Radio Brain Drain 2020 & Shows # 843, 842, 841

Back in 2015, CJAM FM started Radio Brain Drain, which is made up of weeklong programming celebrating punk music in all its forms. This was started to celebrate the first show that was played by Ramones on August 16th, 1974 at CBGB’s. There have been a variety of programs and interviews since 2015 on Revolution Rock (and CJAM FM). This year we did a show focusing on demo recordings by bands that either influenced the Ramones or were influenced by the Ramones. We also went a little outside of those parameters.

A demo recording is usually an early version of a song or a group of songs used for reference or a specific purpose. They usually are not meant for public distribution, but they seem to find their way on album reissues and through bootlegs, whether physically or digitally. Originally demos were made by bands to help them secure a recording contract with a record label, a publishing deal or to help them get live shows. Since the advent of the internet, home recording, and lo-fi music, their initial use may have changed, but they still exist for many different reasons. Musicians still make demos for reference purposes sometimes on their phone to get the idea down quick so that they don’t forget it. It is basically like a rough draft in writing, but whatever their purpose, demos or demonstrations are sometimes drastically different from the final song/recording. 

On this show, we dug deep to play recordings of varying quality and rareness. Take a look at the playlist and download link below the playlist to hear this episode. 

Show 843 (Originally Aired On August 22nd, 2020)(Radio Brain Drain 2020):

1. Ramones - You Should Never Have Opened That Door (1975 Demo)(Ramones - 40th Anniversary - 2016)

2. Ramones - What’s Your Name (1975 Demo)(Ramones - 40th Anniversary - 2016) 

3. Generation X - Your Generation (1977 Demo) 

4. The Spy’s - Been Through The Mill (1979 Demo)(Original Punk Rock From Canada 1979-1980)

5. Orphan Choir - Red Channels (2011 Basement Demo)

6. The Diodes – That Was the Way It Was (Eastern Sound Demo 1979)(Rarities - 2017)

7. Patti Smith – Redondo Beach (Land - 2002) 

8. Pointed Sticks – All My Clocks Stopped (Studio Demo - 1980)

9. Blondie – The Thin Line (Blondie - 2001 Reissue) 

10. X – I'm Coming Over (Los Angeles - 2001 Reissue) 

11. Red Lights - Jungle Book (Red Lights - 2020)

12. The Nerves - Letter To G (Demo)(One Way Ticket - 2008) 

13. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Smitten (1979 Demo)(Destiny Street Repaired - 2009) 

14. Buzzcocks - Lipstick (Demo)(Love Bites - 2010 Reissue) 

15. Iggy Pop - Loco Mosquito #2 (Soldier Demos) 

16. Devo – Shrivelled Up (Hardcore Devo Vol. 3 - 1990) 

17. Television – Prove It (Brian Eno Demo)(Double Exposure - 1988)

18. The Heartbreakers – Love Comes in Spurts (Demo)(Yonkers Demo 1976)

19. Teenage Head – Don't Cage Me In (Tornado [Reved Up Edition] - 2019)

20. The Replacements – Raised in the City (Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash [Deluxe Edition] - 2008) 

21. The Cramps - All Tore Up (1979 Ohio Demo)(The Ohio Demos - 1986) 

22. Paul Jacobs - Spirit Folks (2012 Demo)(Demos - 2013)

23. TV Freaks - Thirteen (Demo) (Scraps Vol 1 - 2020)

24. Psychic Void - Morning Anxiety (2017 Demo)

25. Teenanger - Dawn (Demo)

26. The Nils – Scratches and Needles (Now (Demo))(Green Fields In Daylight - 1996)

27. The Clash – Janie Jones (The Clash on Broadway - 1991) 

28. Simply Saucer – Low Profile (Cyborgs Revisited - 2003 Reissue)

29. Wire – Mannequin [Third Demo] (Pink Flag [Special Edition] - 2018) 

30. Ramones – I Don't Wanna Be Tamed (1975 Demo)(Ramones - 2001 Reissue) 

31. Ramones – Judy is a Punk (1975 Demo) (Ramones - 2001 Reissue)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the August 22 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 842  (Originally Aired On August 15th, 2020)(Daniel Romano, New York Dolls, David Johansen, Iggy & The Stooges):

1. Reverb Ranch - Tinijas Atlas
2. La Luz – Big Big Blood
3. Shoobies – Open for Business 
4. Pixies – The Happening
5. Helvetia - Love Me 
6. Matthew Grimson - Stood Up 
7. Daniel Romano’s Outfit - A Rat Without A Table 
8. Damaged Bug - I Tried 
9. Tommy and The Commies - Power Standby 
10. Jesse Jams & the Flams – It's Not Fun to Stay at the YMCA 
11. Pup – Morbid Stuff 
12. Rogue Tenant and Steve Sladkowski - My Father's House 
13. Women – Bullfight 
14. Actress - I’m Confronted (Demo)
15. New York Dolls - Lone Star Queen (1974 Demo)
16. David Johansen - Cool Metro 
17. Slyvain Slyvain - 14th Street Beat
18. Iggy & the Stooges – I Got Nothin' (Live - Metallic K.O.)
19. Iggy & the Stooges – Scene of the Crime 
20. Iggy & the Stooges – I Got a Right 
21. Iggy & the Stooges – I'm Sick of You 
22. The Criminal$ - The Kids Are Back
23. The Heartbreakers - I Wanna Be Loved (1976 Yonkers Demo)
24. Jerry Nolan (with Teneriffa Cowboys) - Countdown Love 
25. Walter Lure & The Waldos - Crazy Kids 
26. Pottery - Down In The Dumps 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the August 15 file to download/stream the episode.

