In news that’s bound to make you feel old, punk is turning 40.
Yes, the music of defiance and youth rebellion is now the same age as Ryan Reynolds, the first Rocky movie and U2.
And to celebrate, triple j’s older sibling Double J is putting on a month-long bash, celebrating Four Decades Of Disruption.
Double J will keep the punk party rolling throughout June, with 30 days of themed programming traversing the evolution of punk from its 1976 genesis – when the world got hit with debut albums from The Ramones and Blondie, debut singles from The Sex Pistols and The Saints and the first live shows from The Cramps, The Clash and Siouxsie and the Banshees – all the way through ’til now.
Dubbed PUNK IS CALLING, the month-long ode to paper clip earrings, bad attitudes and loud noises will feature exclusive chats with Aussie punk identities like Radio Birdman’s Rob Younger and The Living End’s Chris Cheney, feature-length specials on punk sub-movements hosted by the likes of Richard Kingsmill and Lindsay ‘The Doctor’ McDougall, and classic punk covers from Bob Evans, Adalita, Paul Dempsey and Jen Cloher.
Check out the full itinerary below, and remember you can tune into Double J on your mobile, digital radio, on Channel 200 on your digital TV or stream online at doublej.net.au.
Taking Over Double J’s Regular Programming In June Are:
The Spot: 2pm Mondays
Monday 6 June: Kim Salmon was one of the first Australians to embrace punk in Australia, with punk pioneers The Scientists influencing artists like Mudhoney and New York’s 90s indie scene, decades later. Monday 13 June: Rob Younger cofounded seminal Sydney punk band Radio Birdman in 1974, going on to influence countless bands and take Australian music to the world.
Monday 20 June: Punk rock, psychobilly legend Chris Cheney fronts The Living End, one of Australia’s most revered bands of the last 2 decades.
Classic Albums: 6pm Tuesdays
Sunday 5 June: X-Ray Spex Germ Free Adolescents (’78) is as relevant today as when it first came out.
Sunday 12 June: Green Day Dookie (’94) was a landmark record that brought punk to the masses.
Sunday 19 June: Loud, angry and political, Fugazi helped us channel the aggression with Repeater (’90).
Sunday 26 June: Frenzal Rhomb A Man’s Not A Camel (’99) is an Australian punk institution at their best!
J Files: 8pm Thursdays
Thurs 2 June: Punk in the US with Richard Kingsmill
Thurs 9 June: Punk in the UK with Karen Leng
Thurs 16 June: Punk in Australia with Lindsay McDougall
Thurs 23 June: Punk Women with Steph Hughes
Thurs 30 June: Punk Around the Planet with Josh Merriel
Artist in Residence: 3pm Sundays
40 years ago Ed Kuepper’s seminal Brisbane punk band The Saints released their pioneering first single, “(I’m) Stranded”, setting a template for countless punk rock songs to come. From The Saints, to his post-punk outfit Laughing Clowns, as well as his impressive solo work, Ed Kuepper has built a reputation as a prolific Australian artist. Join him as he shares gems from his extensive personal music library throughout June.
Plus some very special one off punk content in the form of…
Punk Covers
Inspired by punk rock and the DIY ethos, Aussie artists cover classic punk songs.
Monday 6 June: Bob Evans covers Buzzcocks ‘Ever Fallen In Love’
Monday 13 June: Adalita covers Gang of Four ‘Anthrax’
Monday 20 June: Paul Dempsey covers The Descendants ‘Bikeage’
Monday 27 June: Jen Cloher covers The Slits ‘Typical Girls’
Punk & Disorderly
8pm Saturday 11 June: A special edition Punk Party with music from 8 till late.
Ramones Live
12pm Monday 13 June: In 1980 The Ramones released ‘End Of The Century’ and hit Australian shores for the first time. triple j’s live music team recorded it, so you can hear the incredible gig at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.
