10 Best Singles From The Golden Age Of Punk

If there is one song alone that conjures up everything that was essential about the golden years of punk, it is 'New Rose'. From Rat Scabies' thundering drum intro to Brian James' blistering guitar, the ferocity of the band's attack and the 100 mph velocity were the total essence of punk's rejection of all the safe norms that had preceded it.

The Damned were the first punk band to release a single and were as different from their contemporaries as they were from the music that had preceded punk. Frontman Dave Vanian had established a unique identity from the start as had bass player Captain Sensible. The band was comprised of four distinct individuals - no-one was making up the numbers here.

As with other bands on this list, The Damned had more than one contender for entry - 'Neat Neat Neat' was a close second. They've been able to morph their sound as the years have passed in ways that enable them to stay relevant and vital without endlessly re-treading their back catalogue. These days their music sits somewhere between psychedelia, classic pop and punk, but they still play New Rose with all the reckless abandon of their 1976 incarnation.