Gabba gabba hey - learn me some Ramones

Arch Guru XX

So recently I picked up the Ramones Anthology, a 2-disc compilation of songs from the majority (if not all, I'm not sure) of their albums. Prior to listening to these discs I had very little exposure to the Ramones, and I've discovered that I really, really like their stuff. But I still know jack-all about their other albumns.

What's good? What's bad? Why?

Side question - if I dig the Ramones, what other bands should I look into? Kinda new to the whole punk thing, I've mainily listened to rock/alt rock/grunge/metal in the past, if that helps with band suggestions at all.

Thanks!

JeffH

to be honest, you probably have everything you need with the ramones anthology, their later stuff was pretty bad and you can pretty much collect all of their awesomeness in a 2 disc set.

If you're new to punk and like the ramones, check out the Misfits, specifically collection 1 + 2. More of the same catchy 3 chord beats with plenty of ohs and whoahs.

Kubrickon

As a Ramones fan, it would be easy for me to say that pretty much all Ramones = Great, the only difference between songs it the level of greatness.

When I first got into the Ramones, I did the same as you: Got a compilation, got interested, and then needed more. Of course the internet was a rare commodity in those days, so I had no one to ask and just started buying. This tactic never really let me down.

What I would recommend might not be the norm, but I would say: try and find some of the live albums next. The energy these guys put during a live performance is incredibly infectious and has the ability to make you a fan for life.

Greatest Hits Live is good for a beginner, but I've always preferred "We're Outta Here!" as a live recording of their final performance.

Studio wise: You can't go wrong with the self-titled debut, and I'm a fan of Road to Ruin.

Hope that helps!

FishMist

Personally, I think that Road to Ruin and Pleasant Dreams are duds, but everything else is sweet.

Zeon

Reagan Youth, The Exploited, Roxy Music, Generation X

You can also look at whos featured on the SLC Punk soundtrack, they had a lot of really good 70's and 80's punk bands featured in that movie.

Alternatively, go to a smaller indie record store and look in the punk section and just pick up anything that looks interesting.

ViolentChemistry

:whistle:RIVERDALE STOMP BABY, LET'S GO!:whistle:

Improvolone

While they go into different areas, I do love some Clash and Sex Pistols

Red Leg

Some people may not know it, most would, but Johnny was a die hard Republican and loved Reagan. Bonzo Goes to Bitburg is a great song, and is made even better once you read a little more into it.

If you want to hear some good "tribute" stuff, of which there are probably a dozen, I'd suggest staying away from "We're a Happy Family." It's pretty terrible and just feels like someone sucked any kind of fun out of their songs and performed them for a quick buck. Operation Ivy, way back, actually did a Ramones cover. The only version I heard was terribly recorded, but it still sounded good, and was pretty rockin'. I'm sure you can find it somewhere.

Some bands that I always felt carried on the spirit, if not the sound, of the Ramones were The Queers, MTX, (Mr. T Experience) Screeching Weasel, The Dwarves, The Vandals, and The Fairlanes. There is more or less a subgenre of punk that encapsulates Ramones-like lyrics and sounds, so there is more than enough of a pool to draw from.

A lot of people are just recommending old punk bands, which I don't know if it is what you are looking for. If you want catchy, light hearted punk with more pop than substance, I think you're going to want to look more into "Bubblegum punk."

ViolentChemistry

Incidentally, the Riverdales were made up of members of Screeching Weasel. I just think that under The Riverdales they sound an awful lot like the Ramones.