Blitzkrieg Bop
Blitzkrieg Bop were formed in early 1977 in Cleveland England and took their name from The Ramones song of the same name. It was between them and a band called Dogdirt who was the first punk band from that region! Great first single Let’s Go/Life is Just A So So/Bugger Off. It got favourable reviews in the music weeklies and sold out of its initial release of 500 on Mortonsound. It was then was re-released on Lightning Records.
Blank Frank (Frank Hodgson) on Bugger Off
Our first penned song was entitled ‘Bugger Off’, a succinct send up for the rock’n’roll minimalist, it was an example of anti-art…The three lines were written only to rhyme with each other.
You think I’m a bloody fool
You laugh at me you think it’s cool
You wanna throw me in a muddy pool
Well Bugger off!What can you say ….but very dada !
What can you say ….but very dada !
On ‘Let’s Go‘…
It was well received by the press even though it was a home recording of a song that was written in five minutes.” From local fanzine Teeside Smells #1
In fact Blitzkrieg Bop’s Let’s Go is a classic punk rock cut with its gentle initial piss take of San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) and slow build up before its speeded up denoument that justifiably deserves its regular place on those punk compilations that regularly pop up.
The band also featured Gloria (Anne Hodgson – no relation to Blank Frank) on guitar but she left in September 1977 for a band called The Slaves who never got anywhere and she quit the business.
A second single followed (You’re Like A) UFO” / “Viva Bobby Jo that showed singer Blank Frank’s ability to both hold a tune and a more keyboard driven sound. It also featured his girlfriend on the minimalist cover sticking two fingers up.
Some high profile gigs, including what should have been a real boost for the band joining the Slaughter & The Dogs tour with Eater to support their Do It Dog Style album, unfortunately, collapsed due to poor management and organisation.
But it wasn’t to last, as both Blank Frank and drummer decamped to join local band Basczax effectively splitting Blitzkrieg Bop.
At their best Blitzkrieg Bop sound like a raw 60’s garage punk band and that’s a big compliment. More energy than expertise and really that’s all you need.
BLITZKRIEG BOP – (You’re Like A) UFO (live Teesside Poly, 25th February 1978
Check out John Hodgson’s fantastic website for loads more info
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