--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Punk-rock records came out and you bought…" description: "\"Punk-rock records came out and you bought whatever you could find. But Devo didn't happen for another three years. Sex Pistols didn't tour the States u..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f47/michael-stipe-6714_cbgb_punk-rock-records-came-out-and-you-bough_2973241.png" --- # Punk-rock records came out and you bought whatever you… ![“Punk-rock records came out and you bought whatever you could find. But Devo didn't happen for another three years. Sex Pistols didn't tour the States until '78. At that time, for me, it was really about CBGB, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, the Ramones, and Television.” quote by Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f47/michael-stipe-6714_cbgb_punk-rock-records-came-out-and-you-bough_2973241.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f47/michael-stipe-6714_cbgb_punk-rock-records-came-out-and-you-bough_2973241.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f47/michael-stipe-6714_cbgb_punk-rock-records-came-out-and-you-bough_2973241.png) > “Punk-rock records came out and you bought whatever you could find. But Devo didn't happen for another three years. Sex Pistols didn't tour the States until '78. At that time, for me, it was really about CBGB, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, the Ramones, and Television.” [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on the early punk scene, noting that while many records were available, iconic bands like Devo and Sex Pistols arrived later, and personal influences centered on CBGB and specific artists. **In simple terms:** Early punk was about local scenes and specific bands, not all big names at once. Key Takeaway Recognize the local roots of cultural movements. Themes music history subculture influence nostalgia Mood reflective nostalgic Type historical personal cultural When to use this quote - college radio playlists - music journalism - band formation - concert attendance - archival research Key Concepts DIY ethic cultural diffusion scene formation Questions to Reflect On - How did local venues shape your musical taste? - What other bands defined your early punk experience? A Different Perspective The recollection may overlook other regional scenes and diverse influences beyond the highlighted artists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Pistols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pistols/) [Punk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punk/) [Punk rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punk-rock/) [Rocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rocks/) [Sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [I don't find R.E.M. to be nihilistic. There is a constant undertone of joyous optimism. I'm not going to kill myself to Patti Smith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/i-don-t-find-r-e-m-to-be-nihilistic-there-is-a-constant-undertone-of/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [I think there were early critics who wanted us to change the world because the Sex Pistols failed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/i-think-there-were-early-critics-who-wanted-us-to-change-the-world/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [ \[Columbia House\] magazines were how I found out about the punk world going on in New York. Because of what I read, at the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/columbia-house-magazines-were-how-i-found-out-about-the-punk-world/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [CBGB represents a lot to New York City and to underground rock and to new wave and post-punk and whatever. But, you know, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/cbgb-represents-a-lot-to-new-york-city-and-to-underground-rock-and-to/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [“Fame requires every kind of excess. I mean true fame, a devouring neon, not the somber renown of waning statesmen or chinless kings. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/fame-requires-every-kind-of-excess-i-mean-true-fame-a-devouring-neon-2/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When I was growing up, I fetishised New York City. It was the land of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, it was where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/when-i-was-growing-up-i-fetishised-new-york-city-it-was-the-land-of/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [ I think that music is a very, very powerful thing, especially when you have a movement like this \[CBGB club\] to shed new light… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-greene/i-think-that-music-is-a-very-very-powerful-thing-especially-when-you/) [Ashley Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-greene/) > [Just selfishly, I wanted to be associated with something as synonymous with cool and cutting edge and artistic as CBGB. People are aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-galecki/just-selfishly-i-wanted-to-be-associated-with-something-as-synonymous/) [Johnny Galecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-galecki/) > [ That was an amazing time period \[ CBGB filming\] to transport to during filming - the clothes, the music, the lifestyle - it really… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-greene/that-was-an-amazing-time-period-cbgb-filming-to-transport-to-during/) [Ashley Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-greene/) > [We were a really crazy band. This was in '73. I had my hair real short with a white stripe down the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/we-were-a-really-crazy-band-this-was-in-73-i-had-my-hair-real-short/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) > [CBGB was a wild place, ... The first time I ever played there was in 1987, I think, with my hardcore band, Scream. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/cbgb-was-a-wild-place-the-first-time-i-ever-played-there-was-in-1987/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [I own a copy of the original 'Talking Heads' by Alan Bennett, which I purchased many years ago shortly after they were first broadcast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/i-own-a-copy-of-the-original-talking-heads-by-alan-bennett-which-i/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-byrne/this-ain-t-no-party-this-ain-t-no-disco-this-ain-t-no-fooling-around/) [David Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-byrne/) > [There are lots of guns and action in my drawings, and part of that is just to make them more interesting. Because you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-pettibon/there-are-lots-of-guns-and-action-in-my-drawings-and-part-of-that-is/) [Raymond Pettibon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-pettibon/) > [When I was little, people like Talking Heads were on the radio. There was something geeky yet groundbreaking about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bat-for-lashes/when-i-was-little-people-like-talking-heads-were-on-the-radio-there/) [Bat for