Punk - The Shot Heard Round the World Artwork

American Song

American Song is a podcast that traces the origins and development of American - and ultimately world-wide - forms of modern musical entertainment. Over time, we will trace every major genre from its origins through the current day.American Song looks at the development of our music through the lens of social, political, and economic changes that were occurring in each case, and we'll feature the most important musicians in each genre.Every episode is chock-full of the music we love and where possible, we include archival interviews so you can hear about, in the actual words and voices of these great musicians and singers, the motives and passions that drove their creativity.

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American Song

Punk - The Shot Heard Round the World

August 06, 2024 • Joe Hines • Season 4 • Episode 3

Punk may have been born in America, but it had many homes around the world. In every place it went, punk became part of the struggle for social change.

Punk's roots are in the blues, music made for expressing struggles and refusing to accept things the way they are. With heritage like this, it should be no surprise that it moved people and shook things up in the powerful ways it did!

Join us, as we see how punk expressed the real lives of the people making and listening to the music in far away places like the UK, the USSR, South Africa and East Germany. Witness the remarkable impact the music had on the social fabric of the times - showing that music really can change the world!

This is an inspiring story of people pushed into a corner, and battling their way out, armed with guitars, drums, and a pen.

Warning: This episode includes quotes of song lyrics, including some "f-bombs". If you have young children around, you may want to choose an appropriate time to listen.

In This Episode:

Robert Johnson
Iggy Pop

English Punk

The Sex Pistols
The Clash
Malcolm McLaren
Richard Hell and the Voidoids
The Jam
Bono
Elvis Costello
The Alarm

Punk from the USSR

Grazhdanskaya Oborona
Avtomaticheskie Udovletvoriteli

South African Punk

Fokofpolisiekar
Kalahari Surfers
National Wake

East German Punk

Namenlos
Schleim Keim
Wutanfall