Show 841 (Originally Aired On August 8th, 2020)(Fontaines D.C., Tough Age, Tom Waits, John Lurie, Marvin Pontiac):

1. Fontaines D.C. - A Lucid Dream 
2. Crack Cloud – Tunnel Vision
3. Tough Age – Penny Current Suppression Ring 
4. Tough Age – My Life's a Joke & I'm Throwing it Away 
5. Modern Baseball – Apple Cider, I Don't Mind 
6. Big Joanie - Cranes In The Sky 

7. Swell Maps - Let’s Build A Car
8. Rough Francis - Tito’s Revenge 
9. Stooges - T.V. Eye (Live At Goose Lake Park August 8, 1970)
10. Wolf Parade – Wandering Son 
11. Daniel Romano's Outfit – Little Shirley Melrose 
12. Orville Peck – Take You Back (The Iron Hoof Cattle Call) 
13. Shotgun Jimmie – Sappy Slogans
14. Pavement – Coolin' by Sound
15. Ten Million Lights - Never Let Go
16. Matt Ellis - Flowers In The Moonlight
17. Television Personalities - Part Time Punks 
18. Laurie - Echo Chamber 
19. A New Kind of Mambo - New Kind of Mambo 
20. The Beastie Boys - Song For Junior 
21. Oscar Peterson – C Jam Blues 
22. Lounge Lizards – No Pain for Cakes 
23. Charlie Christian – A Smooth One 
24. Tom Waits – Nirvana 
25. John Lurie - Tuesday Night in Memphis 
26. Marvin Pontiac - Let Me Tell You 
27. Women - Group Transport Hall 
28. The Burning Hell - I Want To Drink In A Bar 
29. Fontaines DC - Living In America 

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the August 8 file to download/stream the episode.

Ramones Radio Brain Drain Show # 788

As part of CJAM FM’s Radio Brain Drain programming this year, which is a week’s worth of celebrating punk rock in all its forms. Revolution Rock did a program made up entirely of music from the Ramones. With 14 studio albums in their discography, not counting live albums and compilations, the Ramones branched out in a variety of styles from 1974-1996, but commercial success evaded them. The band was and is still highly influential and even what some people view as not their best albums still feature some great songs. This program featured a mix of music from the band’s discography, selections from the recent 40th anniversary box sets of their first four albums including demos, rare recordings and live recordings. Download/stream the show after the playlist below.

Ramones Radio Brain Drain Playlist:

1. Ramones - Judy is a Punk (Demo) (Ramones - Sire Records - 1976/2001)
2. Ramones - Return of Jackie and Judy (End of the Century - Sire Records - 1980)
3. Ramones - I Want You Around (Soundtrack version) (Rock 'N' Roll High School (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Sire Records - 1979)
4. Ramones - Glad to See You Go (Bubblegum version) (Leave Home - 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Sire/Rhino Records - 2017)
5. Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated (Take 2) (Road to Ruin - 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Sire/Rhino Records - 2018)
6. Ramones - Surfin’ Bird (Alternate Vocal) (Rocket to Russia - 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Sire/Rhino Records - 2017)
7 Ramones - She's the One (Road To Ruin - Sire Records - 1978)
8. Ramones - Bop Til' You Drop (Halfway to Sanity - Sire/Beggars Banquet - 1987)
9. Ramones - Psycho Therapy (Subterranean Jungle - Sire Records - 1983)
10. Ramones - My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Animal Boy - Sire Records - 1986)
11. Ramones - Howling at the Moon (Sha-la-la-la) (Too Tough to Die - Sire/Beggars Banquet - 1984)
12. Ramones - Eat that Rat (Animal Boy - Sire Records - 1986)
13. Ramones - Warthog (Too Tough to Die - Sire/Beggars Banquet - 1984)
14. Ramones - I Don't Wanna Grow Up (Adios Amigos! - Radioactive - 1995)
15. Ramones - Do You Remember Rock n' Roll Radio? (Greatest Hits Live - Radioactive - 1996)
16. Ramones - Pet Sematary (Brain Drain - Sire Records - 1989)
17. Ramones - California Sun (Sundragon Rough Mix) (Sundragon Sessions - Sire/Rhino Records - 2018)
18. Ramones - Swallow My Pride (Sundragon Rough Mix) (Sundragon Sessions - Sire/Rhino Records - 2018)
19. Ramones - I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement (Ramones - Sire Records - 1976)
20. Ramones - Havana Affair (Ramones - Sire Records - 1976)
21. Ramones - 53rd & 3rd (Demo) Ramones (Ramones - 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Sire/Rhino Records - 2016)
22. Ramones - Commando (Leave Home - Sire Records - 1977)
23. Ramones - Ramona (Sweet Little Ramona Pop Mix) (Rocket to Russia - 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Sire/Rhino Records - 2017)
24. Ramones - Rockaway Beach (Rocket to Russia - Sire Records - 1977)
25. Ramones - We're a Happy Family (Rocket to Russia - Sire Records - 1977)
26. Ramones - Teenage Lobotomy (Rocket to Russia - Sire Records - 1977)
27. Ramones - Rock 'N' Roll High School (End of the Century - Sire Records - 1979)
28. Ramones - All's Quiet on the Eastern Front (Pleasant Dreams - Sire Records - 1981)
29. Ramones - The KKK Took My Baby Away (Pleasant Dreams - Sire Records - 1981)
30. Ramones - Questioningly (take 2) (Road to Ruin - 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - Sire/Rhino Records - 2018)
31. Ramones - Little Bit O’Soul (Subterranean Jungle - Sire Records - 1983)
32. Ramones - I'm Not An Answer (Dee Dee Vocal Version) (Too Tough to Die - Sire/Beggars Banquet - 1984/2002)
33. Ramones - R.A.M.O.N.E.S. (Greatest Hits Live - Radioactive - 1996)
34. Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop (Live) (Leave Home - Sire Records - 1977/2001)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for August 17.

