Blank Generation,
Richard Hell and the Voidoids were at the forefront of the New York punk scene. Hell, who had done time with Television and Johnny Thunders the Heartbreakers, elevated the punk art form on the first album, but then struggled to follow it up with Destiny Street five years later. This was at a time when punk/New Wave bands (see The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads) were cranking albums out at about one (sometimes two) a year.
The expanded and remastered double disc reissue
Destiny Street Complete (Omnivore) features three versions of the same album 1982 s original
Destiny Street, a 2009 version (
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Ending with
Destiny Street Demos (1978-1980), filled with additional songs that didn’t make the final cut, every part of
Destiny Street Complete functions as its own individual work. The songs were never a problem, and the original album worked as it was. But all these alternate universe versions are equally valid as well, whether listened to discretely or as a whole. The album is the focus of the conclusion of our chat.
The occasion upon which we are having our first-ever conversation is a most interesting version of an album I love, but you apparently were not pleased with it.
Like last year, Record Store Day has adjusted its annual event amid the
coronavirus pandemic for a smooth and safe celebration. Announced in March, RSD is set for two dates this summer to allow more time for production and shipping that has been impacted by the pandemic.
As usual, the releases are broken down into a few different categories.
Exclusives are only being released for Record Store Day at indie record stores.
RSD First releases will be released at the event, but they might end up at other retailers or webstore in the future. Finally,
small run and regional titles are either only sold at specific stores or have a
Destiny Street Complete, a two-disc reimagining of Hell’s least favorite entry in his brief discography, consisting of four different versions of the album: 1. The original release; 2.
Destiny Street Repaired, a 2009 reinterpretation featuring new vocals and new guitar parts from Marc Ribot, avant jazzer Bill Frisell and original Voidoid Ivan Julian; 3.
Destiny Street Remixed, sonic surgery done to the original 24-track master tapes by Hell and
Destiny Street Demos (1978-1980), which should be self-explanatory. We took the set’s release as an opportunity to discuss his role in punk history and the record that’s finally in a form he’s comfortable with.