The Lurkers (Punk Rock)

The Lurkers were a band from Fulham (London) formed in 1976 and managed by Mike Stone (known for his work with Lou Reed, Queen, the Beatles and many more). More US than many American bands, the Lurkers released a first album in 1978, the aptly named Fulham Fallout. It holds 14 tracks of cheesy punk that captures the essence of the Ramones. These ancestors of the slacker have a lot to tell us about the party rock that the 2010′ scene is finally transcending. With this album, you tell yourself that the Lurkers deserve a place among the best UK punk bands of the decade, and that is saying something. Why, then, are they not better known? There are two or three theories on that.

“Ain’t Got A Clue” is the Lurkers’ big hit, its spearhead, its great feat. The punk rock wave is on its way, heading for New York. As the first band ever signed to Beggars Banquet Records, it holds the whole essence of the excellent English label. Also check out “Just Thirteen” for more of the Lurkers combo. “I Don’t Need To Tell Her” does not stray an inch from the band’s line of conduct, and so you understand it will be the same throughout the album. Feel like you are listening to the Ramones? That’s right, they are the Lurkers’ reason for being. “Total War“, just as dorky, does not forget its glam rock. It must be said that the Lurkers were raised on the New Yorks Dolls.

“Hey You” is Ramones / Dictators in the making, an excellent single that takes all the clichés of 77′ punk and condenses them into three minutes. The Lurkers, like the greatest in the genre, were keen to deliver lyrics generic enough for their generation to identify with. And it calls out to its listener, telling them to revolt as it does with its excellent, unmistakably seventies solo. As for “Shadow“, it finally seems to make room for some Small Faces, but the Lurkers cannot help going back to choruses that go very fast.

“Then I Kicked Her” is another track that deals with the major subject of every album of the decade, this one included: girls. “Go, Go, Go“, in the same line, is a sort of tribute to the Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop”. Who will dare the combo? “Jenny” personalises things a little. “Time Of Year” tells us everything will be fine. “Self Destruct“, more British, is an outright success, proof that the Lurkers could also do something darker.

“It’s Quiet Here“, that silence being the band’s great dread, carries on at exactly the same pace, and then it is “Gerald”’s turn to whisper punk words in our ear. “I’m On Heat” nears the finale with something Rocket To Russia-ish. “Be My Prisoner“, finally, achieves the alliance between the hardness of the Stooges’ sound and the very particular phrasing of our friend Joey. The 1997 Captain Oi! version contains a few bonus tracks that are also worth a listen.

In the end, the Lurkers hold a prime spot in the history of US UK punk, and yet one may wonder whether its over-the-top Americanisation did not cost it a more prestigious place in the history books. As you surely know, I often champion American cheesiness over the seriousness of UK punk, so I can hardly complain about this very strong CBGB leaning. Still, there must have been some grumbling in London homes when this first record came out.

Tracklist: Fulham Fallout (LP, Beggars Banquet, 1978)

1. Ain’t Got A Clue !

2. I Don’t Need To Tell Her

3. Total War

4. Hey You

5. Shadow

6. Then I Kicked Her

7. Go, Go, Go

8. Jenny

9. Time Of Year

10. Self Destruct

11. It’s Quiet Here

12. Gerald

13.I’m On Heat

14. Be My Prisoner

Links:

Article on the Dictators

Link to all the anachronique articles