by
Rob Jones
I had the misfortune to miss The Ramones as a live entity-and, that is something I will always regret! As close as I got to the real deal was catching Marky Ramone on drumming duties for Osaka Popstar (in a support slot for The Misfits). It’s a pretty weak claim to membership of Da Brudderhood! There you go! I have also taken some salvage in the tributes afforded by The Rhondda Ramones and The Ramonas-but tonight it is The Ramoned at Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.
Ramones live aficionados have the upper hand by their actual presence at a gig by Joey, Johnny Dee Dee and Tommy (and the subsequent future members). However, the fast and furious fare of this band at their ultimate prime was the job of the four guys of The Ramoned; and, as such it offers yours truly and many others a chance to savour a unique delight. A selection of songs had been collated and these numbers were in essence to spearhead the greatest grooves created by the original act across a career that spanned 1974-2996. During this time the band played 2,263 concerts and recorded 14 studio and 4 performance albums. None of the first four personnel of The Ramones are still with us, but thanks to The Ramoned the passion, purpose and power of their mentors is still going strong. These lads have fire in their bellies, devilment in their souls and adrenalin in their systems! As recipients of this gusto the listener can only marvel at the pace and precision of this power pop perfection.
The song may state Here today gone Tomorrow but The Ramoned maintained a momentum that deserves to live on forever! We’re a happy Family, Judy is a Punk, Blitzkrieg Bop, Rockaway Beach, Beat on the Brat, Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment, Teenage Lobotomy, Sheena is a punk Rocker, I don’t wanna walk around with You, I don’t wanna go down to the Basement, Cretin Hop and Pinhead were amongst a clutch of countless over two dozen TNT tunes that were fired out in 45 minutes! It is time to offer the ultimate compliment in respect of The Ramoned-and, therefore we willingly yell ‘Gabba Gabba Hey’!
