mw@brunix.UUCP (Woo is me) (12/08/84)
Jeff Myers sent in this chunk of lyric: >>"We ain't go no friends, our troubles never end, >> No Christmas cards to send, Daddy likes men. >> We're a happy family, we're a happy family, >> We're a happy family, me, Mom and Daddy." However, this song is NOT their cover version of "Needles and Pins." This song is "We're a Happy Family." The two songs are on the same album--Rocket to Russia. I last saw the Ramones five years ago outdoors in Central Park. I was sixteen, and it was my first rock concert. The film Rock and Roll High School had just been released, so it could be said that the Ramones were at their peak. It was not the greatest concert I have even seen, but they were definitely alluring. They put on a good (loud) show, and you got your money's worth ($5 at the time). They really appreciated their audience. They were and still are very stripped down with very few effects or stage moves. They just played hard and hoped you would enjoy it. And you did. You almost had to enjoy it, because you were rooting hard for them. The one thing that has stopped the Ramones from any greater success has been, well, their limited talent. It took years before they started to tinker with their formula: short, repetitive songs with very few chords or musical sophistication. It took over a half dozen albums before they recorded a four-minute song, and that was a super version of the Chambers' brothers "Time Has Come Today." Their arguably worst album was "End of the Century," in which Phil Spector tried to make the Ramones sound like Ronnie Spector. What a mess. The Ramones also have no sex appeal. None. This is because they are ugly, and they don't wear makeup. (Twisted Sister does, and Kiss used to.) And they aren't androgynous. There are no women in the band. They have had lousy marketing. Their videos don't make even light MTV rotation. Most importantly, they have had no luck. Has their ever been a band which more resembled the fictitious "Spinal Tap?" The Ramones have even gone through three drummers, which I believe is exactly one fewer than "Spinal Tap" did. They have existed but been out of the limelight since 1975. I believe their highest charting single was "Rockaway Beach" which went to 87. They played gigs at amusement parks even after they had made a movie. The Ramones have been the best overlooked band of the last ten years. They are always my choice to become the next "Overnight Sensation." Let's face it, the music business is based on a lot of luck. Look at groups like Devo ("Whip It") and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts ("I Love Rock n Roll") who have hit it megabig with one song and have been able to rest on a coterie of devoted fans afterwards. Joan Jett, especially, tried and tried and then "Boom" struck it big. These four guys from Forest Hills have been trying for TEN years. I am still hoping that the "Boom" is just around the corner. All it takes is one song, and I am still waiting. Mason Woo brunix!mw