The Punks
The Punks | |
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Waterford, Michigan , United States | |
Genres | |
Years active | 1973 | -1977
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Past members |
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The Punks were an American
History
Active years 1973-1977
The Punks formed in Waterford, Michigan, outside of Detroit in 1973.
The group made use of occasional costumes and theatrics customary of the
By 1974 the once thriving Detroit rock scene had dissipated and most of its venues either folded or switched their focus to other musical styles.[1][5] According to Alan Webber, "We were left going, 'OK, there’s nothing more for us here. Let’s make our own noise."[1] Sensing the futility of trying to remain in Detroit, in early 1977, the band changed its name to the End, and re-located to New York in hopes of making it in the thriving punk rock scene there, but the band was unable to gain a sizable following or land a record deal and ended up out of money and disillusioned.[1][2] They returned to Detroit and essentially became dormant, ceasing to play, except for occasional private get-togethers—in the words of Alan Webber "just to entertain ourselves...we never had an official, ‘Well, we’re done.’"[1][2]
Later developments
The former members of the group moved on to other endeavors. Vocalist William Kuchon, spent time working in the film industry in California. Guitarist Alan Webber is retired and living in Pontiac.[1] Bassist Rod McMahon is a heating and cooling contractor in Auburn Hills, and guitarist Steve Rockey is retired and living in Grand Blanc, Michigan.[1] Webber’s younger brother Craig, the Punks’ original drummer, died in 2011, though another younger brother, Paul, also plays drums.[1] At the turn of the millennium, a Detroit web site, MotorCityJams.com, chronicled the group's career and helped organize the 2003 release of a limited edition CD culled from some of the band's assorted demos and recordings entitled The Most Powerful Music on Earth.[1][5] It was subsequently distributed by Italy's Rave Up Records on LP in 2005.[1][7] Many of the tracks have made their way onto YouTube and other internet sites.[1]
The last time The Punks played together privately was in 2011 before drummer Craig Webber died.[1] They reunited again in 2015 (with Craig's brother Paul Playing drums), at the Motor City Music Awards, where they were introduced by Violent J of The Insane Clown Posse as "Detroit Legends". Toronto filmmaker Bennett Phillips, in association with Chains of Madness Motion Pictures, has begun work on a documentary about the band to be titled My Time’s Coming: The Story of The Punks.[1][8] Their song "My Time's Comin'" was used in the soundtrack for the March 13th and 20th (2016) episodes of the television series, Vinyl, co-created by the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and director Martin Scorsese, in which the Nasty Bits, a fictitious band headed by a lead singer and front man played by Mick Jagger's son James Jagger, attempt to record parts of the song."[1][6] The show's creators indicate that other songs by the punks may be used in future episodes."[1] Alan Webber indicates that interest in the band could justify release of some of the other unreleased songs in their archive: "there were other recordings we did--I’ve got tons of material we did over the years...And the rest has been history--and possibly a future".[1]
Membership
- William "Frantic" Kuchon (lead vocals)
- Alan Webber (guitar)
- Steve Rockey (guitar)
- Rod McMahon (bass)
- Craig Webber (drums)
Discography
Compilations
- The Most Powerful Music on Earth (CD, Motor City Music, 2003)
- The Punks (LP, Rave Up Records, 2005)
See also
- Death - early-mid 1970s proto-punk band from Detroit
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Graff, Gary (March 15, 2016). "Waterford Band the Punks Lives Again Thanks to HBO's "Vinyl"". The Oakland Press. ©The Oakland Press. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Wright, Alan (2003). "The Punks: The Most Powerful Music On Earth (Motor City Music)". Cosmik Debris. Alan Wright. Archived from the original on 2016-04-20. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
- ^ a b c d cobwebsandstrange, n/a. "The Punks: A Transitional Noise". Punk Muzik. Punk Muzik.com. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ "Detroit Music Awards". Getty Images. Getty Images. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c Superior, Moth R. (October 4, 2015). "The Punks - s/t A.K.A. "The Most Powerful Music on Earth" 1973". The Heavy Underground of the 70s. London: Heavy Underground of the 70s.com. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ a b Brodsky, Rachel (March 11, 2016). "Hear Iggy Pop and Alison Mosshart Cover '70s Tracks for HBO's 'Vinyl'". Spin. SpinMusic, a division of SpinMedia Group. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ "The Punks (2) – The Punks". Discogs. Discogs®. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
- ^ Chains Of Madness Pictures, n/a. "My Time's Coming: The Story of The Punks (promo)". Vimeo. © Vimeo, Inc. Retrieved June 18, 2016.