I love most genres of music, but there is one genre in particular that owns a larger piece of my heart. This one genre taught me to speak up and not be afraid of doing so. There comes a point in your life where holding your tongue and being quiet drains you. You just have to let it all out. Be careful with your words, but don’t look back; and don’t take any of it back. This genre was of course, Punk. To me, Punk is more than a genre of music- it’s a way of life, an attitude, a state of mind; it’s everything.

Today would’ve been the 60^th birthday of the bassist and founding member of the Ramones, Dee Dee Ramone.

As most would agree, the Ramones were blueprint of Punk rock. They had this attitude that was just inspiring and a way of playing that made you want to start a band. This band made you want to roam the street kicking a can out of boredom and frustration. Ramones said all you couldn’t say. Beat On The Brat, is it about an annoying kid in a pram? Or is it about those that follow trends and it bugs you? Take your own meaning dear reader; I doubt the Ramones would be for harming kids though. I’ll go with the latter.

What I loved so much, and still do, about the Ramones is that they loved music. They didn’t make music because it was something to do. They did it because they anted to, and done properly-could take them somewhere. The frustrations of being jobless is dire, it is truly the most soul destroying feeling in the world. Some people are made to feel worthless by people, others feel it by being unemployed. Ramones provided an escape to feeling like this. They made it okay to be frustrated and pissed off at the world. If you aren’t angry, then you don’t care for what is going on.

I can’t remember how old I was when I first heard the Ramones. I know I was really young, my uncle was a Punk and I was always fascinated by his music collection. I still am, and I remember seeing an album of the Ramones and just being in total awe of how they were on the cover. I looked at it and thought, “I want to be like that.” I wanted to have this attitude/vibe. Obviously I don’t posses it; I’m just some nerdy music lover who knows ridiculous bits of information about certain songs and artists (not in a “I know their favourite colour” kind of way.) I loved how they dressed. I remember once someone said to me, “You look like a cross between all of the Ramones.” Some would take offense, I fucking loved it. I think it’s my jacket, it’s got special powers. It hasn’t really; I just like to think it does. It’s my favourite item of clothing- I must say it is fake leather though; I’m not ashamed of that. When my mum came back from Edinburgh a few yars ago, she brought me back some old records- two of them were by the Ramones, probably one of the most treasured things I own. They just sound so raw on vinyl.

The band may not have had a remarkable amount of commercial success, but they were an influence to so many; and still are. They may not have always seen eye to eye and probably argued more times than believed- but they created amazing, intense music. Their short songs ripped right through you and gave you this indescribable energy that no other band could give you. I get pissed off when I see people wearing Ramones t-shirts and evidently not knowing what the band were about, and what they did for music. Certain high street clothes shop use photos of the band on t-shirts without knowing the importance of the band, causing people to buy the shirt and not knowing who is on it. They just treat the Ramones like a brand- which they aren’t and weren’t.

I will always believe I was born in the wrong era. I should’ve been born in the 60s so I could’ve fully experienced the Psychedelic movement and the Punk scene, that’s when music was well and truly exciting. No band has every caused so much excitement and energy as much as the Ramones did. I could write you thousands and thousands of words about how and why the Ramones are important- but those who truly love them, know exactly why they are. They know why the Ramones were such a vital force in music. They said all you wanted. They made it okay to feel certain things and more importantly- they made you feel okay with being who you are.

I know I usually go on about lyrics, but with the Ramones- it’s just everything. The frustration in Joey’s voice, the shortness of the songs, the ruckus in the music and the angst in their lyrics. They had it all, nobody else has done it like they did and nobody else ever will. They made you want to get up and do something; learn from it.