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Glam punk (or glitter punk) is a music genre that mixes elements of glam rock with protopunk or punk rock (and sometimes garage rock).

The most influential glam punk band has been New York Dolls, whose androgynous image and raw, loose music style laid down a blueprint for the genre. Other notable acts who have been described as glam punk include Hanoi Rocks, Manic Street Preachers and D Generation.

1970s: New York City and Detroit

The first and most notable example of a glam punk band is the New York Dolls. They are often considered one of the creators of punk rock, although following the 1970s punk explosion in London, the New York Dolls were sometimes labelled glam in comparison. Iggy Pop is also considered by some as glam punk; likely due to his androgynous image and the protopunk sound of his band, The Stooges. Glam rock icon David Bowie produced some of Iggy Pop's most popular songs, such as "Lust for Life". Alice Cooper, one of the first glam rock artists, influenced bands such as Hanoi Rocks and the Sex Pistols. Most of the original American New Wave bands, especially those in New York City, showed at least a certain amount of glam influence. Some of the more obscure glam punk bands from this period — such as Hollywood Brats, the Jook, Milk ‘N’ Cookies and Jet — can be heard on the compilation CD Glitterbest: 20 Pre Punk 'n' Glam Terrace Stompers.

1980s: England and United States

The 1980s saw a re-emergence of the glam punk style with the band Hanoi Rocks. While playing in London, the group influenced several other bands who played in a similar style, such as Soho Roses, Kill City Dragons, Dogs D'Amour and the Babysitters. In the United States, a music style dubbed sleaze rock or sleaze glam was somewhat related to glam punk. Bands of this genre, such as Guns N' Roses, Faster Pussycat, and L.A. Guns were influenced by New York Dolls and Iggy Pop. Sleaze rock bands also incorporated hard rock and heavy metal elements not found in pure glam punk. Guns N' Roses showed their glam punk roots by devoting their album The Spaghetti Incident? almost entirely to punk rock cover versions.

1990s: international revivals

In the 1990s, the glam punk image was unpopular, but punk rock-influenced music was on the rise with grunge music acts such as Nirvana. Bands such as New York City's D Generation became popular in the underground scene and received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone magazine. However, the critical acclaim did not result in high album sales. Around the same time, Welsh band Manic Street Preachers played a similar musical style. Their 1991 debut Generation Terrorists drew influences from The Clash and Hanoi Rocks, and like in the case of D Generation, their album received critical acclaim, but poor album sales. Backyard Babies, from Sweden, were a prominent example of glam punk during the 1990s, with their album Total 13. Guitarist Dregen once described the Backyard Babies in an interview as "The missing link between KISS and the Ramones." Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks was a guest performer on one of the band's albums, and guitarist Dregen has recorded a live acoustic album with Dogs D'Amour vocalist Tyla. Since then, the glam punk genre has remained at an underground level, with newer bands around the world carrying on the sound.

Notes

1. Rolling Stone - New York Dolls
2. Iggy Pop @ Glampunk.org
3. John Lydon on Alice Cooper
4. Allmusic.com - Glitterbest
5. No Lunch - DGen review in Rolling Stone
6. MetroActive.com
7. Manics - Generation Terrorists
8. Dregen - Interview

External links

• GlamPunk.org
• Glitzine.net
• VeGlam.com
• Glam Punk band directory

• Punk
• Punk genres