The classic Ramones song inspired by a comic book
While punk rock can be traced back to The Stooges, The Velvet Underground, and other so-called “proto-punk” bands of the late 1960s, the Ramones are often cited as the first cut-and-dry punk rock group. From ragged clothes to provocative lyrics, Ramones were the quintessential American punks. Shortly after, Sex Pistols would redefine the movement for the Brits.
Ramones first hit the New York scene with their eponymous debut record in April 1976. Their now-iconic aesthetic of torn Levi’s, tight T-shirts, chains, leather jackets and jet-black mops would perfectly frame the anarchistic punk attitude. Of course, this hedonistic visage was nothing new for rock ‘n’ roll, but Ramones laid the milestone and popularised the term “punk”.
Although the above-mentioned proto-punk groups would seem to be the most tangible of luminaries for both Sex Pistols and Ramones, both groups cited The Beatles as a prime influence during their respective rises to fame and fortune.
In an interview published in the Big Issue, Sex Pistols’ founding bassist Glen Matlock recalled how The Beatles triggered the band’s genesis. “John Lennon’s vocal on ‘Twist and Shout ‘is fantastic,” he said. “It’s a real slice of rock and roll. I heard it, and I thought I’d immediately start the Sex Pistols.”
Meanwhile, Ramones were bound to the Fab Four by more elusive means. Although the New York punk rockers shared the Ramone surname and an uncanny resemblance, they weren’t actually related. As it transpires, they named themselves after Paul Ramon, the pseudonym Paul McCartney sometimes uses to sign into hotels anonymously.
When it comes to music, however, Ramones seemed to do all within their power to distinguish themselves from The Beatles. In place of complex, psychedelic compositions were simple, punchy songs fraught with candid and aggressive references to war, drugs, Nazism, prostitution and even The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – and that’s just the first album.
Throughout the late 1970s, Ramones kept pulses high, remaining loyal to their punchy formula – why fix what ain’t broke? That said, in 1977, Sire offered the band up to $30,000 to record their third album. This substantial raise on prior budgets allowed Ramones to create their cleanest record yet, Rocket to Russia.
The album was noted for its improved production and increased variety of tempo and texture: a more melodic take on the abrasive punk sound. The album’s lead single, ‘Sheena is a Punk Rocker’, became an instant classic following its arrival and consolidated Ramones’ position as punk flagbearers.
When writing ‘Sheena is a Punk Rocker’, Joey Ramone was inspired by the popular comic book heroine Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. He was convinced the jungle-bred savage would align with the animalistic traits of inner-city punk music.
“To me, ‘Sheena’ was the first surf/punk rock/teenage rebellion song,” Joey once said of the hit single. “I combined Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, with the primalness of punk rock. Then Sheena is brought into the modern day: ‘But she just couldn’t stay/she had to break away/well New York City really has it all.’ It was funny because all the girls in New York seemed to change their name to Sheena after that. Everybody was a Sheena.”
Listen to Ramones’ comic book-inspired single, ‘Sheena is a Punk Rocker’ below.