Revolution Rock: Radio Brain Drain & Episode # 574

On August 16th, 1974 Ramones played their first show as a four-piece band at CBGB’s. To celebrate this fact CJAM FM hosted a selection of programs from August 16-22 that focused on punk music of all forms. Revolution Rock hosted two programs celebrating the spirit and influence of the music created by Ramones.

Revolution Rock: Radio Brain Drain Edition

On Saturday August 22nd, Revolution Rock aired a two-hour program featuring a mixed selection of Ramones songs, including live and demo recordings. There was also music from bands that were influenced by and covered Ramones music and some of the bands that influenced the Ramones.

Saturday Night Radio Brain Drain Playlist (Show 574):

1. Ramones - Judy Is A Punk (Live At The Roxy 1976)
2. Ramones - Cretin Hop
3. Ramones - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
4. The Seeds - Try To Understand
5. Shangri-Las - Hate To Say I Told You So
6. Ronettes - Why Don’t They Let Us Fall In Love
7. The Beach Boys - 409 (Original Mono Long Version)
8. Frank Black - I Heard Ramona Sing
9. Ramones - I Don't Wanna Grow Up
10. Tom Waits - The Return Of Jackie & Judy
11. Tom Waits - Danny Says
12. Teenage Head With Marky Ramone - Let's Shake
13. Teenage Head With Marky Ramone - Some Kinda Fun
14. Ramones - Everytime I Eat Vegetables I Think Of You
15. Ramones - I Need Your Love
16. The Strokes - Life’s A Gas
17. Sonic Youth - Beat On The Brat
18. The Who - I'm A Boy
19. New York Dolls - Trash
20. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers - Born To Lose
21. Ramones - Chinese Rock
22. Ramones - I Can’t Get You Outta My Mind
23. The Undertones - Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue (Live At The Casbah 1977)
24. The Dishrags - I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You
25. The Action - TV's On The Blink
26. Lowlife - Thinking Naturally
27. Stark Naked & The Fleshtones - I Broke Her Heart, She Broke My Arm
28. The Real Mackenzies - Dropping Like Flies
29. Sleater-Kinney - I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone
30. Ramonetures - I Wanna Be Well
31. Elvis Presley - Trying To Get To You
32. Ramones - Slug (Demo)
33. Ramones - Chainsaw
34. Ramones - Teenage Lobotomy

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for August 22. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

As a side note and for those keeping count, episode 573 of Revolution Rock was a repeat episode that originally aired back in April 2015. You can download that episode here and find the playlist in this post.

Revolution Rock: The Last Pogo Jumps Again Edition

In December 2014, I interviewed Colin Brunton who along with Kire Paputts directed The Last Pogo Jumps Again. This is a documentary chronicling the early Toronto punk/new wave music scenes form 1976-1978. I re-aired this interview with a selection of bands from the early Toronto punk/new wave music scenes for this special episode of Revolution Rock that aired on Tuesday 18.

Here is an excerpt from a review I did of the film:

From what began at a theatre that used to show B-movies entitled the 99 Cent Roxy in conjunction with the Ramones playing a series of shows at a venue called The New Yorker, a chord was struck with aspiring musicians and artists alike. Both of these venues were run by who are referred to as the two Gary’s (Gary Topp and Gary Cormier), who both supported the scene and booked acts and many of the venues that they would run throughout the early parts of this scene. The Last Pogo Jumps Again leaps into coverage of several of the heavyweights in this early music scene such as The Diodes, who took their power pop influenced punk sounds to CBS Records Canada, becoming the first Canadian punk band signed to a major label and The Viletones. They took punk to new extremes, both literally and musically.

