Generation X

This was the start of it all for pop music's infamous, motorcycle accident victim, Billy Idol. While I'm not sure if his trademark, Elvis style lip curl was yet developed for this first, punk album, I do know that this record beats the socks off of any of Billy's later solo efforts. Forget all about "Cyberpunk" and those silly dreadlocks Billy tried to sport to revitalize his career, and think about that bleached, spiky hair and the always fashionable spiked, leather bracelets. This is a true gem among the mass of first wave punk records put out in the late 70's.

While not as crucial as recordings by such greats as The Sex Pistols, The Clash, or The Jam, Generation X had a knack for writing good, hook laden, punk songs. This album, their first, is by far their crowning acheivement, and should be a part of any good, punk record collection. I've always been a huge fan of two of songs in this album's repetoire: the amazing and downright incredible reflection on punk's quick rise to public conscience, "One Hundred Punks Rule", and the witty commentary of "Promises Promises".

From “One Hundred Punks Rule”-

A hundred punks run with total suss A hundred good mates you know you can trust There's never no bother and there's no fuss Check out any wall - one hundred punks rule One hundred punks rule

From “Promises, Promises”-

We made our shirts with sprays and knives Then we saved up for weeks for Malcolm's strides Our hair was short we said what we thought We'd never be scared [we'd] never be bought Never sell out like they did - they did

It could be said that Generation X was cut from the same mold as bands like The Clash and The Pistols, but unlike those two bands who received so much attention and acclaim from music fans, Generation X has always held a much smaller part in early, English punk history. You'll see more mentions in the various tomes on the English punk legacy of Billy as a part of the crowd surronding the Sex Pistols, than you will on his early efforts as a musician. But, Billy was able to craft competent, well meaning lyrics to front a band with a great deal of pop sensiblities to back up their raw, aggressive take on punk. They did manage to record and release three albums, and while the other two may be a little weak in points, this debut release shines from start to finish.

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