Building upon the history of 60s garage rock and early rock’n'roll, the Ramones aggressive, simplistic sound played a key role in defining the sound of 70s punk.
Wearing their trademark black leather biker jackets, matching bowl-cut haircuts and all sporting the surname “Ramone”, the Ramones’ appearance represented the opposite of the non-challenging rock of the mid-70s. The band’s music was equally the antithesis of the schlock of timid music.
With Dee Dee’s throbbing bass carrying the simple repeated melodies and Johnny’s searing buzz-saw guitar providing a layer of musical haze aggravating bass melodies, the Ramones pushed the wild energy of rock’n’roll to its limits. A heavy emphasis on rhythm guitar and extremely short guitar solos emphasized the band’s amateurish sound. Explosive beats coupled with eighth- and sixteenth-note cymbal rhythms provided by Tommy, then Marky, fleshed out the band’s sound.
Your’s truly first saw the band on their Australian tour in late 1989 at the Palace in St.Kilda Melbourne. To say it was a classic gig is a severe understatement. I remember standing at the back of the hall just before the band hit the stage. When the first note of mayhem pounded through the PA system, I swear to God the entire room physically moved up and down in synchchronicity with the band’s cacophony of brilliance! What a show!
The pioneering band released their first officially authorized DVD, ‘Ramones Raw’ September 28 via Image Entertainment. (Australian release was today – December 2). From their humble beginnings in NYC’s East Village at CBGB’s to their 2001 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Ramones have stood the test of time with their immortal brand of music which continues to influence generations around the world. Fans in the U.K. had the chance to see ‘Ramones Raw’ on the big screen at this year’s Raindance Film Festival in London – the U.K’s largest independent film festival!
Produced, directed and edited by Ramones aficionado John Cafiero, ‘Ramones Raw’ combines vintage concert footage–shot on film in 1980 and archived for over 20 years- backstage hi-jinks and rare TV appearances fused with an array of home video from Marky’s extensive video library.
Pic: The definitive Ramones: Joey, Marky, Dee Dee & Johnny
For over 18 years, Marky Ramone kept a kind of video diary of the band’s travels around the world. Utilizing a handheld camcorder and capturing moments both monumental (the Berlin Wall, post-topple) and standard rocker ridiculous (the near riot they cause in places like Brazil) Marky wanted a memento of his time with punk’s pioneers, and Ramones: Raw is a scrapbook collection of such souvenirs, culled from over 200 tapes the drummer compiled. More a random collection of events and environments than a straight ahead narrative (it does try to follow the band’s post-mid 80’s career arc) this quasi-documentary meshed with a home movie clip compilation wants to give us the feel and the face of the seminal band as hard working road act. And it doesn’t skimp on the songs. Along with stellar live versions of “Blitzkrieg Bop” “I Just Wanna Have Something to Do” “Pinhead”and many others, the band can be seen in a fan created video (for the song “Touring” as well as in several TV appearances.
The DVD encompasses an eclectic mix of celebrity appearances including guitarist Robby Krieger of the Doors performing the classic “Take It As It Comes” live with the Ramones at the Hollywood Palladium in October 1992, described by Johnny Ramone as “one of the highlights of my career.” Fun cameos and TV clips include moments with Lemmy Kilmister, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie, Howard Stern, Bono and U2, Drew Barrymore and Carly Simon, to name a few.
Compiled and presented in a unique style, the DVD gives Pinheads and Ramoniacs everywhere an exclusive fly-on-the-wall perspective that’s the next best thing to being in the band. The DVD package includes an eight-page booklet inside and an exclusive back-cover caricature of the RAMONES by artist Tony Squindo (Metallica, Misfits), with art direction by John Cafiero. A special limited edition will be released that also includes simulated black leather texture packaging with a red foil seal.
