Head, Diodes, Segarini: Toronto Punk Albums

Review by Gary Sperrazza!, New York Rocker, January 1984

Teenage Head: Frantic CityDiodes: Action/Reaction Segarini: On The Radio ...

Harlem Knight: Bobby Robinson's Last Rites

Obituary by Andy Schwartz, New York Rocker, 23 March 2011

BOBBY ROBINSON, who died January 7, 2011, was one of the unsung pioneers of the 20th century American record industry. ...

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