MOJO PRESENTS

15 RABBLE-ROUSING RARITIES… CRANK UP REALLY HIGH!

THIS MONTH IN MOJO WE CELEBRATE THE RETURNS OF PUNK’S matriarch and patriarch, Siouxsie Sioux and John Lydon, still finding new ways to surprise nearly 50 years into their startling careers. Lydon, for instance, tells us about a band who had a much bigger influence on him than the Ramones. “I thought Status Quo were purer,” he says. “I loved to stick my head in the PA when Quo were [playing] live. I don’t think the Ramones created quite that thriving for life.”

Contrarianism. Iconoclasm. A thriving for life. All these energies run through punk’s pioneers, even when a Status Quo influence isn’t immediately obvious. Take the margin-walkers gathered together for this month’s MOJO CD. For Punk Nuggets, we’ve ranged far and wide – from Manchester to Sydney, and many points in-between – to collect these 15 rabble-rousing rarities. Some of the artists went on to have worldwide Number 1 hits. Some launched illustrious labels. Others burned brightly but briefly, then disappeared from view. One even figures in MOJO’s ranks today. But all of them embody the best of that world-changing musical explosion of the late ’70s. Hey! Ho! Let’s go! (Sorry, John).

01 THE NOSEBLEEDS AIN’T BIN TO NO MUSIC SCHOOL

Inspired by the Sex Pistols, Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds operated as a kind of Manchester scene finishing school. Note the songwriting co-credit on this 1977 debut – guitarist Vini Reilly, soon to be leading the Durutti Column. Later Nosebleeds line-ups included The Cult’s Billy Duffy and one Steven Patrick Morrissey.