Kris Needs Presents... Dirty Water: The Birth of Punk Attitude

VARIOUS ARTISTS
LABEL: YEAR ZERO
RELEASE DATE: 10TH JANUARY 2011

Legendary journalist and DJ Kris Needs compiles ‘Dirty Water: The Birth Of Punk Attitude’ – a radical look at the essence of punk music and the attitude behind it. With tracks sourced from ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll and ‘60s counter-culture through to the mainstream explosion in ’77; this collection reveals Kris’ profound knowledge and passion for proper punk attitude. Although featuring names without whom no such compilation should be without, the set also highlights less likely candidates through their influence, attitude or sheer courage in the face of adversity; mavericks and rebels shooting for the stars and going against the grain.

Starting with two quintessential garage-punk bands – The Standells (whose ‘Dirty Water’ provides the snotty title track) and Seeds (covered by Needs’ own long-forgotten band 35 years ago) – Kris’s lifelong New York obsession is covered with the untouchable New York Dolls, senses-shattering electronic punks Suicide plus two of their influences in Silver Apples and vocal group The Silhouettes, and Ramones influencing The Dictators.

The album approaches the punk spirit as a way of making music or conveying a message by any means necessary which makes the 1970 hip hop template of Harlem’s Last Poets also makes them prime candidates along with David Peel and the Lower East Side delivering their stoner street anthems in Washington Square Park. The Deviants were at the forefront of UK’s ‘67 counter-cultural revolution, leading to ‘70s UK proto-punk is represented by Jook, Third World War and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. The rarest tune (on CD for first time) on this compilation is the Hollywood Brats’ storming treatment of the Kinks’ ‘I Need You’.

Kris found himself reaching back into his own adolescence, hence the inclusions of Mott The Hoople, Dr Feelgood’s Peter Hammill in the Rikki Nadir incarnation, Germany’s inestimably-influential Can, T. Rex when Bolan went electric and Detroit’s incendiary MC5. The Motor City is also represented here by The Stooges, MC5 sister band Up and brilliant but overlooked black punk trio Death. Sun Ra was a profound influence on the MC5 but he’s here for his star-sailing individuality and DIY spirit of his indie-pioneering Saturn label.

The album also casts its net around the rest of America with seminal Midwest outfits Red Krayola and Rocket From The Tombs, San Francisco’s fabulous Flamin’ Groovies, unique L.A. aliens Zolar X and The Monks (American G.I.s stationed in Germany). It all ends quite perfectly in 1977 with the timeless roots prophecy of Culture’s ‘Two Sevens Clash’, highlighting reggae’s towering presence in all this.

Kris Needs has been a writer and DJ for 40 years, finding himself at the forefront of several major cultural movements, while eternally inspired by his late friend John Peel regarding lacking control over his emotions when encountering any strain of great music. From being blown away by, then running the fan club for Mott The Hoople, Kris has fought for passion and honesty in music, whatever the name, but in the 70s found himself on the front line of the punk revolution while editing original fanzine Zigzag, touring with and befriending many major players. The set will be accompanied by extensive liner notes from Needs, who has also written books on The Clash, Primal Scream, Keith Richards, the New York Dolls and his own autobiography, currently being rewritten for publication in 2011.

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