After establishing his reputation as founder of legendary bands the Heartbreakers and Television, Richard Hell went onto to lead the Voidoids which included Robert Quine (Lou Reed, Tom Waits, John Zorn), Ivan Julian (Matthew Sweet) and Marc Bell (aka Marky Ramone). Along with the Ramones, Television, Blondie and Talking Heads, Hell and his band helped to define the early New York "first wave" punk scene. The group's landmark 1977 debut Blank Generation is an iconic album chock full of attitude and blistering performances that has influenced countless rock bands in its wake. It clearly followed its own template and still sounds as unique and abrasive today. The title cut became a slogan and an anthem and later was emulated by the Sex Pistols for their track, "Pretty Vacant" while additional standouts come in the form of "New Pleasure," "Betrayal Takes Two" and "Another World."