Read the full review here.

Check out the interview I did with Colin Brunton:



LPJA Playlist (Show 573):

1. The Diodes - Shapes Of Things To Come
2. The Secrets - Rock Music
3. The Poles - Prime Time
4. The Dishes - Summer Reaction (Crash & Burn)
5. The Curse - I Accuse You (Demo)
6. The Fits - Bored of Education

COLIN BRUNTON: THE LAST POGO JUMPS AGAIN INTERVIEW

7. The Government - Flat Tire
8. The Scenics - I'm Hurt
9. Cardboard Brains - Babies Run My World (Live)
10. The Mods - Step Out Tonight (Live)
11. The Viletones - Possibilites

Download this episode here.

Tommy Ramone (1949-2014) & Show # 519

On July 11th, 2014 Tommy Ramone (real name Thomas Erdeyi) passed away due to complications with bile duct cancer, he was 65. Best known as the drummer of the influential punk band the Ramones from 1974-1978, Tommy helped to define the band’s early sound that has since become vastly influential on music. Prior to playing in Ramones, Tommy played guitar in a high school garage rock band in 1966 with John Cummings (later known as Johnny Ramone). The band was known as The Tangerine Puppets and Tommy actually played guitar in the group, Johnny played bass. The group split up in 1967. Tommy reconnected with Johnny during the embryotic stages of the Ramones. Starting as a three-piece band, with Joey Ramone on drums, Dee Dee Ramone bass/vocals and Johnny Ramone on guitar, Tommy was initially supposed to manage the group.  After Joey put down his drumsticks to take up vocals, Tommy Ramone stepped in to become the group’s drummer. Tommy played drums on Ramones first three albums (Ramones, Leave Home and Rocket To Russia) and would also serve as co-producer on those albums. He assisted in producing 1978’s Road To Ruin, the first album to feature Marky Ramone on drums. He also has production credits for the band's live album, It's Alive and 1984’s Too Tough To Die. It's Alive was recorded in 1977, but not released until 1979.

Tommy left the Ramones to focus more on his interest in music production. He apparently first worked as an assistant engineer at the age of 18 on Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies album in 1970. Tommy would also produce The Replacements 1985 album Tim, Neurotica by Red Kross in 1987 and a few others such as Talking Heads “Love --> Building On Fire” single in 1977. Tommy also released an album as Uncle Monk a blue grass country group in 2006, featuring Claudia Tienan a guitarist, bassist and vocalist that was formerly in The Simplistics. While he has been involved in music production, he is still known as one of the four founding members of the Ramones, all of which now have unfortunately passed away. Tommy’s drum style mixed with the Ramones brand of music that would later be called punk music, but the music also featured strong melodies and can be traced back to influences of 60s pop music, surf music and 70s proto punk.

In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1975, Tommy described the band’s sound, which was drastically differed during a period of over indulgent mainstream music: "Our music is an answer to the early Seventies when artsy people with big egos would do vocal harmonies and play long guitar, solos and get called geniuses. That was bullshit. We play rock & roll. We don't do solos. Our only harmonics are in the overtones from the guitar chords." Although the Ramones did not receive mainstream commercial success during their time, the effects of their loud, fast and abrasive songs that are attached with catchy melodies are still heard throughout music today.

Saturday Night Play List:

1. The Gears - Don’t Be Afraid To Pogo
2. The Kids - Do You Wanna Know
3. Zig Zags - The Fog
4. C’mon - Easier Said Than Done
5. Mark Lofgren - Pocketful Of Bliss
6. Vibrant Fiasco - Lizard LIps
7. The Walkabouts - Got No Chains
8. Anagram - Evil
9. Le Butcherettes - Tonight
10. Fakes - Sabrina
11. Walrus - Glam Returns
12. The Bell Peppers - Campfire Waltz
13. The Specials - Do Nothing
14. The English Beat - Click Click
15. Holy Wave - Surfin’ MTA
16. Sixpence - In The Building
17. Inexpensive Handmade Look - What Good Is Up?
18. The Pretty Things - You Don’t Believe Me
19. The Flaming Lips - Can’t Let It Go
20. Indian Wars - Bullfrog
21. The Standells - Try It
22. Ugly Ducklings - Just In Case You Wonder
23. Light Bulb Alley - Eye In The Sky
24. Lost Patrol - Sellin’ My Mind
25. Elvis Costello - I'm Not Angry
26. Undertones - I Told You So
27. Protex - Listening In
28. Nirvana - Sappy
29. Ramones - Swallow My Pride
30. Ramones - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
31. Ramones - Teenage Lobotomy

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for July 26. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

The Specials, Ramones & Show # 469

The Specials - Too Much Too Young



“Too Much Too Young” was a song found on The Specials debut full length album The Specials released in 1979. The song featured controversial lyrics, but despite this it was released as a single in the UK and reached number one on the UK singles charts. Lyrically the song was based on the Lloyd Charmers song “Birth Control”, The Specials took those lyrics and gave them a modern slant based on the economic situation and times in England in the late 70s. This song, as do many on the full length album build on early Jamaican/Reggae songs form the 60s, but added 70s Punk attitude and vigour.

