Punk or What

• Artist: Bernie Tormé
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Total Time: 66:15
• Genre: Rock

Review

Listeners familiar only with Bernie Tormé's career among the greatest metal guitarists of his (or any other) generation might well be in for a major surprise as this disc slaps onto the player. Or maybe they won't. Recorded for the most part during 1977, as the very first incarnation of his eponymous band threw itself into the then-emergent punk sound, Punk or What combines a wealth of often brilliant (if occasionally schizophrenic) demo recordings with the band's debut contributions to the semi-seminal Live at the Vortex live album, to paint a portrait of a band that had a far greater grip on its future and its past (an excellent cover of "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere") than it did on its punky present. Put it this way, it was no surprise whatsoever when Tormé turned up in Ian Gillan's band. He'd been auditioning for it for two years! That said, Tormé's songwriting throughout this collection is powerful and bold, and the tempos were certainly fast and deceptive enough to keep the most discriminating punk audience happily pogoing all night long. ~ Dave Thompson, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere [#]	Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend	Bernie Tormé	(5:12)
Don't Look Back [#]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:45)
One Night Stands [#]	Bernie Tormé, Phil Spalding	Bernie Tormé	(2:56)
Secret Service	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:18)
It's Alright [#]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(5:10)
Rebel [#]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:30)
City's Falling [#]	Bernie Tormé, Phil Spalding	Bernie Tormé	(1:53)
Tear It Down [#]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(2:39)
Instant Impact	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:51)
(Just Another) Weekend	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:42)
Dance [#]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:14)
All Nite	Bernie Tormé, Phil Spalding	Bernie Tormé	(3:42)
Trying Again [#]	Bernie Tormé, Phil Spalding	Bernie Tormé	(2:58)
I'm Not Ready [Demo Version]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:02)
Instant Impact [Demo Version]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:01)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Looking for Action [*]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:03)
Don't Look Back [*]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(4:19)
I'm Not Ready [*]	Bernie Tormé	Bernie Tormé	(3:06)
Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere [*]	Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend	Bernie Tormé	(3:54)

Credits

Bernie Tormé (Guitar), Bernie Tormé (Liner Notes), Bernie Tormé (Vocals), Jeff White (Photography), Mark Harrison (Drums), Mark Harrison (Vocals), Phil Spalding (Vocals), Phil Spalding (Bass)

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