Punk rock is one of the most daring brands of music. Even though the genre is mostly based around power chords and simple structures, its format is based around a willingness to be bold. Punk has always been open to re-inventing itself since its beginning in the 1970s, and it's spun off into numerous sub-genres. Art punk is a spin-off that has its own complexities, and its intricate form expands on what bands like the Ramones and The Clash did. Here are some art punk songs that show what can be done with three chords.
1. Wire - "French Film Blurred"
This tune from Wire's "Chairs Missing" defines the ominous side of art punk. Featuring walls of multi-layered guitars building off of each other, "French Film Blurred" shows what can happen when a punk band applies a scary mood to their songwriting. Featuring a haunting vibe with mysterious lyrics. "French Film Blurred" shows how art punk can be disturbing and outright nightmarish.
2. Talking Heads - "With Our Love"
Talking Heads' "More Songs About Buildings and Food" gives a peculiar view of art punk with this tune. Going off of a jittery guitar line that scrambles up and down your ears, "With Our Love" establishes a nervous groove. Steady drumming and a tasty bassline bring out the funk elements of the song, and David Byrne's strained vocals make this song even better.
3. Television - "See No Evil"
Television's "Marquee Moon" gets off a to a great start with this song. Clean guitars make up the backbone of the song, and Television already demonstrates their unique aura in the field of 1970s punk. The guitars swirl around each other constantly, complimenting each other and building on previous themes in a complex manner.
4. Pere Ubu - "Street Waves"
This selection from Pere Ubu's "The Modern Dance" demonstrates the offbeat elements of art punk. Scrappy riffs play over a wash of synthesizers, and the song's groovy bassline underlines David Thomas' pained style. "Street Waves" is capped with a wild guitar solo that recalls The Velvet Underground, and the song breaks down into a quieter part that lowers the intensity.
5. Devo - "Uncontrollable Urge"
Devo's "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!" is perfectly represented with this song. A feeling of restless energy is all over the song's lyrical content, and the exuberant aura is reflected with the skittish nature of the instrumentation. "Uncontrollable Urge" sounds like it's ready to burst out of its cage, and the song shows Devo's creative interpretation of art punk.
6. Magazine - "Definitive Gaze"
This is the first track of Magazine's "Real Life", and it already shows Magazine's artsy intentions. "Definitive Gaze" marries the stripped down feelings of punk with higher ambitions, and glowing synthesizers create a gorgeous atmosphere that is instantly memorable. The angular guitars connect the song to the snottiness of punk, but "Definitive Gaze" sounds far more like Brian Eno and Roxy Music than the Ramones.
Art punk is truly a sub-genre that's worth your time. In addition to being a hidden gem of 1970s rock music, it shows how punk was already starting to go off into different directions. Art punk is full of lengthy songs and odd instrumentation that expands what punk can do, and it shows how intelligent methods can be applied to the genre. Art punk is an amazing spin-off of punk rock, and it demonstrates what can be done if you think outside of the box.