Ramones - Commando



“Commando” was a song found on The Ramones second full length album Leave Home released in 1977 on Sire Records. This song had a military lyrical background as do many early Ramones songs. It is credited to Dee Dee Ramone and Johnny Ramone and barely tow minutes long. The version in this video comes from their live album It’s Alive that was released in 1979, but recorded in 1977 at the Rainbow, Theatre in London, England. It's Alive was also the name of a B-Horror movie from 1974, which is where the title orginates from.

This Week's Play List:

1. The Deadly Ones – It’s Monster Surfing Time
2. The Challengers – Back Beat
3. Dean Carter – Call of the Wild
4. Monomyth – Cigarette
5. Ketamines – Double Elevens
6. Primal Scream – Goodbye Johnny
7. Gogol Bordello – We Rise Again
8. Daniel Romano – Chicken Bill
9. Hurricane & Able – Call On You
10. Teenanger – Funeral March
11. Kitten Forever – Rat Queen
12. Dishrags – Carry On
13. Silicon Injection - Argo
14. Johnny Motel & The Fast Fucks - Knock Down Blues
15. Shark Week – Get High
16. Huevos Rancheros – Trouble A Brewin
17. Adam and The Ants – The Human Beings
18. True Lovers – Master’s Apprentice
19. Johnny Thunders – Downtown
20. The Gun Club – Like Calling Up Thunder
21. The Police – Peanuts
22. Ramones – Commando
23. Buzzcocks – Love You More
24. The Rolling Stones - Dear Doctor
25. The Specials – Stupid Marriage
26. The Specials - Too Much Too Young

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for August 13 Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Rock N' Roll Radio...The Story of Ramones Part Two and Show #262

In early 1978, Ramones were with out a drummer (Tommy left the very same year, to pursue a more producer oriented career), Marc Bell would fill that void. Adapting to the Ramones style/ethic, Marc Bell became Marky Ramone and Ramones had their second drummer in the group. Previously Marky had played in the 70's Hard Rock band Dust and also in the New York based Punk band Richard Hell & The Voidoids. In September 1978, Ramones released their forth full length album Road To Ruin. Produced by Tommy Ramone (now going by his real name Tommy Erdelyi) and Ed Stasium, Road To Ruin displayed a shift in the Ramones sound. The album while it still had influences from previous Ramones albums (Surf, 60's Pop, etc.) showed a more serious Pop influenced sound.

The album starts off with the song "I Just Want To Have Something To Do", a song that musically is reminiscent of the early Ramones songs, and lyrically comes off sounding like a more professional and serious group. Tha album is filled with wonderfully produced Rock tracks such as "I Wanted Everything", "I Don't Want You", "I'm Against It", "Go Mental", and "Bad Brain". There is also one of Ramones most well known tracks here, "I Wanna Be Sedated". It is rumoured that the lyric "Put Me In A Wheel Chair and Get Me On A Plane Before I Go Insane", was actually said by Joey Ramone while recovering from a touring related injury. The band also show off a different more acoustic based Pop side with songs such as "Don't Come Close", the dramatic cover of "Needles & Pins", and "Questioningly", a song written by Dee Dee Ramone. "She's The One" is also another lost classic featured on Road To Ruin. The song is simply a love song lyrically and actually features minor chords (which wasn't a usual thing for the band). There is also a hidden lyrical nugget on this track for anyone that is a fan of The Kinks, the line "When I See Her On The Street You Know She Makes My Life Complete" is similar to a line in found in the Kinks song "Everybody's Gonna Be Happy". The album ends with the song "It's A Long Way Back", which is yet another Dee Dee written track and a German themed song (a theme that is evident on early Ramones albums). The album's cover art, which was a cartoon version of the band was done by Punk Magazine co-founder John Holmstrom.

While Road To Ruin may have been an excellently crafted album, it failed to Billboard Top 100 charts. The single "Don't Come Close" did chart on the UK singles charts at #39, but the other singles from the album did not. As a result the band would then go onto experimenting with a variety of different producers often changing the way they sounding in hopes of getting radio airplay, but the band would remain in cult status for a long time. Before completing their next album, Ramones were featured in the 1979 movie Rock N' Roll High School. Directed by Roger Corman, the film did not help the gain a larger fan base at the time. The soundtrack to the movie featured several Ramones track remixed by Phil Spector and the title track "Rock N' Roll High School", which differs from the version found on the bands next album End of The Century.

