The Jazz Guy’s Guide to Punk

Pierre-Jean Lavigne has been a DJ and host various radio shows and podcasts since 1999.  His involvement in the music scene has not only enabled him to play at numerous festivals, but also open for many of his favorite acts. Here are his favorite punk songs.

Ramones – Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World

Thundering through this track like a bull, Marky Ramone takes a cue from early Art Blakey circa “Holiday for Skins”. The quartet also takes a turn for the unexpected with, not only a rhythm change, but a whole new theme bringing its 2 chord approach to 4.

Minor Threat – It’s in my Eye

As per jazz’s great divide between East and West, Minor Threat could not have been formed on the golden shores of the Pacific. This sense of righteous urgency was the driving force behind bebop, where straight edge counterbalances Birdland’s strict “no dancing” rule.

Fidlar – White on White

The psychedelic and repetitive approach of Fidlar on this seminal self-titled album should’ve come out on CTI records in 1972. We’re talking VSOP/Freddie Hubbard slap-in-the-face-and-make-me-listen music.

Devo – Gut Feeling

Devo came on the scene, ushering in new wave like Grover Washington with smooth jazz. A whole new genre was born and people could dance in clubs without the fear of getting hurt by crashing into studded jackets.

Lightning Bolt – Assassins

Jazz took a turn for the weird in the ‘60s with Ayler, Coleman, and ultimately Coltrane. The music became a vehicle for one’s cosmic spirituality, an international, transcendental language everyone could tune in to. Raw, intense, dangerous, bewitching: Lightning Bolt.