Generation X - King Rocker

I know what your thinking, “King Rocker” that’s a pit poppy and by no means the best “Generation X” single, and I would agree with you.

But as is often the case with Punk records, it’s the b-side that is the reason for this posting.

“Gimme Some Truth” was a protest song from John Lennon, originally released on his “Imagine” album in 1971. Lennon was protesting about deceptive politicians (what’s changed).

In the lyrics “Tricky Dicky” was used (see Lyrics at bottom of posting) this was a reference directly to Richard Nixon, and became increasingly relevant with the 1972 Watergate scandal and subsequently the nickname stuck with Nixon.

I’m a big fan of covers if they are done well, and in my opinion this one is. Recorded live in 1977 for a John Peel session, Generation X has ‘punked’ up the song and made a few minor changes to the lyrics. This for me was the only reason for buying this single, as I was never a great fan of “King Rocker”.

Band: Generation X
Label: Chrysalis
Year: 1979
Tracks:
1. King Rocker
2. Gimme Some Truth

If you like these tracks go and buy this album; both sides are now on the CD version:

Valley of the Dolls

GIMME SOME TRUTH (John Lennon Lyrics)

I'm sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
I've had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky
Is gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of hope
Money for dope
Money for rope

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky
Is gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
Money for dope
Money for rope

I'm sick to death of seeing things
From tight-lipped, condescending, mama's little chauvinists
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth now

I've had enough of watching scenes
Of schizophrenic, ego-centric, paranoiac, prima-donnas
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky
Is gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
It's money for dope
Money for rope

Ah, I'm sick and tired of hearing things
from uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocrites
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now

I've had enough of reading things
by neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now

All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth.

Gen X - Dancing With Myself 7"

The first single released under the shortened name of 'Gen X' was 'Dancing With Myself' a little more commercial sounding than their earlier material but still has some cracking 'Tony James' guitar riff's.

I mainly posted this for the still OOP b-side 'Ugly Rash', which was also recorded as a dub version unsurprisingly called 'Ugly Dub' (which was on the b-side of the 12" of this single, of which I can't seem to find). 'Ugly Rash' isn't the greatest of songs but it's worth a listen.

Dancing with myself got to number #62 n the UK charts and was later re-released in 1982 as a four track EP (I will post this later on) and managed to climb two places higher to number #60. It was also was later re-recorded by Billy Idol as a solo artist for his first single in 1981 but failed to chart in the UK but did get to #102 in the US, and as you all know this didn't stop him from going on to much bigger things.

So give it a try and see what you think.

Band: Gen X
Label: Chrysalis
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Dancing With Myself
2. Ugly Rash

Ripped from glorious scratched (the b-side very scratched) vinyl

If you like this then your in luck as you can still download their third album 'Kiss Me Deadly' which I still really rate (I have a cassette version which has a slightly different track list - check out the comment on Amazon and you will see what I mean). As mentioned above Ugly Rash is not on this collection.

Kiss Me Deadly

Gen X - Gen X 4 EP 7"

As mentioned by Kes in the comments for the 'Dancing With Myself' post, 'Gen X' also released this 4 track EP. My version is the 7" clear vinyl but according to Kes there was also a 12" version.

So you get 4 tracks, the first is 'Dancing With Myself' no changes, I guess another attempt to get this great track better recognised. The next track 'Untouchables' is taken of their excellent third album 'Kiss Me Deadly'. The standout track for me is the cover version of an old Gary Glitter album track called 'Rock On' you can't fail to hear the trademark 'Hey' and Gen X cover it brilliantly. Last up is 'King Rocker' again a re-release of the original single. You also get 'Steve Jones playing on Untouchables and Rock On, what more could you want? So leave a comment and tell me how you agree 'Rock On' is the standout track (well only if you agree).

Band: Gen X
Label: Chrysalis
Year: 1981
Tracks:
1. Dancing With Myself
2. Untouchables
3. Rock On
4. King Rocker

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

You can still get the first two tracks and more on the excellent album 'Kiss Me Deadly' here:

Kiss Me Deadly