The Phil Spector produced album, was drastically different than any previous Ramones release. While Joey was a big fan of the work that Spector had done in the past, many have said that the production work on the album did not fit the band well. For the slower songs such as "Danny Says", a song written about Ramones manager Danny Fields and touring works well on this album. Despite the production style that album features many well written Ramones such as "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?", "I'm Affected", and "This Ain't Havanna". There was also a song titled "Chinese Rocks", which was a song written by Dee Dee Ramone and Richard Hell. The Song first appeared on the Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers album LAMF in 1977. The album would chart at #44 on the US album charts (their highest to date) and #14 in the UK. The single "Baby, I Love You" was the bands only top UK hit, going to #8 on the UK singles charts.

The bands sixth album would be titled Pleasant Dreams in 1981. The album was produced by Graham Gouldman, 60's Pop producer known for his work with The Yardbirds, The Hollies and 10cc. The album was what Marky Ramone calls their Pop Punk album. The album this time featured individual song writing credits (previously everyone shared the credits) and the band were on edge with each other after the recording sessions with Phil Spector for End of The Century. His eccentric and over compulsive demeanour of recording only heightened difficulties within the group resulting in a lack of communication between the band members.

Despite this fact Pleasant Dreams features some Ramones songs that should not be avoided. Songs such as "We Want The Airwaves", a Joey Ramone written track obviously reflecting his interest in gaining commercial success, "All Quiet On the Eastern Front", and "It's Not My Place (In the 9 to 5 World)" a song that comes off with a Clash sounding influence. There were also other great tracks such as "The KKK Took My Baby Away", a song that is eerily similar to Cheap Trick's "He's A Whore", the 60's Pop/Garage Rock influenced "Come On Now" written by Dee Dee Ramone, and the Joey Ramone track "She's A Sensation". The album reached #58 on the US album charts and also was the first album to not feature the band on the cover, instead there is a cartoon of a creepy man in a trench coat. Johnny Ramone has stated that he originally wanted to use a photo of the band that was influenced by the Horror movie Psycho .


Ramones spent most of 1982 touring, but in 1983 their seventh album Subterranean Jungle was released. This time the band chose the production team of Ritchie Cordell and Glen Kolotkin, who were known for their work with Joan Jett & The Heartbreakers and as the heads of an independent American record label. The band was once again hoping for a commercial success with this release, but unfortunately it was not. The album opens with a cover of the song "Little Bit O'Soul" a song originally by The Music Explosion in 1967. There were also two other covers "I Need Your Love" (originally by The Boyfriends) and "Time Has Come Today" (originally by The Chambers Brothers). The rest of the album features Ramones originals such as "Outsider" and "Time Bomb" two Dee Dee originals with him singing lead vocals on "Time Bomb". The album also featured collaboration between Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone, on the song "Psycho Therapy". The song is a song that is just as good as any in the bands catalog and features classic Ramones style lyrics. The album can be seen as more of a return to the bands Punk roots, but it is obvious that this album also reflected the bands 60's Pop influences as well. While this album did contain some songs that were perfectly capable of being chart topping hits, the album only went to #83 on the US album charts, it would also be their last album to be in the Billboard Top 100.

During the Subterranean Jungle sessions Marky Ramone's alcohol use was at an increased level and he was kicked out of the band because of it. In fact drummer Billy Rogers plays drums on "Little Bit O'Soul" and "Time Has Come Today". Another interesting fact about this album is that Walter Lure, who was a member of Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers plays on Subterranean Jungle, he doubles all of Johnny Ramones guitar parts. The band would get a new drummer, one that would lead them into a different musical realm. Ritchie Ramone (real name Ritchie Reinhardt), came in as the bands drummer. As a result the band became a faster paced band entering a music style that some might call similar to Hardcore music. This was evident on the bands next album, 1984's Too Tough To Die. This album has been called by some critics "the last great Ramones album". Too Tough To Die Features 13 songs, nine of which were co-written with Dee Dee Ramone. He sings on two of the songs ("Wart Hog" and "Endless Vacation"). This album was also a return to Tommy Ramone and Ed Stasium fulfilling producing duties. The album came off sounding like a hard Punk album with Hardcore capabilities and strong vocal melodies. Another interesting fact is that the albums cover is homage to the movie A Clockwork Orange.

In 1986, Animal Boy was released. The album featured songs such as "My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)" and "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" a song written by Ritchie Ramone. In 1987, Halfway To Sanity was released. It would be the last album with Ritchie Ramone on drums, he left following a tour and Marky Ramone came back into the group now that he was sober. Ramone contributed a song "Pet Semetary" to the Stephen King movie of the same name in 1989. The song was also featured on the bands next album Brain Drain, which would be the last one to feature Dee Dee Ramone on bass. He was replaced by Christopher Ward otherwise know as CJ Ramone until the end of the bands career. It should also be noted that even though Dee Dee left the group to pursue his own musical projects (first his Dee Dee King rap album, then Dee Dee & The Chinese Dragons), but he would still give lyrics to the Ramones to use for their songs.


