Sex Pistols at the Great Southeast Music Hall — Jan. 5, 1978
Delayed by visa troubles, the Pistols missed their New York tour dates, so they wound up playing their first U.S. show in Atlanta. They opened with "God Save the Queen," after which Johnny Rotten told the crowd: "You can all stop staring at us now. We're ugly and we know it." Nine days later, the band was history.
Iggy Pop at 688 — 1980
The post-Stooges Iggy played at 688 every night for a week a few months after the club opened, forming a meaningful relationship with the metal pole in the middle of the stage. His set list, written on the wall, remained there for years afterward.
Ramones at the Agora Ballroom — early 1980s
Joey and the boys played Atlanta many times from the late '70s through the mid-'90s (before they died), but are most fondly remembered from their shows at the Agora.
Black Flag at 688 — July 23, 1985
This gig by these California hardcore pioneers was recorded on newfangled videotape and later broadcast on the USA Network's "Night Flight."
Dead Kennedys at the Metroplex — Nov. 23, 1985
With locals Neon Christ opening, Jello Biafra and company delivered their scorched-earth revolutionary polemics with warp-speed urgency.
Bad Brains at the Metroplex — Jan. 18, 1986
The D.C.-based reggae-core outfit was a perennial 'Plex favorite. The band would furiously work a groove until singer H.R. would leap from the balcony onto the stage, grab the mic and the show would begin.
Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics at the Metroplex — Nov. 19, 1987
The opening act was D.C. hardcore act Scream, featuring future Nirvanan Dave Grohl on drums. Sporting a shaggy blond Mohawk and nipple spikes, WOW ended the gig by cutting a guitar in half with a chain saw.
Circle Jerks at the Metroplex — Dec. 16, 1987
Besides the fact that this was a kick-ass show, it was chosen because the author of this article recalls eating concrete when he stage-dove and nobody caught him.
COMMENTS
RE: 8 greatest punk shows in Atlanta
Posted by coconutaction on 11.05.08 @ 04:30 PM
Circle Jerks, Dec 83, Metroplex
Black Flag/Meat Puppets/Nig Heist, April 84, 688.
Anyone see the inaugural Anti Heroes show with Neon Christ, early 84, in L5P? I think the name of the space was called The Fall Out Shelter but that was a long, LONG time ago.
RE: 8 greatest punk shows in Atlanta
Posted by Rollergirl Photographer on 10.06.08 @ 02:18 PM
Holy cats! Talk about flashbacks! I remember seeing Chris and the Restraints at Lums! Chris was one of those guys who was nice if he liked you. I guess he liked me. I was shocked and apalled when I found out his darker side.
On a happy note - I remember seeing the Violent Femmes at 688, being mobbed at 688 by people who thought I was Thomas Dolby (who was playing across the street at the Fox that night), and buying a self-published, photocopied and hand stabled "book" from 6'5" black man called "Hot Nig Love". Yes, it was RuPaul!
Those were some good time.
RE: 8 greatest punk shows in Atlanta
Posted by ethel corn on 10.06.08 @ 07:30 AM
Butthole Surfers!!!
Why wont the Butthole Surfers come back to Atlanta?
They were the best thing that ever hit this town... and they're touring again! Not to mention all the other bands that seem skip over us... no matter that they have a 14 hour layover at Hartsfield/Jackson.
We have some good local acts, and Helios Creed is gonna play tonight even, but where are all the excellent bands between local and clear channel?
-BHS fan