Uncle Monk

So, as you guys can probably guess- bluegrass isn't really my thing. But every once in a while a bluegrass artist or track comes along that takes me by surprise. I suppose it might be because I've gone nuts for anything even remotely folky lately. Because I'm a depraved individual.

Pay attention. This gets interesting.

So, the lovely gentleman there called himself "Tommy." He turned 59 years old today. His birth name is Erdélyi Tamás. But to generations of ruffians he has been known as a different name... a more appropriate name. Oh, and he has "brothers."

That's our boy, second from the left.

That's right, that man beautifully playing the mandolin...

... is Tommy Ramone.

He's the last living original member of The Ramones. The band that spearheaded punk in America and inspired countless people to learn three or four chords, write a bunch of really short songs, get on stage, and just play their hearts out. They inspired nearly all of the defining acts of punk rock and gave a whole generation of people a voice. 

A voice that's been used by racists, anti-racists, fascists, communists, disaffected suburban youths, the happy, the angry, the sad the list goes on and on. Punk rock changed the world. So, without the further ado- the best song you'll probably ever hear on my blog.