Gary Fielding

Comentário de Gary Fielding, da revista Beat Of the Street, no encarte da versão cd (1989) de meu “Punk’s Not Dead” (1982):

“‘PUNK’S NOT DEAD?’ the cynics laughed, and how they choked on their hysterical false laughter as the new wave of real Punk smashed into their faces. By late 1979/early 1980 the trendy Art students and their ilk were tired of their fashion as they moved from Punk onto the New Romantics craze. For some though punk had always been more than just a fashion and style, it had been a way of life, a way of changing a decrepit music scene, so much for ‘Punk is Dead’… wishful thinking maybe?

The Exploited, more than any other band typified punk of the time, and confirmed and gelled together the strands of punk in the early 80’s, hence why many people view this album as THE punk album and if not, only second to the Sex Pistols ‘Never Mind the Bollocks’. The album sold over 150,000 copies… Punk is Dead… are you sure mate??

On it’s initial release amid the trendy scoffing the album did actually receive a five star review from Sound’s Gary Bushell, and a healthy spell in the indie charts, as well as making No. 20 in the UK album chart. Today this album is still as relevant as it was when it was released, if not more so, and has earned The Exploited a place in rock and punk history, like it or not, but nevertheless true. This album and The Exploited will be more important in ten years than any of their now so called ‘trendy-indie’ peers… take my word on it chum… Punk is Dead?… Only time will tell!!!”