Lashes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bat-for-lashes/) ## More by Michael Stipe > [We don't get groupies.We get teenagers who want to read us their poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/we-don-t-get-groupies-we-get-teenagers-who-want-to-read-us-their/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [ At the \[teenage\] time, I did have an inkling of my sexuality. And I had an inkling that I was different from other people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/at-the-teenage-time-i-did-have-an-inkling-of-my-sexuality-and-i-had/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [I don't find R.E.M. to be nihilistic. There is a constant undertone of joyous optimism. I'm not going to kill myself to Patti Smith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/i-don-t-find-r-e-m-to-be-nihilistic-there-is-a-constant-undertone-of/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [ I simply constructed a project to try to snap Kurt \[Cobain\] out of a frame of mind. I sent him a plane ticket and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/i-simply-constructed-a-project-to-try-to-snap-kurt-cobain-out-of-a/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [I was vulnerable every day. Every night that I stepped on stage I was laying myself open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/i-was-vulnerable-every-day-every-night-that-i-stepped-on-stage-i-was/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [We're absolutely American and distinctly so, I think. That's part of what people respond to outside of this country, part of the reason that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/we-re-absolutely-american-and-distinctly-so-i-think-that-s-part-of/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [ \[Columbia House\] magazines were how I found out about the punk world going on in New York. Because of what I read, at the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/columbia-house-magazines-were-how-i-found-out-about-the-punk-world/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [I'm tired of being this solemn poet of the masses, the enigma shrouded in a mystery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/i-m-tired-of-being-this-solemn-poet-of-the-masses-the-enigma-shrouded/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [Frankly I'm not great with heroin addicts. I tried heroin, but it was by accident. I'm not great with that level of substance abuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/frankly-i-m-not-great-with-heroin-addicts-i-tried-heroin-but-it-was/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [The whole punk ethic was do-it-yourself, and I've always been very literal, especially as a kid. When they said that anybody can do this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/the-whole-punk-ethic-was-do-it-yourself-and-i-ve-always-been-very/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [They spoke truth and a lot of people listened… that voice, Kurt we miss you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/they-spoke-truth-and-a-lot-of-people-listened-that-voice-kurt-we-miss/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [A wise man once said-'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave,'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/a-wise-man-once-said-the-skill-in-attending-a-party-is-knowing-when/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [They always want me to play myself and that's a big snooze.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/they-always-want-me-to-play-myself-and-that-s-a-big-snooze/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [Anything you do as a group is fraught with compromise... But everyone 's got to do that, right? It's part of being a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/anything-you-do-as-a-group-is-fraught-with-compromise-but-everyone-s/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) > [To be called an elder statesman is so unbelievably insulting. Brad Pitt is exactly three years younger than me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-stipe/to-be-called-an-elder-statesman-is-so-unbelievably-insulting-brad/) [Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) [Explore all 98 Michael Stipe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-stipe/) ## More Cbgb quotes > [CBGB represents a lot to New York City and to underground rock and to new wave and post-punk and whatever. But, you know, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/cbgb-represents-a-lot-to-new-york-city-and-to-underground-rock-and-to/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [CBGB was a wild place, ... The first time I ever played there was in 1987, I think, with my hardcore band, Scream. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/cbgb-was-a-wild-place-the-first-time-i-ever-played-there-was-in-1987/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [ That was an amazing time period \[ CBGB filming\] to transport to during filming - the clothes, the music, the lifestyle - it really… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-greene/that-was-an-amazing-time-period-cbgb-filming-to-transport-to-during/) [Ashley Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-greene/) > [Just selfishly, I wanted to be associated with something as synonymous with cool and cutting edge and artistic as CBGB. People are aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-galecki/just-selfishly-i-wanted-to-be-associated-with-something-as-synonymous/) [Johnny Galecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-galecki/) > [ I think that music is a very, very powerful thing, especially when you have a movement like this \[CBGB club\] to shed new light… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-greene/i-think-that-music-is-a-very-very-powerful-thing-especially-when-you/) [Ashley Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-greene/) > [When I was growing up, I fetishised New York City. It was the land of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, it was where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/when-i-was-growing-up-i-fetishised-new-york-city-it-was-the-land-of/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [“Fame requires every kind of excess. I mean true fame, a devouring neon, not the somber renown of waning statesmen or chinless kings. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/fame-requires-every-kind-of-excess-i-mean-true-fame-a-devouring-neon-2/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [We were a really crazy band. This was in '73. I had my hair real short with a white stripe down the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-smith/we-were-a-really-crazy-band-this-was-in-73-i-had-my-hair-real-short/) [Rex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-smith/) Browse all 9 Cbgb quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Punk-rock records came out and you bought whatever you could find. But Devo didn't happen for another three years. Sex Pistols didn't tour the States until '78. 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