Generation X - Discography 1978-1981

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Generation X - Discography 1978-1981

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Although not as well as known as some of their peers (the Clash, the Sex Pistols, the Damned, etc.), first wave U.K. punk rockers Generation X burst onto the scene at the same time as the others. And while they enjoyed some moderate success in their homeland, Generation X would become better-known as the launching pad for their singer, Billy Idol, who would go on to achieve great commercial success come the '80s. Originally formed in 1976, Generation X (which was named after a book that focused on battles between the Mods and the Rockers during the '60s) was comprised of guitarist Bob Andrews, bassist Tony James, drummer Mark Laff, and fronted by Idol. The group was eventually signed up by Chrysalis Records, resulting in a self-titled debut album in 1978 (the U.S. and U.K. versions contained different track listings), as Generation X became one of the first punk bands to appear on the popular British TV music program Top of the Pops.

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Generation X - Discography 1978-1981

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As far as '80s pop singers go, Billy Idol was supposed to be the dangerous one. Prince was the artist, Madonna was the sex object, Cyndi Lauper was the quirky girl, Michael Jackson wrote m.f.-ing Thriller. But Idol, man, that guy was badass. He wore leather and had spiky hair! Swoon! He was like the pop star version of a punk rocker.

Which is fitting since before he became a solo sensation, Idol was in a pop punk band called Generation X. If Idol was too punk for the pop singers, then he was too much of a pop singer for the punks. After three underappreciated records, Idol split from the group to find solo success (One of his early hits, "Dancing With Myself," was originally a Gen-X tune too). All of this is a shame, though, as the Gen-X discography is actually pretty good.

Generation X veers more towards the pop spectrum than most British punk bands were doing at the time, thankfully. In fact, the U.S. version of the album opens with a cover of John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth." Then again, Lennon was Joe Strummer's favorite Beatle, so maybe it's not that surprising of a cover choice. Either way, the band does a great job with the tune, lending a little bit of a sneer to Lennon's lyrics. Other tracks, like "Wild Dub" and "Kiss Me Deadly," toy with what punk could be despite its quickly codifying philosophy.

Still, though, Generation X has a few strikes against it. Like Idol himself, the record is divided between what it wants to be. Its greatest crime in the '70s was sounding professionally arranged. But some of these tunes drop the punk card constantly, to the point that it gets kind of annoying. Punk songs about being totally punk only go so far.
But while some of the songs are a little pandering, it's still an excellent slab of pop-punk (and "One Hundred Punks" is a better up the punx anthem than anything the Casualties ever did). Although Generation X probably wouldn't even be discussed nowadays were it not for Idol's later fame, the band really does deserve a spot in the punk rock canon. Generation X, as well as its follow-up Valley of the Dolls, is a stellar pop-punk release. ~ Jelone, punknews.org

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Generation X - Discography 1978-1981

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Generation X - Discography 1978-1981

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The deeper I get into Billy Idol's discography, the harder it is for me to reconcile his solo work with that of his previous outlet, Generation X. Idol was "punk," with quotation marks, but Gen-X, that band was a legitimately solid pop-punk act. The group's second album, Valley of the Dolls, makes a case of the band's relevance. Produced by Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter, himself no stranger to finding the right balance between pop and rock, Dolls is a crucial listen for those looking to explore British punk's history.

Depending on one's perspective, Gen-X was either a little too clean for a punk band or a little too gritty for a pop rock band. Both perspectives are valid. Either way, though, Valley of the Dolls is the band's hardest hitting record. Opener "Running with the Boss Sound" and "Night of the Cadillacs" deliver a perfect pop-punk one-two punch. "Paradise West" is a little too maudlin and goes on a little too long, but "Fridays Angels" is such an infectious little rocker that the record still flows.

That said, the record is not without a few flaws. Aside from the aforementioned "Paradise West," "Valley of the Dolls" has a show tunesy quality to it that doesn't really jive with the record. Same goes for epic closer "The Prime of Kenny Silvers." Still, "English Dream" comes in between the two, that's one of the catchiest pop-punk songs of all time.

While Gen-X never influenced generations like the Clash or the Sex Pistols did, there's still something to be said for the band's mix of pop and punk elements. The band's first two records really are dynamite. ~ Jelone, punknews.org

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Generation X - Discography 1978-1981

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Generation X - Discography 1978-1981

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Considering it contains one of Billy Idol's best songs ever, you'd think Kiss Me Deadly would be the best Generation X album. That's right, "Dancing With Myself" originated here. You'd also think that since the record features Terry Chimes (The Clash), Steven Jones (The Sex Pistols) and John McGeoch (Public Image Ltd., Siouxsie and the Banshees), that this shit would be gold. That it would turn Generation X into a punk supergroup.

Not so much.

Generation X effectively broke up in 1980 when drummer Mark Laff and guitarist Bob Andrews quit. The band went through retooling (and rebranding; Kiss Me Deadly is technically accredited to "Gen X") and recorded two records, the abandoned Sweet Revenge album and this one. While Idol took one last stab at keeping the Generation X name alive here, he was already on his way to a solo pop star career. In fact, he launched himself into stardom later that year with the Don't Stop EP, which included reworked versions of Deadly ditties "Dancing With Myself" and "Untouchables." This album never really had a chance.

Generation X always emphasized the pop in pop-punk, but Kiss Me Deadly captures Idol right before he went into full on '80s pop mode. It's ridiculous that the guy could write some amazing punk tunes in the '70s and then go on to sing "Eyes Without a Face." As a consequence, a lot of the material here feels defanged at best, forgettable at worst, which is even more disappointing considering the pedigree here.

Still, there are a handful of catchy tunes to recommend. "Dancing With Myself" was obviously meant to be a hit even back then. "Happy People" dabbles ever so slightly in dub. "Triumph" proves that, however fleetingly, Idol could still fuse pop and punk into an enticing blend.

Overall, though, Kiss Me Deadly is a disappointing conclusion to Generation X's discography. Collectors might be interested in it, but it's real worth is as a curio, not an album. "Dancing With Myself" is an insanely catchy song, but you could always just go for Don't Stop. That one comes with a sweet glamor poster of Idol. ~ Jelone, punknews.org

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Generation X - Discography 1978-1981

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