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Who sounds like



I don't think the Kinks can count.  They were contemporaries if ever the term applied; I mean, Shel Talmy had
them doing the same songs, for Pete's sake. :-)  They quite probably influenced each other to some degree, as
they moved similarly from pop to psychedelia to concept albums and so on.  In my albeit heretical opinion
"Arthur" is much more sophisticated than "Tommy" (but "Village Green Preservation Society" is no "Sell Out",
don't shoot me yet).

The Who were an inspiration to a lot of punk bands.  The Sex Pistols come to mind, despite PT's drunken "Who Are
You" bar brawl.  I supposed he was writing "New Song" while they were covering "Substitute" and generally
ripping off the whole smash-the-guitar thing, so I can see why he may have been a bit pissed.  Some of the
live-in-the-studio outtakes on "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle" (especially "Roadrunner") sound exactly like
the Who at the Young Vic.

Also, Pete was a big fan of the Clash, and I can see why.. if you watch the Clash's movie, Joe Strummer struts
around in one of those radiation-logo Who t-shirts for half the film.  "The Clash" sounds a lot like an angry
young Who; "London Calling" and later albums define their own style.

I once was at a show where I managed to start a conversation about the Who with members of bay area punk bands
Samiam, Jawbreaker and the Mr. T Experience, all of whom claimed to be big fans, though their music doesn't
directly show a Who influence.  Green Day bears striking similarities, especially in terms of stage presence If
you have a copy of "Kerplunk!" on CD, crank the volume before their cover of "My Generation" and you'll hear
Billie Joe whisper, "I think I can do Who..."

</random musings>

Wes

P.S. Bob Pridden? You really think so? :-)