The Ramones continued touring and releasing albums until 1996. Their last album was Adios Amigos! in 1995. On August 4th, 1996 Ramones played their final live show. The concert featured special music guests such as Dee Dee Ramone, Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell, Lemmy (from Motorhead) and more. By the end of the bands career the band had played 2, 263 concerts. The Ramones remain an influential band and still have many diehard fans. On April 15th, 2001 Joey Ramone passed away after a battle with lymphoma. In 2002, The Ramones were the first Punk band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In June 2002, Dee Dee Ramone passed away after a heroin overdose and Johnny Ramone passed away in September 2004 after a battle with cancer. There is a great DVD documentary available titled End of The Century: The Story of The Ramones that features interviews from several of the band members and other musicians such as Joe Strummer. In 2007 a two DVD set was released titled It's Alive 1974-1996. It features 118 performances from different points in the bands career.

To view Part One of my Ramones History click here:
Gabba Gabba Hey!: The Ramones Story Part One

Play List:

1. Ramones - Little Bit O'Soul
2. Ramones - I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement (1975 Demo)
3. Dee Dee Ramone & The Chinese Dragons - What About Me
4. The Dead Boys - Ain't Nothin' To Do
5. Pointed Sticks - The Marching Song
6. Active Dog - Nothing Holding You
7. Rude Norton - Sea Cruise
8. The Pretty Faces - Rib
9. The Plasticines - I Could Rob You
10. Devil Eyes - Rip My Heart Out
11. Heroes & Villains - SDWC
12. Modern Lovers - Someone I Care About
13. Golden Hands - Communist Party
14. The Esquires - It's A Dirty Shame
15. Sound Box - Warm Your Mind & Soul
16. Simply Saucer - Bullet Proof Nothing
17. Iggy & The Stooges - Gimme Danger
18. Madness - Dust Devil
19. The Specials - Gangsters
20. New Strychnines - Strychnine
21. Talking Heads - 1-2-3 Redlight (Live Max's Kansas City 1976)
22. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Stagger Lee
23. Mando Diao - Mean Street
24. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Time
25. Television - Untitled Instrumental

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on August 18th, 2009.

Ramones Videos II:

She's The One & Go Mental (Old Grey Whistle Test 1978)
I Wanna Be Sedated
Psycho Therapy
Time Has Come Today

Gabba Gabba Hey!....The Ramones Story Part One & Show # 261

Ramones began in 1974. Taking their name from an early stage name of Paul McCartney (Paul Ramon), Ramones added the letter "E", dressed in black Harley leather jackets, ripped jeans and adopted "Ramone" as their stage name. Originally starting out as a three piece band in Forest Hills, New York, Ramones consisted of Joey Ramone (real name Jeffery Hyman) on drums, Johnny Ramone (real name John Cummings) on guitar and Dee Dee Ramone (real name Douglas Colvin) on bass/vocals. It would be at the suggestion of Tommy Ramone (real name Tommy Erdelyi) that Joey took over on vocals. With Joey as the lead singer the group needed a drummer, this role would be filled by Tommy Ramone. Influenced by Surf music/culture, TV, Movies, Popular Culture, bands such as The Stooges, New York Dolls, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Who, The Rolling Stones, T.Rex, Phil Spector and The Ronettes, The Ramones created a style of music that would be known as Punk Rock.

Ramones played their first live show in March of 1974 at their rehearsal space. The music was loud, fast, raw and short. It was stripped down Rock and Roll that was both simple and complex at the same time. Combined with their striking appearance (of leather jackets and ripped jeans) Ramones came off sounding and looking like nobody else. Soon after this, the band was playing shows at CBGB's in New York with bands such as Television and Blondie. By the time 1975 hit, Ramones were getting mention in magazines such as Rolling Stone and Melody Maker. Around this time they recorded a 15 song demo in hopes of getting a record deal. The demo was recorded in eight hours and contained 15 tracks. The demo was rejected by almost every label at the time, except one. In mid 1975, Sire Records signed Ramones to a record deal.


The Ramones first album, Ramones was recorded in February of 1976. Recording of the album took a total of 17 days and cost just over six thousand dollars to make. The music was defined as Punk Rock and it was one of the first albums in that genre. Ramones contained 14 songs, most barely over two minutes. The sound of the album was raw and it featured a unique mix. In one channel there were guitars and the other bass and drums, an effect that was used by early Beatles and Cream. It was produced by both Tommy Ramones and Craig Leon. The cover photograph, featuring the band leaning against a brick wall was taken by Roberta Bayley, who also took photos for Punk Magazine. The album charted at #111 on the billboard album charts.

Ramones featured many classic songs. The songs were credited to all of the band members, but Dee Dee Ramone helped come up with a lot of the songs. There were songs such as "Judy Is A Punk" a song about Ramones super fans, "Chainsaw" a song written by Joey after seeing the movie Texas Chainsaw Massacre and "Blitzkrieg Bop". Originally titled "Animal Hop", "Blitzkrieg Bop" can be analysed to have many meanings, but it is essentially just about having a good time at a concert. There were also songs such as "Beat On the Brat", "Loudmouth", "53rd & 3rd" and "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" that all add to this albums aura. Ramones toured a lot to support this album, but it wasn't until a performance in Britain that they would see a huge turnout. In July of 1976, the Ramones concert at the Roundhouse was attended by lots of adoring fans, and it would in turn help to influence a music scene that was beginning in the UK. Ramones were met by members of two bands that would in turn have a huge impact in their own scene Sex Pistols and The Clash.


