The Only Ones

Led by the raffish and slightly scuzzy romance-obsessed Peter Perrett, The Only Ones were one of the punk era's most underrated bands. Not as confrontational as The Sex Pistols, as politically indulgent as The Clash, or as stripped-down as The Ramones, The Only Ones played not-so-fast guitar rock that sounded deeply indebted to The New York Dolls and other mid-'70s proto-punks. Singing his intelligently crafted pop songs in a semi-tuneful whine of a voice and backed by a band that effectively combined youthful exuberance with gracefully aging veterans (non-punk drummer Mike Kellie had done time with early-'70s clod-rockers Spooky Tooth, bassist Alan Mair was nearly 40), Perrett was an astute chronicler of the vagaries of modern, dysfunctional love. Despite a career that lasted from 1978-1981 and one certifiable "hit" song to their credit (the brilliant "Another Girl, Another Planet"), The Only Ones became the archetypal contenders that never broke big, despite assurances from fans and critics that they couldn't miss.

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