When it comes to the formation of hardcore punk and the storied careers that we’ve explored since this vicious form of rock music was birthed during this column, most, if not all, of these bands have a select few forerunners to thank. Sure, some bands popularized the genre and went on to become its poster children, but they may not have been its origin. When it comes to the earliest forms of hardcore punk, artists like Wendy O. Williams and her band Plasmatics should be one of the first examples that come to every punk’s mind.
Formed in 1977 when Yale graduate Rod Swenson set out to create artistic, countercultural performances through experimental theater. One of his series, Captain Kink’s Sex Fantasy Theater, put out an ad for auditions. Williams responded, a band was formed, and the Plasmatics were born. The band survived several EPs and five studio albums throughout their timeless career, but for this week’s Golden Age Thursday, we’re going way back to the beginning. This remastered concert footage from 1979, a year before the Plasmatics’ debut album, captures the artsy yet undeniable and unconventional stage presence of one of the earliest examples of hardcore punk. Williams is an electrifying performer, and her legacy is remembered through the daring concerts and singular punk on display in this rare footage.
