Generation X: Chiswick Demos

For insight into why Generation X (more here) were regarded by some of their punk peers as phonies, contrast this February 1977 demo for indie label Chiswick with their major label debut on Chrysalis from March of '78. On these earlier, rougher versions Billy Idol sings "Kleenex" as an attack on the National Front and Northern Ireland sectarianism and on "Ready, Steady, Go" he tells us that he's NOT in love with Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Stones and rock n' roll in general. By the time of their debut album Billy would be professing his love for all things rock n' roll (and those same sixties icons - even if in the past tense) and "Kleenex" wouldn't be about anything at all.

Track List
1. Kleenex
2. Listen
3. Your Generation
4. Ready, Steady, Go
5. Save My Life

(Thanks to nemsworld for the images)

Chiswick Demos link is in the comments.

Speaking of comments, let us know what you think of these early Gen X works.


Generation X albums are still cheap at Amazon!