Ramones

We are enjoying some oldies this week as we celebrate 43 years since the release of punk icons the Ramones' second studio album 'Leave Home'. Released on Sire Records, the album saw the band take up a bigger budget and achieve further commercial success - it's certainly one of their most under-appreciated records.

Ramones - Leave Home

While 'Leave Home' is hardly the groundbreaking punk masterpiece that was their debut album, if you enjoyed that you are unlikely to shun the follow-up. It was the Ramones' first album to reach the UK charts so, while it will never be the album they were remembered for, it was an important part of their continuing commercial success.

Continue reading: Album Of The Week: The Ramones' Often Overlooked Sophomore Release 'Leave Home'

Martin Scorsese is set to direct a documentary movie about the acclaimed New York punk band Ramones ahead of the fortieth anniversary of their debut album in 2016. In addition to the film, a book and a play are also in the pipeline as well as a new clutch of remasters and merchandise.

Martin Scorsese will helm a Ramones documentary film, set for release in 2016

‘Da Bruddas’’ self-titled record was released on April 23rd 1976, and played a huge part in the punk revolution that was to ensue over the following year on both sides of the Atlantic. It is regularly cited as one of the greatest and most influential albums in the history of pop.

Continue reading: Ramones Documentary Movie To Be Directed By Martin Scorsese

Tommy Ramone, the last surviving member of New York punk band The Ramones whose raucous and energetic drummer defined the band's unique sound, has died at his home in Queens, aged 62.

Tommy Ramone [L] and Linda Ramone [R]

Ramone, born Erdelyi Tamasin Hungary, had been in hospice care after undergoing treatment for bile duct cancer. He played on the band's seminal first three albums, Ramones (1976), Leave Home (1977) and Rocket to Russia (1977). Later, he would leave to concentrate on studio work and was replaced in the group by Marc Bell, or Marky Ramone, however, he returned to co-produce the band's 1984 album Too Tough to Die. 

Continue reading: Tommy Ramone, Raucous Drummer With The Ramones, Dies Aged 62

Almost like the SXSW Festival of New York, the CBGB Festival will return this year with an impressive 700 artists in 150 venues across the state, plus 40 movie premieres from October 9th - 13th. 

The CBGB Festival made its debut last year, taking the name from the renowned music club in Manhattan founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973. The club was largely thought to be the origin of indie and punk rock in America and played host to some of the most influential artists of all time such as Ramones, Misfits, the Patti Smith Group, The Cramps, Blondie, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Talking Heads and many, many more.

All well as some no doubt stunning artists, both legendary and newly emerging, there will be a wide selection of film's making their premieres at the event, with The Landmark Sunshine Theater serving as the main film festival hub. As well as screenings from Danny Garcia's 'Looking For Johnny' about the guitar player Johnny Thunders, and Tony D'Annunzio's 'Louder Than Love - The Grande Ballroom Story', 'CBGB' the movie will make its opening night debut. Directed by Randall Miller, the film stars Alan Rickman as club founder Hilly Kristal who embarks on a major musical journey to bring to attention the most innovative bands of the age. It also features Malin Akerman as Blondie's Debbie Harry, Kyle Gallner as Lou Reed and Mickey Sumner as Patti Smith.

Continue reading: The CBGB Music And Film Festival Is Back For 2013 Bigger And Better Than Ever Before!

As part of a diligent plan to preserve and document American musical culture, Saturday Night Fever - the song that not only soundtracked one of the most popular films of the 1970s starring John Travolta but also came to define the disco era – has been added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. Washington Post reports that 25 songs have now been added to the ever-growing library of audio recordings, recognized for their “cultural, artistic and historic importance” with a view to preserving them for future generations.

In addition to Saturday Night Fever, the Simon & Garfunkel classic ‘Sounds of Silence’ has also been committed to the library, as have Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific.’ It’s not all musical content though; a D-Day recording made by radio journalist George Hicks has also been added, in order to preserve that historic moment. The Librarian of Congress, James H Billington has selected 25 recordings, on an annual basis, since 2002, advised by the National Preservation Board.

In a statement, Billington said “Congress created the National Recording Registry to celebrate the richness and variety of our audio heritage and to underscore our responsibility for long-term preservation, to assure that legacy can be appreciated and studied for generations.” This year’s additions span in age from 1918 to 1980 and include The Ramones’ debut album and the landmark collaboration between the composer Philip Glass and the theater director Robert Wilson, for ‘Einstein on the Beach.’ 

Continue reading: Disco Anthem 'Saturday Night Fever' One Of 25 Songs Added To Library Of Congress National Recording Register