Dave The Punk

Kick In The Eye

BAUHAUS

I’m going a bit goth on you this week—partly because I love this band, and partly because tomorrow I’ll probably feel like I’ve had a kick in the eye… after spending the morning on an operating table. This is Kick in the Eye by Bauhaus.

Warhead

UK SUBS

Music was always more of an education to me than school ever was. This song, for example, taught me something I’ve never forgotten: the sun rises in the east and sets in the western world. This is Warhead by UK Subs.

Should I Stay or Should I Go

THE CLASH

About time we had some Clash. Originally released in 1982 as a double A-side, this only hit No.17 in the UK. Nearly a decade later, it topped the charts — thanks to a Levi’s ad. Not very punk, but still a proper banger.

No Survivors

GBH

Ready for a pogo? These Brummie lads sent this Cold War warning shot to world leaders back in 1981. It clearly worked — there was no nuclear war, and we’re all still here. This is No Survivors by GBH.

Chinese Takeaway

THE ADICTS

Time for something completely different. No Mohicans or bondage trousers for these Suffolk punks — just white suits, black boots and bowler hats. More Clockwork Orange than Kings Road. Their gigs were part gig, part confetti-filled carnival. This is Chinese Takeaway by The Adicts.

Open Your Eyes

LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH

In celebration of my successful eye op, here’s something appropriate. A punk supergroup with members from The Dead Boys, The Damned and Sham 69, this was their second single. Open your eyes… to Open Your Eyes.

Unexpected Guest

UK DECAY

Chances are you haven’t heard of UK Decay. One album, a handful of singles, and not a chart entry in sight. But they had a few fans—me being one. Rodney Trotter was another (check out his T-shirt in Only Fools and Horses). This is Unexpected Guest from 1981.

Trumpton Riots

HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT

Remember Trumpton? A kids’ show from the late ‘60s, repeated well into the ‘80s—though none of those episodes mentioned the social unrest. Luckily, this lot stepped in to fill the gap. Trumpton Riots, from Half Man Half Biscuit.

Where’s Captain Kirk?

SPIZZENERGI

A punk track was No.1 for seven weeks in the ‘80s — but not in the main charts. This was the first No.1 on the UK Indie Chart in January 1980. The band changed their name every year, which might explain why the Guinness Book never caught up. This is Where’s Captain Kirk? by SpizzEnergi.

Halloween

DEAD KENNEDYS

I love the Dead Kennedys, but let’s just say their best tracks aren’t exactly radio-friendly. Remember that one that made the Top 40 with zero airplay? Couldn’t even say the title on Top of the Pops. So instead, here’s one we can play… Halloween.

Human Error

SUBHUMANS

Saturday mornings as a teen meant vinyl hunting. One day I spotted an EP with a skull screaming into a mic. Eighty-five pence later, I was home, hooked, and playing all six tracks on loop. That skull? Now tattooed on my arm. This is Human Error from the Subhumans’ debut EP.

Subvert

ZOUNDS

By 1980, punk had splintered, and anarcho-punk was in full swing. Crass led the way, helping other bands release their own music. This was the fourth single on Crass Records—and my favourite. Subvert by Zounds.

Nobody’s Hero

STIFF LITTL FINGERS

This Belfast band grew up in The Troubles, and their early songs like Suspect Device and Alternative Ulster reflected that. But they’re all from the ‘70s, so instead here’s the title track from their second album—Nobody’s Hero.

Bad Man

COCKNEY REJECTS

Would you Adam and Eve it? No East End anthems yet! Let’s fix that. Bad Man was the Cockney Rejects’ third single and appeared on their cheekily named debut album, Greatest Hits Volume 1. Open your King Lears and listen to this Ding Dong.

State Violence State Control

DISCHARGE

Sorry Caz, you can’t dodge this one forever. You know how much I love this band—and it’s my birthday! Brace yourselves, listeners… this is State Violence State Control by Discharge.

Hanging Around

HAZEL O’CONNOR

After last week’s Discharge, I’ll go easier on you. Hazel O’Connor first caught my eye in Breaking Glass — also the name of her debut album. By her third, she was dating Hugh Cornwell from The Stranglers… which might explain this 1981 cover of Hanging Around.

Ieya

TOYAH

Another actor-turned-punk-pop star this week. Toyah Wilcox did films and telly before fronting a band simply named Toyah. Before the fame — and before narrating Teletubbies — they were a bit punky. This is my fave from that early era: get ready for some Zion, Zooberon and Necronomicon… this is Ieya.