Ramones: Pleasant Dreams
US magazine
September 29th, 1981
"Punk rock's Ramones would like to say Pleasant Dreams to pap music"
The Ramones complain aloud about the commercial pap they feel permeates rock'n'roll radio. "We Want the Airwaves," a song from their new album, tells just how disgusted they feel. Says Joey Ramone: "Maybe it'll wake up some people and penetrate a few minds. It'll be controversial, I think."
Listeners may already be taking sides. This latest LP, Pleasant Dreams, was one of the most-often-played new albums during the first week of its release.
It's been seven years since the Ramones began setting trends with their catchy, unpretentious rock. Yet they still find themselves relegated to the fringes of music-world acceptance. These shaggy-haired, leather-clad punks have launched imitators, toured the world, made albums and won the hearts and minds of some critics, who've hailed them as rock's second coming. Even so, the Ramones are still waiting for their big break.
They're bitter. "The state of rock'n'roll on the radio is pretty pathetic," says Joey. "Everything's gotten into a mould. Growing up on radio like I did, it's sad to see what's happened. To me, radio is life, and it's become automated. It preaches and dictates what people should listen to. It's so calculated. If anything's unique or real or has guts or soul, there's no place for it,"
The Ramones started in 1974 as an antidote to slick commercialism. The members of the band-no blood relation among them-grew up together in Forest Hills, and decided to learn some instruments to form this group. "It came pretty instinctively," says lanky Johnny Ramone. "It's easy. There are only so many chords."
In the midst of a movement of groups such as Talking Heads, Television and The Patti Smith Group, the Ramones had the fewest pretensions and the most fun. Their songs are short spurts of humor and simplicity, though Johnny says they aren't really that short. "They're actually long songs, but we do them fast. Most bands stretch songs so they only have to do five or six per album."
The songs are message-free ditties that encompass every emotion from "I met her at the 7-11. Now I'm in Seventh Heaven" to "The KKK took my baby away." ("That's not to be taken to heavy," says Joey. "It's a love song.") They're one of a kind, which is why the Ramones don't fit into Top 40 rock.
"There's a definite need for good rock'n'roll," says Joey. "Most people would rather go the easy way-the commercial way-make the money and do what's called for. There's a handful of bands who do what they feel should be done."
"We won't compromise," says Johnny.
Says Joey, "Our audience is broad. There's a need that nobody's filling for those people. They're starved. You go to a rock'n'roll show, you want to get your tensions and frustrations out and leave with something you'll remember the rest of your life, something that's really gonna shake you up."
Things are looking up for the Ramones. Their very silly, very bad 1979 movie, Rock and Roll High School, has become a midnight cult film, and their albums are achieving early-vintage status. What's in there future? "Oh, we'll keep touring, keep recording, do more and better," says Johnny. "Nothing much."