Introduced by Wendy May for Summer Music Meltdown
The Blank Generation + Hastings Punk Choir
Raw footage capturing the birth of NY punk music legends in their humble beginnings including Talking Heads, Ramones, Patti Smith, Television, New York Dolls, and Blondie. With punk choir, live!
Director: Ivan Kral and Amos Poe
Cast includes: Debbie Harry, David Byrne and John Cale
includes introduction from Wendy May as part of Summer Music Meltdown
55 min / 1976 / USA
Over the summer we will be bringing you Summer Music Meltdown 2025, with classic music films ranging from soul, punk, reggae, jazz and Americana - this year including some choices from legendary DJ Wendy May.
Starring Debbie Harry, David Byrne and John Cale, this rare documentary shows the cream of New York new wave/punk filmed live at CBGBs when the scene was just beginning. Includes performances by Patti Smith, Blondie, Television, the Ramones, Talking Heads, the Heartbreakers, the Shirts, Wayne County, the Marbles, the Dolls, Miamis, Harry Toledo, and the Tuff Darts (w/Robert Gordon).
Shot on a single 16mm camera, largely live at the club, but also with some "out in the street" sequences, it's a vital, rare document of exciting and vibrant music. The film doesn't have the benefit of sync sound and is a mixture of live tapes and commercially available records, was dubbed on later when the film makers had cut their footage together. So it's all very punk, as it should be and this adds to the rough-n-ready quality.
Includes a live performance before the screening from Hastings Punk Choir, who practice weekly at the Electric Palace!
DJ Wendy May on The Blank Generation:
"I was 18 in 1976, I'd cut off my long hippy hair after going to my first Punk gig at London's Hope & Anchor, where I witnessed The Damned, Slaughter & The Dogs and Eater on that tiny stage, and despite being rather shocked by the look of the crowd, I loved the energy!
I then saw various bands over from NYC, Patti Smith, The Ramones, Dead Boys, Heartbreakers and others at The Roundhouse & these bands were something else entirely...no bondage trousers or swastikas in sight, I was hooked!
These bands came out of NYC's No Wave scene at CBGBs club, along with Blondie, Television, Richard Hell and Talking Heads, and Wayne County are all featured in this 1976 behind-the-scenes indie film, shot on a 16mm camera, Blank Generation captures NY Punk's raw, exciting and often wild bands at their beginnings. Oh and a note to add... I once made Wayne County breakfast in bed! Ha ha!"
Get a flavour of what to expect for our Summer Music Meltdown this summer with Wendy May's Meltdown playlist - bringing summer festival vibes to you right here in Hastings!
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