The year was 2002; to be precise, July 2002. A year earlier, Joey had left us; Dee Dee had passed away a few weeks ago.

There is a strong desire in the world to remember the Punk brothers; I feel the need to add Ramones for those few who are not familiar with the legendary career of the ruffians from the Big Apple.

The Swedish label "White Jazz" releases this time bomb: nineteen chosen tracks. Nineteen covers mostly faithful to the original blasts.

It falls upon four young ladies from Sweden to open the dance (or better yet, the mosh pit): Sahara Hotnights is their grim name. They dive headfirst into the track "Rockaway Beach". Two intense minutes, with that vocal refrain that fills me every time with emotions, with decades-old shivers never put to rest.

We happily jump to Sort Sol with the absolute anthem "Blitzkrieg Bop": and what the hell do I have to write about this track...I ditched the computer and started moshing alone in my house, with the volume to break walls and glass...HEY! HO! LET'S GO...

The Hellacopters couldn't miss out, as they choose a song not among the most famous: "What'd Ya Do?". But their message is clear: to hit hard on the instruments, with indifference, frenzy, and fun. Just as the Ramones did for decades. Almost randomly, I pick the Dictators, another band worthy of participating in the tribute, who set up "I Just Wanna Have Something To Do": the same discourse applies as before. I can't say much about this track, with those occasionally detached guitars, with those choruses that are pure auditory wonder.

"Carbona Not Glue" (another anthology title) is paid tribute to by the Toilet Boys: moving at a thousand miles an hour, for a worthy and rampant race without any brakes. One of my favorite tracks from the prodigious collection.

I conclude with the Backyard Babies and the epic "Pet Semetary": another jolt, a new flaming explosion...I don’t wanna be buried in a Pet Semetary. Holy Madonna, how beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are also Danko Jones, Wayne Kramer, and many others.

"To White Jazz - You Rule!" (Quote. Joey Ramone 2000).

It's only fair to dedicate it to Pinhead and gnagnera...I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES...

Ad Maiora.

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