Leave Home was released in 1977. Produced by Tommy Ramone and Tony Bongiovi, Leave Home did well on the UK album charts (#45), but not as well in the US (#148). The album featured songs such as "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment", "Pinhead" (inspired by seeing a movie titled Freaks), "Glad To See You Go", and "Swallow My Pride". There was also controversy due to the song titled "Carbona Not Glue". The song (which was a sequel to the song "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue") was removed from the album due to possible lawsuits, but did still make it onto some original pressings of the album. There was also a cover song on the album (as with every Ramones album) "California Sun". The song was originally done by The Rivieras.

Rocket To Russia followed Leave Home in November 1977. The album was produced by the same team of producers as the previous album (Tommy and Bongiovi), but this album was different than the previous two Ramones albums. Rocket To Russia was an album where the band showed off more of a Surf Rock influence. Rocket To Russia also brought in a variety of other influences such as Bubble Gum Pop and Pop music such as The Beatles. The album contained songs such as "Cretin Hop" (a song about crazed Ramones fans), "Rockaway Beach" (written by Dee Dee about an actual place in New York), "We're A Happy Family", "I Wanna Be Well", "Teenage Lobotomy", and "I Can't Give You Anything". There were also two cover songs on the album, "Do You Wanna Dance?"(by Bobby Freeman) and "Surfin' Bird (by The Trashmen).


The song "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" is also a well known Ramones track that is featured on Rocket To Russia. The song was written by Joey Ramone and when released as a single went to #88 on the US Singles charts and #22 on the UK Singles charts. The actual album Rocket To Russia went to #49 on the US album charts and #60 on the UK album charts. The album sleeve art was created by Punk Magazine editor/illustrator John Holmstrom, at the request of Johnny Ramone. While on tour, Ramones recorded a double live album in December of 1977, which was eventually released in 1979. It was titled It's Alive (which was also a reference to a horror film with the same title). In 1978, Tommy Ramone would leave the group as their drummer in 1978, after tiring of touring. He would continue to help out the band as producer. Next week I will do part two of my Ramones history.

Part Two of my Ramones history can be found here:
Rock N' Roll Radio: The Ramones Story Part Two

The Play List:

1. Pearl Jam - Brain of J
2. The Things - Some Kind of Kick
3. Wooly Bandits - Gonna Make It Right
4. Skeletones Four - Let It Snow
5. Gentlemen of Horror - Rich Kids
6. Animal Kingdom - Tension
7. The In Crowd - Blow Up
8. Clinic - Tomorrow
9. Little Claw - Frozen in the Future
10. Action Makes - Sand Worms (Rough Mix)
11. The Worst - I Don't Want You
12. The Astronauts - Montezuma
13. The Treblemakers - The Grudge
14. Love Me Nots - Come On Over
15. The Howlies - Howlies Sound
16. Young Rival - 4:15
17. Lou Reed - Vicious
18. Link Wray - Hidden Charms
19. Speed - She's All There
20. Rolling Stones - Get Yourself Together
21. Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent
22. Bob Dylan - Jolene
23. The Prime Ministers - My Turn
24. Bob Dylan - Shake Shake Mama
25. The Scavengers - True Love
26. Ramones - She's A Sensation

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on August 11th, 2009.

Ramones Videos I:

Judy Is A Punk (1974 CBGB's)
Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World (1975 Rehearsal)
Rockaway Beach (Don Kirshner 1977)
Blitzkrieg Bop (Musikladen 1978)
California Sun (Musikladen 1978)
Sheena Is A Punk Rocker (Musikladen 1978)

Hey Ho! Let's Go! & Show #123

This post used to feature information about the Ramones. For a longer more complete history on the Ramones visit these links:

Gabba Gabba Hey: The Ramones Story Part One
Rock N' Roll Radio: The Story of the Ramones Part Two

Here's the play list:

1. Television - Friction (alternate version)
2. The Damned - don't cry wolf
3. Undertones - family entertainment
4. Generation X - stars looked down
5. Buzzcocks - whatever happened to?
6. Buzzcocks - what do I get?
7. Sex Pistols - holidays in the sun
8. The Police - next to you
9. Ramones - what'd ya do?
10. Ramones - psycho therapy
11. The Clash - remote control
12. The Clash - police & thieves
13. The Saints - crazy googenheimer blues
14. The Diodes - weekend
15. Modernettes - new society
16. Hot, Hot, Heat - get in or get out
17. XTC - this is pop
18. Iggy Pop - five foot one
19. Talking Heads - sugar on my tongue (1975 CBS demo)
20. The Pretenders - time the avenger
21. Sloan - I can't sleep
22. Sloan - someone I can be true with
23. Radio 4 - packing up things on the scene
24. The D4 - trust nobody
25. Exploding Hearts - shattered (you left me)