New British Canon

When people think of the most influential artists in punk, there are some obvious optionsi. But a band that get overlooked for their considerable influence is the Buzzcocks. Think about it. Their 1977 Spiral Scratch EP was the first independently released punk record, which fused theidea of DIY to the punk ethos. It set a precedent for bands releasing their own music, their New Hormones label predating Rough Trade, SST, Touch and Go, Subpop and Dischord. Guitarist Pete Shelley and original frontman Howard Devoto also booked the Sex Pistols to play their first Manchester gig, making the band not just a London scene blip but a national presence, as well as kickstarting the Manchester punk/indie scene. Plus for better or worst, they invented pop punk and did it better than any other band since. But for this video I'll be focusing on their greatest moment: "Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't Have Fallen In Love With"

The Smiths were one of the most important bands of the 80s. Fronted by a celibate crooner in love with Oscar Wilde and the New York Dolls, with their music composed by a teenaged Byrds-obsessive, they were at odds with the music of the time. To see Morrissey flouting around with some gladioli on Top of the Pops, with Johnny Marr's jangling Rickenbacker backing him up, was a Eureka moment. They weren't like other bands, and that was the point. The Smiths released four untouchable studio albums and inspired a generation of teenagers. But their prolific output's quality was not constrained to their LPs: Even their b-sides were on par with their best work.

Influence is a strange thing. Just because a band is influential, doesn't necessarily mean the band is known because of their influence. People know Radiohead's OK Computer changed things. People are less aware of Massive Attack's Blue Lines and its aura of influence. Formed in Bristol in the late 80s, they made it so dance music didn't have to be all about speed, that it could be emotive and chilled. They made serious moves to make Hip-Hop outside of the US a legitimate thing. And most importantly, made it so Hip-Hop as a whole could seek to be introspective in its ideas rather than party-hard or political. While overall Massive Attack are more well known for their 1998 song “Teardrop”, their most important single was 1991's “Unfinished Sympathy”. While Its unusual structure and genre fusion are elements that get critics interested,

"Love Will Tear Us Apart" casts a mighty shadow on Joy Division's career. While the Manchester band recorded two studio albums, alongside a host of singles, demos and radio sessions, nothing seems to get as much hype as the song etched on lan Curtis memorial. And because of that I won't be talking about that already canonized song, but instead a cut off their monolithic 1979 debut album. Unknown Pleasures. Same too about "Disorder", "Atmosphere" or "Shadowplay". One that best exemplifies Joy Division's devastating use of space, their broodinganti-funk grooves and Martin Hannett's (producer of Buzzcocks' Spiral Scratch EP and Jilted John) experimental production. The song that cuts right to the heart of the singer and lyricist lan Curtis, his raw desperation and the cult of genius surrounding him. A song that inspired the next wave of post-punk and beyond, but also pointed to Curtis' end itself. This is the story of "She's Lost Control"

The UK Singles Chart used to mean something. Now, not so much. But before the age of streaming, a number one single was an achievement to be proud of. Especially when the artist wasn't your stereotypical pop act. Many influential acts never even touched the chart's apex, not even close. But yet Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, The Clash, Arctic Monkeys and Manic Street Preachers have taken the top spot, and there's a sense of accomplishment in the face of impossible odds. But rarely if ever has a number one single captured a moment in history as concisely as The Specials did in 1981. While tracks by Madness and The Selecter existed within the two tone genre, "Ghost Town" remains the most important. The band's legacy is audible in artists as diverse as Massive Attack, The Streets and Lily Allen, but their second number one single managed to capture the malaise of the British public, the strain of unemployment and the tension of cultural unrest. This is the story of "Ghost Town"