Punk in London [DVD]

With Punk now the stuff of postcards, it's good to have Punk in London, a 1977 feature that taps the source of what the scene was all about. German director Wolfgang Büra interviews a number of players and promoters but, apart from concert sequences by The Adverts and The Clash--in gritty form on their ill-fated first European tour--the emphasis is on "almost were" bands. Büra's reticent and awkward questioning won't win awards for journalism, but interviewees are prepared to open up to him. There's political hard-talking from members of Chelsea, a chat with the unassuming bassist of The Lurkers (and parents!), priceless interview footage with Kevin Rowland, then in Birmingham band The Kiljoys; best of all, the laconic roadie of Subway Sect, a true leveller well aware that the whole "Punk thing" will fall victim to commercial pressure like counter-cultures before it.

On the DVD: The 1977 film reproduces decently, its faded realism appropriate to the subject, and the sound captures the sweaty environs of London's club scene with raw immediacy. A pity, though, that sound and vision in the interviews weren't better synchronised. There are 21 access points; The Clash sequence is repeated with German subtitles (though markedly inferior picture quality), and an extended adverts sequence with German-only offstage banter. Overall, a quirky package, and a quirky documentary--but with a sincerity and authenticity that no "Best of" could ever hope to capture.--Richard Whitehouse

English
Region 2

Tracklist:

1. The Adverts - Gary Gilmore's Eyes 2. Jimmy Pursey Interview 3. Chelsea Interview 1 4. Chelsea - Right To Work 5. Chelsea Interview 2 6. X-Ray Spex - Oh Bondage: Up Yours! 7. Poly-Styrene Interview Part 1 8. X-Ray Spex - Identity 9. Poly-Styrene Interview Part 2 10. Lurkers Interview 11. The Lurkers - Shadow 12. The Red Cow Club 13. The Jolt- Unknown 14. Jolt Interview 15. The Jolt - You're Cold 16. Miles Copeland Interview 17. The Electric Chairs - (You Make Me) Cream In My Jeans 18. The Killjoys - It Could Be Me 1 19. The Killjoys - It Could Be Me 2 20. Kevin Rowland Interview 21. The Killjoys - At Night 22. The Rough Trade Record Shop 23. The Adverts - One Chord Wonders 24. Subway Sect - Ambition 25. Subway Sect - Out Of Touch 26. Subway Sect Interview 27. Rat (Damned Roadie) Interview 1 28. Sounds Newspaper 29. Teddy Boys Interview 30. The Jam - Carnaby Street 31. The Jam - In The City 32. Jean Jaques Burnell Interview And A Cynics View Of Punk 33. The Boomtown Rats - Do The Rat 34. Rat (Condemned Roadie) Interview 2 35. The Clash - Complete Control 36. The Clash - Hate And War 37. The Clash - Police And Thieves 38. The Clash - Garageland